Pouncey anchors a developing line
As the Chargers prepare for the NFL draft, The Times will examine their roster. Part 5 of 8: offensive line.
Surround him with a veteran quarterback and veteran tackles or surround him with a set of young guards in Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney, who are the future of the offensive line.
Either way, it’s not going to change how new Chargers center Mike Pouncey goes about his business.
“Honestly, for me it’s just coming in and being who I’ve always been my whole career,” Pouncey said. “I’ve always been a leader.”
The Chargers added the Pro Bowl center via free agency after the Miami Dolphins decided he was too expensive to keep.
Already an emotional player with a strong work ethic, Pouncey said he’s still upset with how his exit from Miami went down.
“I understand it happens; it was just the way it happened,” he said. “I was there for seven years, and for them to not bring me in, set me down and let me know what was going on, especially the fact that me and my brother worked out there every single day this offseason, sat down and met with the coaches every single day, it just didn’t sit well with me.”
It just added more fuel to the fire for Pouncey.
For the Chargers, it was another key move by a team that has rebuilt its offensive line in two offseasons under coach Anthony Lynn.
Last year, the team spent on left tackle Russell Okung before taking Lamp and Feeney in the second and third rounds of the draft, adding tackle Sam Tevi in the sixth.
More help could be on the way if another offensive tackle becomes a target early in the draft.
Offensive linemen under contract: Russell Okung ($14.97 million), Mike Pouncey ($6.25 million), Joe Barksdale ($5.78 million), Forrest Lamp ($1.52 million), Dan Feeney ($865,158), Michael Schofield ($1.75 million), Sam Tevi ($595,451), Spencer Pulley ($630,668), Donovan Clark ($501,524), Brett Boyko ($480,000), Cole Toner ($555,00).
Free agents: At this point, the Chargers probably won’t be players on the market. They had hoped to keep Matt Slauson, but his role would’ve been limited, opening the door for him to sign with the Indianapolis Colts. Same goes for Kenny Wiggins, who signed with the Detroit Lions. If they dip back into the market, it probably would be for depth on the interior.
Draft: Offensive tackle will definitely be in play on the first two days of the draft. Notre Dame’s Mike McGlinchey and UCLA’s Kolton Miller could be options with the No. 17 pick.
Roster decisions: The line is fairly set with the exception of right tackle, where Barksdale is a highpriced veteran who could become expendable for a team looking to shed salary.
NEXT: Receivers.
dan.woike@latimes.com Twitter: @DanWoikeSports