San Diego Chargers: Mel Kiper's Draft Grade

I'll be posting a grade for each draft pick the San Diego Chargers made over the last few days tomorrow morning, but as you drink your coffee this morning I thought you'd be interested in seeing how the most well-known draft expert graded the Bolts' draft.

Mel Kiper ($): B+

It seems like Mel made his grades after the first few rounds, because he writes that he's shocked the the Chargers didn't take a Cornerback or Running Back. Ummmm.

Anyway, he really seems to love the value that San Diego got with its first, second and third rounds picks and could see them being important pieces for the Chargers defense going forward. I especially like this line:

I didn't see Kendall Reyes as a big need pick, but getting him at No. 49 is another value grab. This is probably the most athletic DT in the whole draft, so you can see him and Corey Liuget developing and making the Chargers pretty formidable up front.

SB Nation's own draft grades also give the Chargers a B+, and Joel Thorman points out that the Chargers got great value while also filling holes on the defense for 2012 and 2013.

The consensus seems to be that, in the first three rounds, the Chargers filled the holes on their defense with high-character, NFL-ready guys with good potential. If this draft ends up being viewed as a bust in a few years, it won't be because A.J. Smith made a mistake.