Chargers cut OL Orlando Franklin to clear way for youth

The Chargers might soon be ready to start two rookies up front.

In early March, they cut loose right guard D.J. Fluker, a former first-round pick who struggled after being moved inside from tackle. And Monday they released left guard Orlando Franklin, parting ways with him just two years into a five-year deal.

There’s a long way to go between now and the Week 1 opener in Denver, but by releasing two veterans in the span of two months, the Chargers have opened a path for offensive guards Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney, who were selected in the second and third rounds of the 2017 NFL draft, respectively.

Financially speaking, the move made sense. Franklin had underperformed since signing a $36.5 million contract in March 2015, and was due to make $6 million next season. By releasing him, the Chargers also made room to officially sign safety Tre Boston, with whom the team had agreed to terms last week.

The implications are even clearer on the field. The Chargers had used both of their Day 2 picks on potential replacements for Fluker and Franklin, selecting Lamp (Western Kentucky) at No. 38 overall and Feeney (Indiana) at No. 71. During rookie minicamp this past weekend, Lamp practiced at right guard, while Feeney took reps at both left guard and center.

Still, Coach Anthony Lynn hasn’t shown much inclination to heap praise on the youngsters. Friday, the Chargers’ first-year coach essentially said he would defer serious judgment until they put on pads in training camp — reiterating the wait-and-see message he had adopted weeks ago.

“I’m not going to go as far to say he’s a Day 1 starter,” Lynn said of Lamp in late April, shortly after drafting him. “He’s going to have to compete like everybody else. But it helps when you get good quality depth at the position. I think that this guy can start in this league, but he’s going to have to come in here and prove that.”

But even before the draft, Lynn had left the competition wide open for the three interior spots on the offensive line.

The team had already upgraded at left tackle, signing Russell Okung in early March to replace King Dunlap — who was released just days later. And although the Chargers return center Matt Slauson, who was their best offensive lineman in 2016, the ninth-year veteran has the versatility to play guard as well.

Also figuring into the rotation are Max Tuerk, a former all-conference center at USC, and Spencer Pulley. Tuerk’s development in particular could have a domino effect on the offensive line. Drafted No. 66 overall in 2016, the 23-year-old essentially redshirted his rookie season, learning behind Slauson.

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If the Chargers think he’s ready to start, they could move Slauson into one of the two vacant guard spots — and have Lamp and Feeney duke it out for the other.