D.J. Fluker is the first ex-Alabama football star in search for a new NFL team.
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Los Angeles Chargers released Fluker today due to his inconsistency as road grader and pass protector in the last three years. The 6-foot-5, 339-pound offensive lineman was selected in the first round (11th overall pick) of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Chargers releasing former first-round draft choice D.J. Fluker, per source. One more good OL added to free-agent crop. Plays T/G.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2017
He showcased star potential in his rookie season, assisting the Chargers to a 9-7 record with a postseason berth in 2013. Fluker saw action in 14 games at right tackle, helping the group account for top-10 numbers in total offense (393.3 ypg, fifth), first downs (373, first) and third down efficiency (49 percent—first ).
He cleared the way for Ryan Mathews to record a 1,000-yard season (1,255) and protected Phillip Rivers to toss for 4,478 passing yards. Even before his move to right guard in 2015, Fluker’s struggles started to surface.
In his failure to duplicate his production from 2013, Los Angeles dropped significantly in total offense for both 2014 (18th) and 2016 (14th) and scoring offense in 2014 and 2015, while becoming one of the worst rushing teams from 2014-16—landing at 29th in the league on average.
Prior to the NFL, Fluker was a three-time BCS national champion (2009, 2011-12) and a two-time Southeastern Conference champion (2009, 2012) at Alabama. He blocked for four 1,000-yard rushers, including Mark Ingram— who won the Heisman Trophy in 2009 after posting 1,658 yards and 17 scores.
Per spotrac, Fluker was already an unrestricted free agent.
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
