The Chargers, unable to acquire an elite offensive tackle in the draft, agreed to terms with veteran L.J. Shelton on a two-year deal.

“We were thin at the position, and we were determined to find a talented player,” General Manager A.J. Smith said. “We believe we've addressed the need with L.J. Shelton.”

Shelton has started 125 games over nine NFL seasons, including 16 games at right tackle for the Miami Dolphins in 2007. Signed to a four-year deal with the Dolphins in 2006, Shelton was among nine players released by Miami on Feb. 11. He also has played with Arizona and Cleveland.

Shelton, who is 6 feet 6 and 345 pounds, has started at left tackle and even guard. He could push Jeromey Clary for the starting right tackle job but likely will be the primary backup at both tackle spots.

The Chargers moved fast after the draft to sign Shelton.

Shelton, 32, was in San Diego on Monday, taking a physical and meeting coaches. He returned home to mull the contract offer and agreed yesterday.

The Chargers and Shelton had been talking for weeks, as Smith braced for the possibility the Chargers would not land an elite tackle in the draft.

The team also had a backup plan had the top of its draft gone another direction.

Yesterday, a league source said the Chargers also had been in serious discussions with the Philadelphia Eagles about acquiring cornerback Lito Sheppard. The team would have stepped up its efforts to land Sheppard had it been able to get a tackle in the first round.

The Chargers were thwarted in their attempt to draft a tackle when an unprecedented eight of them were drafted before the Chargers picked at No. 27. The Chargers ended up taking cornerback Antoine Cason of Arizona with the 27th pick, and he will be their third cornerback.

Smith would not confirm the team's pursuit of Sheppard.

“We always have a plan to try and acquire as many talented players as we can, by any means,” Smith said. “We never discuss the particulars of our plan or the course of action we will take.”

Kevin Acee: (619) 293-1857; kevin.acee@uniontrib.com