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Foilhat's Chargers Draft Thoughts

Everything below represents my opinion. I'm sorry for speaking in absolutes I am not a journalist, and have some trouble attempting to write like one.

Running Back

It's pretty obvious that the Chargers need to draft two running backs, so get ready to see the team double dip over the 3 day draft. Depending on how much the Chargers like their first back, and the skill set he would bring expect to see the second RB selection in or around round 5. What is different with the Chargers compared with most other clubs is the team has recently carried only 4 total RBs on the active game day roster. The reason for this is mainly about STs, but Norv's love for WRs, Manu's versatility, and the need for a extra DL also played a role. If I had to guess on which RBs Smith will draft, my guess would be either Tate or Best early.

The later RB selection would mostly likely be a bigger guy like a Bell or Dixon according to most pundits. I am going to have to disagree, and state here I think the second back will be a standard size project pick like Andre Anderson or Stafon Johnson. My reasoning for this? If the team decides to keep 4 RBs active on gameday roster then Tolbert and Hester are going to have to serve as the short yardage backs. The value they bring as duel purpose backs isnt used correctly if they are not saving you a roster spot.

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DL

I think 5T is higher on the AJ want list than most. Selections like Odrick or Dunlap wouldnt surprise me in the least. Dunlap is about 10 pounds too light, and Odrick will be gone when we are on the clock; but either would be great picks for the Chargers. While it is true the Chargers are stacked with projects like Travis Johnson and Vaughn Martin, neither figures to offer much pass rush inside on nickel downs. And if the Chargers want to get away with playing something resembling Ron Rivera's two deep stuff they are going to have to generate pressure with four guys more. In 2009 there wasn't much in the way of pressure being generate inside from our interior nickel rushers. A pick with that type of skill set could bump Ceasaire off the roster.

As far as NT goes brace yourself for a late round sleeper or none at all. The one guy that the Chargers could reach for is Linval Joseph who has major upside, but may not even be a fit as a NT. Cody and Thomas I dont think are in the plans.

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OL

Well I would bet we do not draft a OG (that's the only position I could say that for), as Green looked legit in limited action. The Chargers apparently like Dumbo as a interior guy as well, combine that with Moochie; and that's a pretty solid interior OL and depth with youthful upside. The possibility of a late round center I guess is there, assuming AJ still hasnt made Green aware he was drafted to play C. We seem to take a UFA center every year anyway so I expect this year to be no different. Which brings me to OT, more specifically right OT. If I had to guess here, I'd say a RT selection is fairly likely with one of the first two picks. It makes sense and could work out where you plug a guy in at RT, as a try out for LT (left tackle, every time I see LT I think of Tomilson). Big Mac contract talks could progress into the season, if AJ drafts a RT that shows good promise he could get less interested in signing Big Mac. And every one knows there's others waiting with their hands out. Candidates include Campbell, Ducasse, and Saffold. And the search for a promising RT could go into the 3rd with prospects like Black, Capers, or Calloway.

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Safety

Seems like there's always questions at this position every off season. I differ than most here in that I want a FS, who could possibly offer something in nickel and or dime. If we did draft a guy like this it could be as early as 40 with Nate Allen. Much more likely I expect to see a safety taken in the 3rd, 4th, or 5th round; it's a deep draft for them and we had a number of problems on the back end last year. The majority of the safety issues seemed to arise because Weddle had to play everywhere due to Gregory playing nickel. Maybe if Strickland or Vasher solidifies the NB role it could elevate the safety play. Names to watch out for include Chancellor, Wright, Robert Johnson, Stuckey, or Ward.

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WR

Last year we started the season with 6 WRs on the roster, and as I eluded to above routinely carried 5 WRs on the gameday roster. I would hope we do not carry 6 WRs again because I think we need the extra DL, but it's not far fetched. Needless to say we will draft a least one WR in a late or mid round, and take at least one as a UFA. I would expect this player to have high upside and something resembling STs value. The pick likely to become the 5th WR wouldnt really have to play, so the Chargers should see fit to role the dice on a injury risk or a unpolished athlete.

My personal favorite mid to late round guys that fit this description include Price, Decker, Mitchell, and Cooper in that order. Later round selections could include Kerry Meier or David Gettis.

CB

This is one position that looks good on paper, but has huge questions going forward. I couldnt tell you how good Vasher or Strickland are, or how much the club figure to lean on them going forward. Signing both is a little strange for me, but I like it if we carry a 5th CB this year. Just like LB, DB is typically 9 guys out of 53 on the roster. Last year it was five safeties and four corners; this year I would expect it to switch. Meaning a mid to late round CB selection could happen and every knows how AJ loves his CBs, so the Hughes brothers should have another guy to fight for a roster spot with.

TE

Obviously there's a roster spot somewhat reserved for a TE which leads me to believe the Chargers will not get out of the 5th round without pulling the trigger on a TE prospect. Now AJ loves Gates, and I am on board with that re signing even at the expense of VJack considering the production and projected monetary savings. The Chargers need a big body TE, someone who will block, and do whatever else and shut up about it. Pitta and Ed Dickerson are my two favorite, but are more in the mold of a duel use TE; and will likely be off the board by the time the Chargers decide to address the position.

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LB

I expect to see the Chargers carrying 5 OLBs and 4 ILBs again this year. But something has to give at both the ILB and OLB positions. There's going to be at least one LB taken in the draft and one as a UFA, that's pretty much mandatory given that the Chargers run a 34. Already on the roster and likely to make a run at a roster spot are 2009 UFAs Beckwith and Holt. Holt has already shown he is a missile on kicks, if that continues into preseason the Chargers are going to have to make room for him somehow, either by bumping off a LB or a DB.

The only locks I have going forward are Merriman, English, Phillips, Applewhite, Siler, and Burnett. The first three for obvious reasons, and the last three based on projected STs performance and economics. A late round selection here is expected; a OLB could bump Tucker off the roster, and a ILB could bump off Coop or Dobbins.

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QB

I would love to see the Chargers trade for a backup, specially Trent Edwards who could probably had for a 2011 late round selection once the Bills draft another QB. I just figure the the 2011 QB is so deep the Chargers might as well wait a year to draft another QB. In the meantime the Chargers could attempt to turn Edwards into a number 2, as Volek is getting up there and has one year left on his deal.


This FanPost was written by a member of the Bolts From The Blue community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bolts From The Blue editors or SB Nation.