SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

After the selection of Cason in round one, I didn't particularly like the Chargers' draft. They also didn't add any players as college street free agents that made me say, "Wow".

DRAFT PICKS

Cason was an excellent pick in round one. He has good size and quickness, is a good athlete, has enough speed, a nose for the ball and plays smart. He will replace Florence as the nickel and, long term, be an upgrade.

Hester is a okay as a backup running back, and okay as a backup fullback. I believe he was over-drafted in round three. He is not as good a runner as Turner, and as a fullback, is more of a west coast fullback than a blocking back. As Chrissie Hynde might say (sing), "Don't Get Me Wrong", he will be a valuable backup, but he will not be able to step in as a full time starter shout LT go down with an injury. My pick here would have been Tashard Choice. He is more Michael-Turner-like and could be a good NFL starter.

As a backup running back Thomas is more Jacob Hester than Michael Turner. He does run hard and could be a good short-yardage and goal-line back. If I were the Charger GM, I would have drafted Choice in round three and then grabbed defensive tackle Rubin here. Rubin is a strong kid who I predict will develop into a great run-stuffer. He would have apprenticed behind Williams and been the Chargers' best option should Williams, a key to their defense, missed any significant time.

Tribble looked intriguing on tape, but had a poor showing during Senior Bowl practices and followed that up with workout numbers that verified why he struggled in the post season. Tribble does have good ball skills, so free safety could be his best NFL position.

The fact that Corey Clark had a nice workout was not surprising. He has the rep of not playing up to his athletic ability. As a seventh round pick he makes a lot of sense since the Chargers' coaching staff can make a decision on whether or not he is worth developing, and if not, there is no major investment in him if he gets cut. He has the physical skills, it will be interesting to see if he can be developed.

COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

Pittman was a productive receiver at Texas but may not have the speed or quickness to transfer those skills to the NFL.

Bonner could be a surprise in camp. He can play the run and the pass and will excel on special teams. He also is a very good punt returner. I look for him to grab one of the last spots since he can backup both safety spots and provide relief for Sproles in the return game should LT get injured. Despite drafting Hester and Thomas, Sproles is the best backup running back on San Diego's roster.

red indicates workout number in top range at position in draft
(blue college name indicates workout #'s include Pro Day numbers)

COMBINE
YES

FIRST NAME

SCHOOL

HEIGHT

WEIGHT

BENCH

SHORT

LONG

3 CONE

VERT

BROAD

Cason

Antoine

ARIZONA

6'0.2"

191

4.45

1.51

2.53

4.08

7.07

36"

10'8"

Hester

Jacob

LSU

5'10.5"

226

4.60

1.60

2.67

4.24

6.85

29"

9'3"

Thomas

Marcus

UTEP

6'0.2"

213

4.60

1.60

2.65

30"

9'8"

Tribble

DeJuan

BOSTON COL

5'8.6"

189

4.59

1.56

2.64

4.19

6.88

34.5"

9'8"

Clark

Corey

TEXAS A&M

6'5.3"

313

5.16

1.77

2.97

4.68

7.47

29"

8'10'

Pittman

Billy

TEXAS

5'11.1"

189

4.71

1.63

2.77

4.40

7.06

32.5"

9'6"

Bonner

Brian

TCU

5'10.7"

196

4.60

1.52

2.62

4.26

7.03

34"

9'6"

QB	Rivers proved himself to be one tough cookie and played his best ball in the playoffs. Volek is a free agent and will "bolt" only if he can't get an opportunity to start elsewhere (how's that for a play on words, twisting the meaning). Whitehurst may not be ready to be the primary backup. So if Volek leaves, an experienced quarterback will probably be added.
RB	LT2 is as good as it gets as starting running back. However, long time sub Turner is a free agent and he will find a team that will, at least, give him an opportunity to start. Sproles is explosive, but does not have the size to be an every down back if LT2 gets hurt. The Chargers need to add a backup for LT2.
WR	Suddenly, the Chargers have an excellent starting tandem at wideout in Chambers and Jackson. I called Davis a reach on draft day and I stand by that comment. Between Parker, Davis and Naanee the Chargers could find a reliable #3, but look for them to add a receiver between round 3 and 5 in the draft to compete for that spot.
TE	Gates, Manumaleuna and Chandler give comprise a solid unit top to bottom for San Diego.
OL	The Titan's line goes six deep with solid to star players. However, backup inside (guard and center) are needed, and possibly a fourth tackle.
DL	The starters are solid, but a young nose tackle to rotate with, and eventually take over after Williams should be added.
LB	No holes in the starting unit, young reserves with potential sitting in the wings. A nice unit.
DB	The Chargers have an excellent pair of corners. With Florence likely to leave, however, there are questions regarding Gregory and Gordon as the nickel. McCree should be replaced by Weddle next year. Hart is an underrated player who is a solid pro, but a stud strong safety could make this unit the best starting secondary in the league. At a minimum if McCree is gone, a backup a safety will have to be brought on board.
ST	Solid all around unit, kicker, punter, and return man.

2008 DRAFT PICKS	2008 REPORT CARD followed by workout numbers	2008 TEAM NEEDS prior to free agency
2007 DRAFT PICKS	2007 REPORT CARD followed by comments & workout numbers	2007 TEAM NEEDS prior to free agency

2005 Draft Picks	2005 Draft Report Card	2005 Draft Team News
2004 Draft	2003 Draft	2002 Draft

Arizona
Rd	Sel#	Player	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	School	Jay's ranking	Jay's draft value
1	27	Antoine Cason	CB	6'0.2"	191	Arizona	#4 CB	Round 1
3	69	Jacob Hester	FB/RB	5'10.5"	226	LSU		Late Round Value
5	166	Marcus Thomas	RB	6'0.2"	213	UTEP		Late Round Value
6	192	DeJuan Tribble	CB	5'8.6"	189	Boston Col		Late Round Value
7	234	Corey Clark	OT	6'5.3"	313	Texas A&M		Late Round Value
FA		Billy Pittman	WR	5'11.1"	189	Texas		Late Round Value/Free Agent
FA		Brian Bonner	SS/FS/Ret	5'10.7"	196	TCU		Late Round Value

Rd	Sel#	Player	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	School	Jay's Ranking	Jay's Draft Value
1	30	Davis, Craig	WR	6-1	207	Louisiana State	#20 WR	Round 4
2	37	Weddle, Eric	SS	5-11	200	Utah	# 3 SS	Round 2
3	96	Waters, Anthony	ILB	6-3	245	Clemson	# 7 ILB	Round 3
4	129	Chandler, Scott	TE	6-7	257	Iowa	# 6 TE	Round 3
5	172	Naanee, Legedu	WR	6-2	225	Boise State		Late Round Value
7	240	Siler, Brandon	ILB	6-2	238	Florida	# 4 ILB	Round 3
FA		Hicks,Jarrett	WR	6-3	210	Texas Tech		Off My Board
FA		Arline, Anthony	CB	6-1	195	Baylor	#12 CB	Round 3
FA		Buckley, Eldra	RB	5-10	202	Tenn-Chat		Late Round Value
FA		Battle, Tra	FS	5-10	173	Georgia		Late Round Value
FA		Roach, Nick	ILB	6-1	246	Northwestern		Late Round Value
FA		Robertson, Erik	G/C	6-3	312	California		Late Round Value
FA		Leonard, Louis	DT	6-5	322	Fresno State		Late Round Value