D.J. Fluker’s release is a reminder that the 2013 draft was terrible

You can add D.J. Fluker to the list of players who will not relocate with the Chargers to Los Angeles in 2017. The franchise will part ways with the 25-year-old offensive lineman after four seasons, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Chargers will also move on from wide receiver Stevie Johnson, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The moves net the Chargers $3.5 million in cap space.

Last offseason, the Chargers exercised the fifth-year option on Fluker’s four-year rookie deal, and he was scheduled to make $8.82 million in 2017. His career got off to a solid start. He played right tackle in 2013 for 15 games and finished with a positive grade at Pro Football Focus. He also earned a spot on the NFL’s All-Rookie Team.

However, things took a turn for the worse in his sophomore campaign. While Fluker played every game that season, his production sharply declined, so the Chargers decided to move him inside to right guard.

That plan didn’t go well either, as Fluker struggled at right guard for the past two seasons. The Chargers finished with the 31st-ranked offensive line in 2016 and surrendered 36 sacks as well.

Fluker is just one of many first-round picks from the 2013 draft that hasn’t lived up to expectations. First overall pick Eric Fisher has finally settled into his left tackle role in Kansas City, but was on the verge of being benched during the 2015 season. Luke Joeckel was selected by the Jaguars with the second pick, but he’s hitting free agency after the team declined to pick up his option last year.

Dion Jordan, Matt Elam, Dee Milliner, and EJ Manuel round out some of the more questionable picks in the first round of the 2013 draft.

Fluker’s release leaves a big hole along Los Angeles’ offensive line. He occasionally carved out space for running back Melvin Gordon and kept the pocket clean for quarterback Philip Rivers. Now the Chargers must find an offensive lineman who can step in and produce instantly.

Guards like T.J. Lang and Joeckel are free agents, and the Chargers could pursue one of them. Neither player is a premier guard in the NFL, but they have experience. Lang was selected to his first Pro Bowl last season, though.

Los Angeles could also draft a guard this year, but a veteran makes more sense. It takes a lot of time for coaches to groom offensive linemen with little to no experience.

The then-San Diego Chargers drafted Fluker with the 11th pick in the 2013 NFL draft, and many thought the franchise drafted him too early.

Fluker is only 25, so he has a lot of time to hone his skills as an offensive lineman. At best, another team will sign him to a one-year prove-it deal. He’ll most likely have to compete for a roster spot in training camp.

The one positive about Fluker, though, is his durability. In four seasons, he played in 59 games. No one knows if Fluker will play right tackle or guard in 2017. His next coach must make that decision.