Chargers select CB Brent Grimes in 2006 re-draft

The first round of the 2006 NFL Draft was very good to the Chargers. It was that year the Bolts made the decision to tale former Florida State cornerback Antonio Cromartie with the 19th-overall pick. But in another fun offseason exercise, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon challenged himself to re-drafting the entire first round that took place in 2006.

Cromartie was unfortunately taken earlier than #19 this time, thanks in part to his early success combined with a weak draft class across the board. In his place, the Chargers were forced to select another cornerback in Brent Grimes, who originally undrafted out of Division II Shippensburg University.

“Cromartie is off the board, but the San Diego Chargers still benefit from the fact that this rookie class was loaded with successful cornerbacks,” Gagnon admitted. “And while they could go with several potential corners here, we’ll suggest the undrafted Brent Grimes over Tramon Williams, Tim Jennings and Cortland Finnegan. Grimes is the closest the Chargers can come to replacing Cromartie and maintaining the success that came their way between 2006 and 2009.”

Grimes enjoyed a long 12-year career that started with the Atlanta Falcons and finished with two three-year stints with both the Miami Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In those 12 seasons, Grimes started 132 games while playing in 148 total. His career totals include 573 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, 33 interceptions - with three taken back for scores - 140 pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.

If you guys want to check out the entire re-draft, you can see it here. Take a look and tell us if the Chargers would have gone elsewhere given how the board fell.