5 Takeaways: Telesco, Staley on Bolts Day 3 Selections

Published: Apr 29, 2023 at 06:14 PM Updated: Apr 28, 2023 at 10:35 PM

Eric Smith

Editorial Director

The Chargers made seven total picks in the 2023 NFL Draft to infuse their roster with youth and talent.

All of the Bolts moves can be found at the Chargers 2023 Draft Tracker.

Here are five takeaways from Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco and Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley after Day 3 of the draft:

1. Focus on special teams

The Chargers entered the day needing a returner, and they wasted little time finding their guy.

Derius Davis tallied six total returns for touchdowns at TCU, five of which came on punts.

Staley noted that the Chargers are going forward with Davis as their returner.

"Definitely comfortable with him," Staley said. "We drafted him in the fourth round because we really feel like he was one of the top returners in the country and then looking at the landscape of pro and college football, we really felt like this guy is special with the ball in his hands."

Telesco said the Bolts liked his skillset and want him to keep learning under Chargers Special Teams Coordinator Ryan Ficken.

"It's a dual returner position — punts and kicks — and we think he has some dynamic ability to do that," Telesco said,

He later added: "He's got good vision, good instincts, burst, acceleration and then home-run speed."

Davis was clocked at 4.36 seconds in the 40-yard dash in pre-draft workouts, which was among the fastest of all players who were drafted.

2. Flexibility up front

A year ago, the Chargers took Jamaree Salyer on Day 3 of the draft.

He was a tackle in college but was projected as a guard, even if he did play left tackle for most of his rookie year. Salyer now enters the 2023 season as a starter at right guard.

The Chargers see similar characteristics in Clemson's Jordan McFadden, who played tackle in college but will likely shift inside in the NFL.

"Really solid, consistent player in college. Played left and right tackle, which is nice, but we also think he can play guard so there's some versatility there," Telesco said. "Strong, powerful, long arms. Had a really nice college career.

"What's big with him, and similar to Jamaree, is being able to play different positions as a depth offensive lineman," Telesco added.

Staley noted that McFadden could also potentially play center, too.

"ACC Offensive Lineman of the Year. A three-year starter at Clemson. He played on both sides of the line, left and right tackle," Staley said. "He also played guard, has center flexibility. [Clemson Head Coach] Dabo Swinney could not speak more highly of this player, both just the production of the player and the intangibles of the player."

3. Praise for Matlock

The Chargers added extra depth up front in the sixth round with Boise State defensive tackle Scott Matlock.

Staley said Matlock, a team captain and leader in college, fits the mold of what the Bolts are looking for.

"He's a war daddy. That term applies to him, how he plays and the type of leadership that he had at Boise State, that type of mantle that he earned as a captain there," Staley said. "I think you'll see that in our draft, we joined up with a lot of players with production, but also the leadership intangibles that we really value. We were able to spend a lot of time with him."

The 22-year-old Matlock is listed at 6-foot-4 and 296 pounds. He recorded 19.5 career tackles for loss and 11.5 career sacks at Boise State while adding two passes defensed and a forced fumble.

Matlock was also a two-time Second-Team All-Mountain West honoree at Boise State.

"Big frame, really nice size and athletic. He's got a projectable NFL body essentially," Telesco said. "Pretty productive at Boise State. Good depth defensive lineman and a chance to come in and compete on a role."