2015 Team Preview: San Diego Chargers

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Updated on July 2, 2015 1:56PM EST

STATE OF THE FRANCHISE

The 2014 Chargers started the season strong, winning five straight after a narrow Week 1 defeat, and quarterback Philip Rivers was an early favorite for MVP when he became the first quarterback to post a passer rating above 120 in five straight games. Ultimately, the team's season was derailed by injuries, and when the Chargers were knocked off by division rival Kansas City in Week 17, they failed to make the playoffs for the fourth time in five years.

As usual, the offense was led by Rivers, who threw for 4,286 yards and 31 touchdowns. With the Bolts bringing back most of the core of their pass-catchers in 2015, it's safe to expect more of the same from the quarterback this season. In fact, his production might actually improve because the offense should be more balanced, with the drafting of the ultra-talented Melvin Gordon at tailback.

The Chargers couldn't count on their running game for much last season, as injuries to all three of their top running backs meant that the relatively unknown Branden Oliver was forced to take over primary ball-carrying duties. While Oliver performed admirably at times, a rash of injuries to the offensive line severely limited his productivity. The addition of Gordon and a revamped line promises to translate into a substantial increase in production at running back in 2015.

The Chargers bring back a very capable core group of pass-catchers in wideouts Keenan Allen and Malcom Floyd, along with tight end

STATE OF THE FRANCHISE

The Chargers bring back a very capable core group of pass-catchers in wideouts Keenan Allen and Malcom Floyd, along with tight end Antonio Gates. All three figure to enjoy productivity again this season while working with Rivers. The Chargers did part ways with slot man Eddie Royal in the offseason, but his production should be easily replaced by the free agent signing of Stevie Johnson.

The defensive front seven looks like it should get better this season as Melvin Ingram and Manti Te'o should both be healthy after missing significant amounts of time last year. In the secondary, the re-signing of Brandon Flowers is huge, and if Jason Verrett can play a full season after missing 10 games as a rookie, the corners will be tremendous. Add the continued leadership and productivity of Eric Weddle at free safety, and the team's defense could rebound.

On special teams, Nick Novak is a reliable kicker, and Mike Scifres is still considered one of the better punters in the league despite missing the last two games of the year with a fractured clavicle. On the other hand, the return game wasn't very good in 2014, so the team acquired the dynamic Jacoby Jones in the hopes of improving that area.

OFFSEASON MOVES

Key Acquisitions

Melvin Gordon – RB, Wisconsin (ROUND 1, 15th overall)
Brings explosiveness to the running game after setting an FBS record for career rushing average with 7.79 yards per carry.

Stevie Johnson – WR, 49ers
Looking to rebound from a disappointing season with the 49ers after having been productive during his tenure with the Bills.

Jacoby Jones – WR, Ravens
Should improve the return game as he averaged 30.6 yards per kickoff return last year.

Denzel Perryman – LB, Miami (ROUND 2, 48th overall)
A big hitter and a run-stuffer, he led the Hurricanes with 110 tackles in 2014.

Austin Pettis – WR, Rams
He was productive at times in St. Louis, but joins a crowded group of receivers.

Key Losses

Ryan Mathews – RB, Eagles
The former first-round pick was effective when healthy, but often struggled to stay on the field.

Eddie Royal – WR, Bears
Racked up 15 TDs over the past two seasons, but the duo of Johnson and Jones should fill the void created by his departure.

Nick Hardwick – C, Retired
After 11 seasons, the heart and soul of the team's offensive line is calling it a career.

TEAM NOTES

Melvin Gordon LOOKS TO LIVE UP TO THE HYPE
Coming off a monster senior season at Wisconsin in which he rushed for 2,587 yards while recording a dozen 100-yard games, including six 200-yard efforts, Gordon brings tremendous big play potential to San Diego. He possesses the kind of speed to break long runs that his predecessor Ryan Mathews sorely lacked, and is widely considered to be a perfect fit for the Chargers' offense, which returns change-of-pace back Danny Woodhead. After the Bolts traded up to nab Gordon, plenty will be expected – in both real and fantasy terms – of the player who's already being called a favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

POTENTIAL CONTRACT YEAR FOR RIVERS
Despite Philip Rivers putting up stellar numbers in 2014, there was talk that the Chargers might flirt with the idea of trading him to Tennessee in a package to obtain the rights to draft Marcus Mariota. This was due in part to the fact that Rivers is entering the final year of his current contract and has expressed some concern about not wanting to play in Los Angeles if the team moves there after the upcoming season. The Chargers ultimately decided to stick with the veteran signal-caller in 2015 and are reportedly exploring the possibility of signing the 33-year-old to a contract extension. In any case, if a deal isn't struck before the season, Rivers could well be even more focused than usual on putting up big numbers in what could be a very lucrative walk season.

CAN THEY STAY HEALTHY?
Every team deals with injuries on an annual basis, but in 2014 the Chargers were hit particularly hard. By the second half of Week 5 action, the Bolts had already lost Ryan Mathews, Danny Woodhead and Donald Brown and were down to their fourth-string running back. The offensive line didn't fare much better, with 11 different starters manning the line last year. In the process, the Chargers became the only team since the merger in 1970 to start five different players at center in a single season. On the defensive side of the ball, rookie Jason Verrett missed 10 games, Melvin Ingram missed seven and Manti Te'o missed six. The team also lost Keenan Allen for the final two games, and Philip Rivers was reportedly dealing with sore ribs and a back injury as the season wound down, although he didn't actually miss any time. If the Bolts can stay even a little bit healthier in 2015, it isn't a stretch to think that they can win one or two more games and thus get back into the playoff structure.

VALUE METER

Rising: Entering a potential walk season, Philip Rivers will throw to a talented and diverse group of receivers, while benefiting from a more balanced attack thanks to an improved running game.

Declining:Antonio Gates is coming off a strong 2014 campaign, but he will be entering his 13th season in the league, and age might finally start to catch up with him

Sleeper: After a rather pedestrian season in San Francisco, Stevie Johnson is primed to bounce back in a potent Chargers' offense.

Supersleeper: Folks in San Diego have been predicting a breakout effort for tight end Ladarius Green for a few years now, but this could be the season that it finally happens.

IDP WATCH

Eric Weddle – S
His 229 total tackles over the past two seasons show that he's still an elite player at age 30.

Melvin Ingram – LB
Finally healthy after dealing with ACL and hip injuries the past two years, he's expected to improve the pass rush.

Manti Te'o – LB
Showed great improvement over his rookie season last year, but injuries limited him to only 10 games.