Chargers releasing former first-round OL D.J. Fluker

The Los Angeles Chargers are parting ways with a former first-round draft pick.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that the team is releasing offensive lineman D.J. Fluker.

Stuck with just $5 million in cap space, per OverTheCap.com, the Chargers desperately need to build up their cash reserves. With Fluker set to make $8.821 million this season, his release will do just that.

Taken 11th overall in 2013, Fluker was drafted to give the Chargers a plug-and-play starter at tackle. Instead, the 25-year-old has spent much of the past two seasons at guard, finishing 2016 as the league's 54th-ranked player at his position, per Pro Football Focus. As the metrics site noted, Fluker…