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Joey Bosa born to be a Bolt

By Jay Paris, The Sports Xchange
Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa walks onto the stage after being selected by the San Diego Chargers with the third overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft on April 28, 2016 in Chicago. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI
Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa walks onto the stage after being selected by the San Diego Chargers with the third overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft on April 28, 2016 in Chicago. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- General manager Tom Telesco couldn't hide his glee in snagging Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa with the third overall pick. As the San Diego Chargers did extensive due diligence, it became apparent Bosa was born to be a Bolt.

"The more work we did, he kept being our top guy," Telesco said. "In the end, it wasn't that hard of a decision."

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Bosa, the Chargers' top pick, has already heard from quarterback Philip Rivers. What did No. 17 say to the celebrated rookie?

"Congratulations and he welcomed me to the team," Bosa said. "He seems like a great, standup guy. He's obviously a competitor from what I've been hearing from everybody. I only hear great things about him and I'm excited that I get to come here and be around a guy like that, that wants to win and wants to compete.

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So what will Bosa play in the team's 3-4 alignment? Defensive end or linebacker?

"I think I could fit wherever they want me," he said. "I could play linebacker. 4-3, 3-4 they're actually very similar. You're in base 70 percent of the time. So it really doesn't make much of a difference.

"My versatility I think is something this team liked. So they're going to put people where they see fit and they're going to find the best spot for me to help the team win. I think I could fit wherever they want me. I could play linebacker. 4-3, 3-4 they're actually very similar. You're in base 70 percent of the time. So it really doesn't make much of a difference."

-- Fourth-round pick Joshua Perry, an inside linebacker from Ohio State, was a favorite of coach Urban Meyer. "Urban Meyer spoke very, very highly of him, Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said.

-- San Diego drafted the first defender (Joey Boss), tight end (Hunter Henry) and punter (Drew Kaser).

-- The Chargers started a signature drive to get an initiative on the November ballot to construct a voter-approved stadium in downtown San Diego. It would be located east of Petco Park, but the project which includes a convention center and will cost nearly $2 billion, has many political obstacles to overcome.

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A closer look at the Chargers' picks:

--Round 1/3 -- Joey Bosa, DE, 6-5, 269, Ohio State

The Chargers claim they never came off of Bosa as being the pick, despite the flurry of trades with the picks above them. Bosa is going to be asked to rev a pass rush which has been under whelming. He will also help fortify one of the poorest run defenses in the NFL.

--Round 2/35 -- Hunter Henry, TE, 6-5, 250, Arkansas

The top tight end in the draft heads to the Chargers, addressing a clear. While Antonio Gates remains on the roster, it's clear his time is almost done. Just maybe Gates passes the torch to Henry, an All-America pick and the winner of the John Mackey Award which goes to the nation's top collegiate tight end. Henry set career highs last season with 51 receptions and 739 yards. Philip Rivers could have another favorite target on the underneath routes with Henry.

--Round 3/66 -- Max Tuerk, C, 6-5, 298, USC

Since Pro Bowl Nick Hardwick had to stop playing early in the 2014 season, the Chargers have been seeking his replacement. They might have secured that player in Tuerk. The club was decimated by injuries along the line last year, working 24 different combinations. Tuerk might not be keen enough to start right away, but he will be given every chance to prove that he can. He has has experience in other spots along the line, something the Chargers embrace. Tuerk hurt his knee in October after being an All-Pac 12 selection in 2014.

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--Round 4/102 -- Joshua Perry, ILB, 6-4, 254, Wisconsin

It's cliche, but the Bolts' brass said it was surprised the run-stuffing Perry was available after 101 picks. With Manti Te'o and Denzel Perryman returning, Perry will have to earn his stripes on special teams.

--Round 5/175 -- Jatavius Brown, OLB, 5-11, 227, Akron

Brown might add some zest to the pass rush, but it's a long depth chart to climb. But he could steal some snaps from Kyle Emanuel and/or Jerry Attaochu. Brown seems a tad undersized but he impressed the Chargers with his quickness and deceptive strength.

--Round 6/179 -- Drew Kaser, P, 6-2, 212, Texas A&M

Kaser was rated by most as the draft's top punter. Kaser just might join former teammate Josh Lambo to make up the other leg in team's kicking game. With returning punter Mike Scifres scheduled to make $3.6 million next season, Kaser could be a more economical option.

--Round 6/198 -- Derek Watt, FB, 6-2, 236, Wisconsin

Watt could lead the running plays for a former Wisconsin star and teammate in Melvin Gordon. Watt is the brother of the Texans' J.J. Watt, but he'll be asked to clear holes and not clean clocks. Watt's selection reveals how the Chargers misfired last year in drafting Gordon without a fullback

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--Round 7/224 -- Donavon Clark, G, 6-4, 315, Michigan State

Clark has his work cut out to make the team, then again he comes to a unit which has been beset by injuries along the offensive the past two years. Interior starters D.J. Flukes and Orlando Franklin are blocking Clark's path -- for now. But team likes his size and ability to run-block.

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