The 2010 NFL entry draft will be pivotal for the Chargers. It will be the most important draft they’ve had in years because there are so many holes in an otherwise solid line-up. 2010 is the first draft in two years that the Chargers have had a second round pick. The Chargers also have a full compliment of seven picks.
While it’s futile to speculate what Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith is going to do, a look at the current roster can narrow it down a bit.
Quarterback
Obviously the Chargers are Phillip Rivers team now, especially with the departure of LT. However, backup Billy Volek’s contract will up soon and the Chargers just shipped off Charlie Whitehurst to Seattle leaving the QB slot thin on depth. It should not be suprising if AJ uses a mid round pick on QB.
Running Back
The most glaring need for the Chargers is, of course, running back. With the departure of LT and Michael Bennett, the Chargers have two openings at the position. There’s a lot of talk about the Chargers going with a nose tackle in the first round to get one of the premium players at that position, but if AJ sees the RB his likes at position 28, he takes them. Chargers will take two running backs.
Wide Receiver
The Chargers have an absolute log jam at WR and have the most depth at the position than possibly ever in the history of the franchise. Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floydd have yet to sign their tender offers, but they will. They should be locked up to long term deals, but this whole NFL contract business is screwing everything up. Legadu Nanee can play deep or he can play in the slot and will continue to be a real weapon for Phillip Rivers. Former first rounder Buster Davis, meanwhile, continues to ride the pine waiting for his chance. The only reason the Chargers would sign a WR was if they planned to trade either Floydd or Jackson, which would only happen if they thought they couldn’t sign both of them. Prediction: Chargers do not draft a WR.
Fullback
With Mike Tolbert signing an extension and Jacob Hester locked up, the Chargers look set at the position. Prediction: Chargers do not draft a fullback.
Tight End
Future Hall of Famer Antonio Gates is the man in San Diego. However, his contract is also coming up in a year and the Chargers lost Branden Manumaleuna to free agency this year so the Chargers do have a need at the position. Kris Wilson looked good last year, but they’ll need another player.
So will the Chargers draft a tight end? In the last five years the Chargers have only drafted one tight end, Scott Chandler, and let’s not forget that Antonio Gates came to the Chargers as an undrafted free agent. The Chargers have had some good looks at UDFAs in training camp the last couple of years, but simply didn’t have room on the roster. Prediction: The Chargers do not draft a tight end in 2010.
Kickers
Ok, so Nate Kaeding was one of the reasons for the playoff debacle. Let’s be honest, it was one of the biggest choke jobs in the history of NFL kicking. But, he was nails in the regular season. Anyone remember how awful the Chargers kicking game was after John Carney left? It was bad. It was especially bad because the following season the Chargers lost a handful of games that were decided on missed field goals.
You can’t make it to the playoffs if you can’t kick field goals. Sorry Kaeding haters, your pain is felt, but he’s not going anywhere.
As for punting? Mike Scifres is a flat out stud. Prediction: Chargers do not draft a kicker.
Offensive Line
You can’t have enough depth on the O-line. Simply not possible. Left tackle Marcus McNeil is a solid starter. He also has a history of nagging injuries and currently has not signed his free agent tender. He wants to be locked up with a long term deal, rightly so. This one could get ugly. McNeil could sit out some, or all, of training camp in protest. The Chargers need to step up and sign him, but they’re playing the waiting game in regards to the new NFL players contract. Yikes.
Chris Dielman at left guard looks to be back fully after some injury problems helping solidify the left side of he line. At center Nick Hardwick should return to form after missing most of the year with injury. His backup during that time, Scott Mruczkowski played well enough to be a starter in the NFL. “Mooch” will provide valuable backup to both the center an guard positions. Last years rookie Louis Vasquez was the jewel of the Chargers 2009 draft and started almost every game last year providing quality play while replacing departed veteran Mike Goff. Look for Vasquez to improve in 2o1o. The right tackle position should be decent in 2010 with starter Jeromey Clary returning and added growth by Brandon Dombrowski, who maintained the started job in Clay’s absence over future HOFer Jon Runyan.Tyronne Greene could also see playing time as he continues to develop. While some of the offensive line played well, Rivers had solid protection, the running game faltered. Part of this can be attributed to Tomlinson who had clearly lost a step, but there is sill room for improvement from the line. Prediction: Chargers draft a tackle.
Defensive Back
There are questions with the Chargers secondary. The biggest issue with the loss of Antonio Cromartie is that of depth. Antoine Cason should step up with two NFL years under his belt and be an upgrade to the cornerback position on the edge. If that sounds like a slam on the non-tackling, deadbeat dad, malcontent Cromartie, it is. Depth was added with Nathan Vasher and Donald Strikland in free agency and they’ll likely compete with Steve Gregory for time at the nickelback. Gregory came on strong last year after ripping the nickel job from Cason, so there should be good competition in camp. Kevin Ellison stepped up as starter for Clinton Hart last year at strong safety (as Bolthaholic correctly predicted he would).The rub on Ellison is that, while he’s a hard hitter, he is hampered by lack of speed. Safety is a tough position however and Ellison should improve as his NFL I.Q. grows. Eric Weddle, as free safety, continues to make big plays. He’s still capable of misreads here and there, but his consistency and growth should continue. A diamond in the rough might just be C.J. Spillman,the hard hitting safety who defied odds making the team last year. He had a couple of hits in the preseason and regular season that were reminiscent of Rodney Harrison.
In the last five years the Chargers drafted defensive backs six times which is more than any other position. Good defensive backs are like defenseman in hockey, they take time to develop and mature. Prediction: the Chargers take a corner back, safety or both.
Linebackers
The Chargers pass rush is not where it should have been last year, but is that the fault of the linebackers or was it caused by the lack of production from the middle of the line? At outside linebacker, Shawne Merriman was back last year, but was still not 100% after having off season surgery and then being hampered by a bad groin and other injuries. He should be back with a vengeance this year, especially since he’s playing for a contract. Shaun Phillips remains solid and Larry English showed flashes of ability, but had a pretty forgettable season. Antoine Applewhite was injured last year, but was really picking up steam and was a stud on special teams. The oft injured Jyles Tucker will also look to rebound in a supporting role this year. All in all the OLBs have promise, but injuries have really taken their toll.
With the inside linebacker position Stephen Cooper will figure to start with Branden Siler and Kevin Burnett fighting for starting snaps at the other ILB position. I predict Branden Siler wins the battle and starts at ILB in 2010 (you heard it here first). He’s a force against the run and showed a keen football sense overall. He’s still got a chip on his shoulder about being taken in the 7th round of the draft in 2007. Kevin Burnett looked liked like a pro bowler in the preseason last year after coming to San Diego from Dallas, but injuries slowed him a little during the regular season. Inside linebacker will be a battle in training camp. The Chargers have taken five linebackers in the last five years of the draft, but this year there are too many other needs with depth at LB already. Prediction: Chargers do not take a linebacker in 2o1o.
Nose Tackle
With the departure of Jamal Williams, the Chargers have a glaring hole to fill at nose tackle. The success of the Chargers pass rush has relied on coaches having to double team Jamal in years past. Last year it took a defensive rotation to keep bodies fresh enough to do what Williams did in his sleep. Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera and the players deserve credit for patching the line together, but it was a glaring weakness, especially against the run. Rookie Oge Nwagbou did a commendable job last year and would likely stay as backup this year. Vaughn Martin remains a project with tremendous upside, but he is not a starter. The success of the 3-4 defense hinges on the nose tackle. The Chargers have players that can play the position, but they do not have anyone at all that can dominate the position. Prediction: Chargers quit screwing around and draft a NT in the first round.
Defensive End
Louis Castillo had, arguably, his best season last year. An upgrade at the nose tackle position would help him even more. On the other side, Alfonso Boone and Jaques Cesaire should fight it out for playing time. Ryon Bingham is also in the mix after missing the entire season last year. Bingham can play the nose as well. Prediction: Chargers do not draft a defensive end.
So you put it all together and what do you have. A talented team with some real holes to plug. Predicting the unpredictable, here is the Boltaholic best guess.
2010 draft picks by round:
1. Nose Tackle
2. Running Back
3. Safety
4. Running Back
5. Quarterback
5. Tackle
7. Cornerback
