Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers noticing sixth-round pick DL Philon's high motor

Published Jun. 7, 2015 2:39 a.m. ET

foxsports

Draft pundits bashed the Chargers for waiting six rounds to address a need position at interior defensive line.

But general manager Tom Telesco could prove them wrong with sixth-rounder Darius Philon. The Arkansas lineman is drawing rave reviews for his physicality at team OTAs thus far.

"He's big and strong," defensive coordinator John Pagano told ESPN. "You can see his size once he's gotten here. He's doing an excellent job in the classroom right now."

But above all that, the 6-foot-1 Philon is wowing coaches with his motor. He said he plays with a constant intensity that matches NFL greats like Lawrence Taylor or Ray Lewis.

Philon might not be the next transcendent NFL defender, but he could make a huge difference in Pagano's defense right away. Opposing ballcarriers averaged 4.5 yards per carry against the Bolts last season -- good for 29th in the league.

Plug an uber-active 300-pounder like Philon in the rotation, and suddenly those running lanes close up.

Telesco's sixth-round pick could ultimately have as much value as the first five. And Philon is focused on proving naysayers wrong.

"I put it to you like this -- if you're a football player, you're a football player no matter where you get picked," Philon said. "It just makes you grind harder because you know you could have been at the top."

(h/t ESPN)