2009 NFL Draft Predictions: San Diego Chargers
While San Diego expected to contend for the Super Bowl in 2008, we can’t consider the season a complete disappointment. The Chargers still managed to reach the playoffs and win a game in the postseason despite playing the entire season without star pass rusher Shawne Merriman and with a banged up LaDainian Tomlinson. As long as the Chargers’ key guys can stay healthy, I expect them to contend for a title in 2009. Let’s see what pieces of the puzzle could add to this championship-caliber team in this NFL draft preview.
Biggest Draft Needs – The Chargers have enough pieces already in place to contend for a Super Bowl title so they could look to draft some skill players to groom for the future. LaDainian Tomlinson’s best years are now behind him. At just 5′6”, 180 pounds, I’m not sure backup Darren Sproles has the size to be an every down back. While he had some good games last season filling in for L.T., he will have a much better and longer career as a third down specialist and spot player. Wide receiver Chris Chambers is set for free agency after the 2009 season so the Bolts may want to think about getting a wideout in place as well. The Chargers could also use depth at the cornerback position, which is an area where they were exposed when Quentin Jammer was banged up. Defensive end Igor Olshansky is gone so the Chargers could look at defensive ends too.
Likely Day 1 Targets – The Chargers may want to consider nabbing one of the draft’s top running backs like Ohio State’s Chris Wells, Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno, or Pittsburgh’s LeSean McCoy. If they put themselves in best available player mode, because they have no glaring weaknesses, they could go after a defensive back like Alabama’s Rashad Johnson, Missouri’s William Moore, or Western Michigan’s Louis Delmas. A 3-4 defensive end like LSU’s Tyson Jackson looks like a good fit as well.
If the Chargers really like Moreno, they should pounce as not having any gaping holes to fill affords them the luxury of picking a back for the future. He is an effortless cutter with great vision and a huge asset as a receiver out of the backfield. He looks like the next L.T.if you ask me. But I could easily see the Chargers going with LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson as this is a team in love with bringing the heat off the corner.
Recent Draft Track Record – The Chargers have been one of the best on draft day. 2004 treated this team especially well when they picked up QB Phillip Rivers, a pick that enabled them to land outside linebacker Shawne Merriman the following year, and kicker Nate Kaeding. In 2006, they found gems in offensive tackle Macus McNeill and cornerback Antonio Cromartie. Last year’s draft, consisting of just five picks, is tough to judge yet, but early on cornerback Antoine Cason and fullback Jacob Hester look like players.
Do your NFL betting on Jimmy Boyd’s NFL picks this season to consistently beat the NFL lines.
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9 Responses to “2009 NFL Draft Predictions: San Diego Chargers”
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Merriman wasn’t drafted until the following year. They used the pick they got from the Giants in the Rivers/Manning trade…
You’re absolutely right. I didn’t word that very well. Meant to say that 2004 seemed to be a turning point getting Rivers and Kaeding and using the pick to get Merriman the following year. Thanks for the critique.
I agree, but I think the chargers could also have some interest in USC linebacker Rey Maualuga since they lack somewhat of a strong middle linebacking core. Odds are maualuga will probably be taken by a team like washington [13th] who are also in need of a middle linebacker but if Maualuga is still around I think it would be a great move for the chargers. Maualuga has a very aggresive style of play and would likely be an ideal linebacker for san diego’s 3-4 scheme. I hope the chargers get Rey Maualuga or Knowshon Moreno because they in my opinion are both likely to be talented players with bright futures with unique styles of play.
Mel Kiper agrees with you and has Maualuga going to the Bolts.
I hope the chargers grab Tyson Jackson or rey maualuga they need help in the middle and San diego has to go back to a strong presences on defense
if the chargers do not have an opportunity to get maualuga why wouldnt they go with a guy like larry english out of northern illinois or USC linebacker brian cushing who both show great explosion and quickness of the line. In my opinion both english and cushing show much more talent than tyson jackson. and would be better for the chargers.
Both picks would be solid. So much of San Diego’s defense has been predicated on getting heat on the QB. With Merriman back healthy, I expect the Bolts to bring the “D” again in ‘09.
Both would be great picks. I really like Cushing as he has the versatility to play a number of spots. Both of these guys seem more in the mold of Merriman than Jackson, as Jackson is more of a power rusher. I like the speed rushers myself.
Exactly, brian cushing could shift to middle linebacker if maualuga is taken . I just love cushing’s quickness and versatility that would be perfect for san diego if maualuga is gone.