2013 OFFSEASON OUTLOOK: SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Between now and the beginning of the NFL Draft (April 25), Colts.com will take an offseason look at each of the Colts 2013 opponents. The 10^th installment comes today with the San Diego Chargers:

San Diego Chargers 2013 Offseason:

2012 Season: 7-9 regular season. Finished 2nd in the AFC West.

Key Offseason Additions: S-Derek Cox, RB-Danny Woodhead.

Key Offseason Losses: CB-Antoine Cason (Cardinals), DT-Aubrayo Franklin (Colts), T-Jared Gaither, OLB-Shaun Phillips, LB-Takeo Spikes, OG-Louis Vasquez (Broncos).

2013 Draft Picks: 1-11, 2-45, 3-74, 4-110, 5-145, 6-179 7-221

Analysis: The Chargers jumped out to a 3-1 record in 2012 and closed the season winning three of their four final contests. The middle was the problem, however, dropping seven of eight games in between. That brought about change in the front office and on the sideline. Former Colts Vice President of Football Operations Tom Telesco is the Chargers new general manager. Former Denver Broncos Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy takes over as head coach in San Diego.

Telesco came to San Diego fresh off a roster overhaul in Indianapolis. He is having to do the same thing out west and has accomplished that during his first offseason as an NFL general manager. While the losses are significant, quarterback Philip Rivers is now working with quarterback guru McCoy and has three quality running backs to rely on thanks to the addition of Woodhead.

Virtually every mock draft has the Chargers looking towards one of the two elite guards in Thursday’s draft (Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper) or taking Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson. After losing Gaither and Vasquez, a talented young offensive lineman would seem to be the logical choice for Telesco’s first draft as general manager.

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Miami Dolphins Offseason Outlook

Kansas City Chiefs Offseason Outlook