SAN DIEGO -- All but one of this year’s eight draft picks made the initial 53-man roster for the San Diego Chargers out of training camp, and seventh-round selection guard Donavon Clark was expected to make the team before suffering a torn ACL in a preseason game against Arizona. Not only did they make the roster, but players such as defensive end Joey Bosa, tight end Hunter Henry, fullback Derek Watt and inside linebackers Jatavis Brown and Joshua Perry have been impact players on game days for the Chargers.
Grade: A-minus
Best rookie: Selected No. 3 overall, Bosa was a surprise pick by the Chargers. He sat out the first month of training camp because of a contract dispute about offset language and deferred signing-bonus money, which led to the Ohio State product missing the first four games of the regular season with a lingering hamstring issue. But since he’s taken the field, Bosa has been productive, with 6.5 sacks in nine games. Bosa also has been a key contributor to San Diego’s stout run defense. Though Bosa came on late, Henry was the guy early on. A solid run blocker, Henry has six touchdowns and 398 receiving yards. He looks like the future replacement for 14-year veteran Antonio Gates.
Most improved rookie: Brown did not practice much during training camp because of an ankle injury, but flourished when placed in the starting lineup in Week 5 after Manti Te'o was lost for the season with an Achilles injury. Brown is third on the team in tackles and shows promise with his ability to chase down ball carriers and take the football away. But the Akron product missed four games during the regular season with a knee injury and has to figure out how to stay on the field and out of the training room.
Most disappointing rookie: Max Tuerk was selected in the third round as San Diego’s center of the future but has not been active on game day this season. Tuerk suffered an ACL injury in his right knee during his final season at USC a little over a year ago, so the Chargers are treating 2016 as a redshirt season for the rookie.
The jury is still out on... Drew Kaser: A sixth-round selection, Kaser has the physical tools to be a productive punter, but has to develop consistency. The Texas A&M product has had some short punts at critical times during the season that flipped field position late in games. He also flubbed a hold that led to a missed field goal against Oakland. But Kaser has a strong leg and should develop into a player who can be effective.
Undrafted rookie check-in: Once again, the Chargers did a nice job of finding some diamonds in the rough. Spencer Pulley, out of Vanderbilt, serves as a backup at guard and center and could be in the conversation for a starting job next season. Penn State product Trevor Williams has been used effectively as a nickel cornerback and special teams player. Houston product Kenneth Farrow serves as a reliable backup for starting running back Melvin Gordon and will get longer look due to the Wisconsin product suffering hip and knee injuries last week. And outside linebacker Chris Landrum out of Jacksonville State has earned a role in San Diego's rotation of edge rushers.