The Sports Xchange

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Chargers started with six picks and ended up with five. That was the price the team paid to move up and trade spots in the first round with the San Francisco 49ers.

But the team said it couldn’t let running back Melvin Gordon stay on the board any longer and did business with the 49ers. San Francisco got the Chargers’ fourth-round pick this year and a fifth-rounder in 2016 to snag the Wisconsin star.

“We’d like to have all our players and the picks, but it doesn’t quite work out that way,” Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said.

–On the final day of the draft, the Chargers made clear their need to address their woeful pass rush. The Chargers had only 26 sacks last year and that was with outside linebackers Dwight Freeney and Jarret Johnson. Neither are returning.

The Chargers used their final two picks on players that are known to get to the pocket quickly: linebacker Kyle Emanuel and tackle Darius Philon. The Chargers’ top sacker last year was defensive end Corey Liuget, who had 4 1/2. That’s rare in a 3-4 alignment for a lineman to pace the team in sacks.

–Fun number: Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has more kids (seven) that the Chargers had draft picks (five). No other NFL team had fewer selections than the Chargers.

–With Donald Butler and Manti Te’o returning as starting inside linebackers, some were surprised with the pick of Denzel Perryman. He’s a run-stuffer as well and likely won’t be on the field on passing downs.

“You get as many good players as you can at all positions,” coach Mike McCoy said. “It’s not just one position on the football team.”

–Running back Melvin Gordon trained just north of San Diego in the run-up to the NFL Combine. “I’m glad I ended up here,” Gordon said. “It’s beautiful here. I trained here, so I kind of know how it is.”

A closer look at the Chargers’ picks:

Round 1/15 — Melvin Gordon, RB, 6-0, 195, Wisconsin

The Chargers were so desperate to improve last year’s 30th-ranked rushing attack that it flipped first-round picks and gave the 49ers a fourth this year and a fifth next year to snag Gordon. The club loves his burst, his physical nature and his durability. He would be easy to write off as a bruising runner from the Big Ten, but he has speed and the acceleration that could make him a difference-maker.

Round 2/48 — Denzel Perryman, ILB, 6-1, 200, Miami

Perryman will see action on early downs as he’s a run-stopper. He led Miami with 110 tackles last year and loves the physical part of the game. Adds depth, for now, before starters Donald Butler and Manti Te’o. But Butler is coming off a disappointing season and Te’o continues to find his feet as an NFL player. Word is Perryman could push early for playing time.

Round 3/83 — Craig Mager, CB, 5-11, 201, Texas State

With their offseason handiwork, the defensive back spot didn’t need much. But that didn’t stop general manager Tom Telesco from finding another physical body for the unit. Mager drew raves from Chargers brass for his physical approach and his energy level. He had eight career interceptions and plays solid special teams.

Round 5/153 — Kyle Emanuel, OLB, 6-3, 255, North Dakota State

OK, it wasn’t at a big-time football school where Emanuel collected 19 1/2 sacks, but his game showed well against top 25 opponents as well. The Chargers are desperate for help getting after the passer and while Emanuel faces a big transition. Still, he’ll get every chance to prove himself with the Chargers.

Round 6/192 — Darius Philon, DT, 6-1, 298, Arkansas

Again, the Chargers went for someone known for pestering quarterbacks. Philon comes in as an underclassman and could use some growth on his frame and with his game. But he has an incredible burst that is easy to see in game films.