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When the San Diego Chargers traded up in the 2014 NFL draft to select pass-rusher Jeremiah “Jerry” Attaochu, they did so with the future in mind. Injuries kept the Chargers from being able to sand all the rough edges off Attaochu’s game, but they’re still penciling him into the starting job in 2015.

Attaochu’s development is the biggest key to the Chargers putting a solid defense on the field in 2015. The Chargers will be looking to him to improve a pass rush that was abysmal last season.

The team’s best pass-rusher from a year ago is also a free agent. Despite being 34 last year and coming off injury, Dwight Freeney led the team in total pressures with 59 last season. Attaochu has to fill his shoes and more, which is a tall task for any young player, but the Chargers clearly think he can do it.

At this point, outside linebacker Melvin Ingram, defensive end Corey Liuget and the other veteran defenders in the front seven on the roster are who they are. Ingram and Liuget are more complementary pass-rushers who need a primary guy to draw all the attention away from them.

“Melvin Ingram and Jerry Attaochu, those guys have a lot of ability,” general manager Tom Telesco said Wednesday via Chargers.com. “We know a bit more about Melvin than we do about Jerry right now, but Jerry had some great flashes for us last year, and we drafted him to be a pass-rusher.”

Flashes are great, but the Chargers badly need consistent production, and Telesco understands that. The Chargers' top player in sacks last year was Liuget with 4.5. The Atlanta Falcons are the only other team that didn’t have a single player tally five or more sacks in 2014. It’s worth noting that Freeney only had 3.5 sacks.

Ready to Replace Freeney? Name Pass Rush Snaps Sacks Hits Hurries Total Pressure % Weighted Pressure % (100/50/25) Dwight Freeney 407 4 9 40 13.0% 4.5% Corey Liuget 472 5 9 24 8.1% 3.3% Melvin Ingram 221 4 6 16 11.8% 5.0% Sean Lissemore 133 1 1 8 7.5% 2.6% Jerry Attaochu 115 2 2 7 9.6% 4.1% Pro Football Focus

Unlike some of the other defenders on the roster, Attaochu still has a lot of growth potential. With more opportunities in 2015, Attaochu has a great chance to develop into the player the Chargers hoped they were getting when they drafted him.

“A part of it, that is a big portion for us, that doesn’t get talked about enough is developing the talent we have,” Telesco told Xtra 1360 Fox Sports Radio in San Diego, via Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. “That’s what the offseason program is for, and our younger players taking that next step to the next level; that’s where you make your jumps.”

Making the Jump

Attaochu gets off the line and has great foot speed to the edge. He’s fluid and flexible, but he doesn’t yet understand how to convert speed to power and to use his hands to keep defenders from pushing him off course. These weaknesses are coachable aspects of his game.

The other great thing about Attaochu is his motor. He’s a relentless player, so he’ll make plays on effort alone. If his work ethic is anything near that level of intensity—and it’s close—making the jump won’t be a problem.

In Week 14 against the New England Patriots, Attaochu demonstrated both his strengths and weaknesses. He repeatedly beat right tackle Sebastian Vollmer with speed off the edge, but Vollmer typically got the best of him. It may have been Attaochu’s best game of the season rushing the passer, but he also could have been so much better.

NFL GameRewind

Notice how Attaochu gets off the line so fast that he immediately gets the edge, but also how he lets Vollmer get his hands on him. With stronger hand usage and by staying lower through the contact, Attaochu could have powered around Vollmer to get to Tom Brady.

NFL GameRewind

Instead of getting pressure, Vollmer pushed Attaochu out of the play. Attaochu even lost his balance, which hurts his ability to use his motor to chase down plays from behind. Against slower-footed offensive tackles, Attaochu is a handful, but the smart ones will push him around if he doesn’t develop the power elements to his game.

Here’s another example, but Attaochu does an even better job getting to the edge by taking a little jab step off the line. Attaochu again had the chance to power through an out-of-position right tackle to get pressure on Brady.

NFL GameRewind

Instead of being able to maintain his direct line to Brady, Attaochu didn’t affect him at all. On short passes with a four-man rush, someone has to apply quick pressure. Attaochu was close, but he didn’t quite make the play.

NFL GameRewind

Given his natural abilities, Attaochu could be a great pass-rusher if he develops more power moves in the passing game. The Chargers are relying on that development, which seems like a smart investment even after just 182 NFL snaps.

If healthy, Chargers fans can expect big things from Attaochu in 2015.

Unless otherwise noted, all statistics via Pro-Football-Reference or Pro Football Focus (subscription required).