SAN DIEGO – Adding talent and depth on both sides of the ball up front, bringing in a big-time pass rusher and securing more playmakers on offense to help Philip Rivers are all things the San Diego Chargers need to address this offseason.

But which of these priorities come first? And how should Chargers general manager Tom Telesco use the draft, free agency and trade to fill these needs? Telesco said during his season-ending interview session with reporters that the draft remains the life blood of his roster-building effort. So it’s safe to assume Telesco will continue to use the draft to stockpile young talent as foundational pieces of the Chargers, while looking to free agency and trade to supplement weak areas on San Diego’s roster.

Here, we take a first look at what I consider the top three areas of need for the Chargers, and few options to fill those needs

Running back: The Chargers threw the ball 57 percent of the time last season, compared to 51 percent in 2013. The main reason for that was San Diego’s failure to consistently run the football. The Chargers averaged 3.2 yards per attempt on first-down runs -- when defenses know offenses want to run the football – second-worst in the NFL. Ryan Mathews once again failed to make it through an entire season healthy, and he will be an unrestricted free agent in March. The Chargers need an every-down running back who can grind it out in between the tackles to take some pressure off Rivers.

Solution through draft: Melvin Gordon – The Chargers need a home-run hitter, and Gordon definitely is that. He had 45 touchdowns in four seasons at Wisconsin. Yes, he played behind what is considered traditionally one of the best college offensive lines in the country. Still, Wisconsin had average quarterback play at best in 2014. And with everyone on the field and in the stands knowing Gordon was going to get the ball, he still averaged 7.5 yards per carry. Other running back considerations later in the draft include Indiana’s Tevin Coleman, Miami’s Duke Johnson and Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon.

Solution through free agency: Frank Gore – The Chargers got an up-close look at what Gore can do as he ran for 158 yards in an overtime loss to San Diego last year. Gore turns 32 in May. However, he’s an experienced, tough runner with playoff experience. And Gore is great both in pass protection and catching the ball out of the backfield. He would be a good player to bridge the gap if the Chargers move on from Mathews and do not draft a back this season.

Offensive line: San Diego’s depth up front was tested last year, with five different players starting at center and three different players used at right guard. King Dunlap is a keeper at left tackle. After that, the Chargers need to find a replacement for longtime starting center Nick Hardwick, who likely will retire. And San Diego needs more talent and depth at interior offensive line in order to effectively run the football.

Solution through the draft: A.J. Cann – At 6-3 and 315 pounds, the South Carolina product would step in and immediately help the Chargers at guard. According to draft analysts, Cann is not an elite or overpowering athlete. But he possesses good technique, agility and quickness. He’s durable, and should be a good scheme fit.

Solution through free agency: Bryan Bulaga – According to Pro Football Focus, Bulaga was the rated tied for 19th among tackles, giving up four sacks and two quarterback hits in 2014. Securing the former first-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 2010 draft would allow D.J. Fluker to slide inside to guard, but Bulaga could be out of San Diego’s price range in free agency.

Pass rusher: Veteran edge rushers Dwight Freeney and Jarret Johnson might not return in 2015. The Chargers have not had a player finish with double-digit sacks since Antwan Barnes totaled 11 in 2011. San Diego’s 26 sacks was No. 29 in the NFL in 2014. Young players such as Melvin Ingram and Jeremiah Attaochu have to create more production ( Freeney, Johnson, Ingram and Attaochu finished with a combined 8.5 sacks), but the Chargers also need to add more pass rushers to the mix.

Solution through the draft: Arik Armstead – In this ESPN Insider piece, ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has the Chargers selecting the athletic Armstead with the team’s No. 17 selection in the opening round of his first mock draft. At 6-7 and 285 pounds, the University of Oregon product would pair nicely with Corey Liuget inside on third down, adding some juice to San Diego’s pass rush.

Solution through free agency: Jason Worilds – He averaged 60 tackles and 7.5 sacks the past two seasons playing as an edge defender in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 3-4 scheme. But like Bulaga, the cost of signing Worlids in free agency could be too steep for the Chargers.