Nobody has done a better job of evaluating young talent in recent years than the San Diego Chargers. In fact, all but 3 of their 25 projected starters (including special teams) were originally signed by the organization! Say what you want about General Manager A.J. Smith, who is well known for his sometimes irritable demeanor and crass ways, but the man has built quite a resume since taking over the team in 2003. Just take a look at this partial list of Pro Bowler’s that Smith is credited with bringing into the fold: Antonio Gates, Kris Dielman, Philip Rivers, Shawne Merriman, Marcus McNeill and Antonio Cromartie. Smith may not win any congeniality contests in the near future but that really doesn’t matter when he has an eye for talent like that. Even though they haven’t been able to get over the Super Bowl hump yet San Diego is still one of the league's most talented teams and top to bottom their depth chart is awfully stacked. The Chargers weren’t necessarily looking to plug a bunch of holes in their starting lineup on Draft Day but that doesn’t mean they were without needs. Will this crop of rookies round out their roster and push them over the top?
One of the biggest surprises of the 2009 NFL Draft came when San Diego chose Northern Illinois DE / OLB Larry English in the middle of round one. Not only was English considered to be more of a late first or early second round value but neither he or anyone else at his position had really been linked to the Chargers in the first round. It’s those types of curveballs that add to the intrigue and make the draft so much fun. Despite his lack of ideal size and just average timed speed English was an extremely productive pass rusher who racked up 57.0 tackles for a loss and 32.5 sacks during his Husky career. English, who was named the Mid-American Conference's Most Valuable Player two years in a row ('07 and '08), played defensive end in college but will be asked to make the transition to outside linebacker in the Chargers 3-4 scheme. There is certainly a lot to like about English but there are also some lingering question marks, ranging from concerns about the level of competition he faced in college to his relatively average measurables, some durability issues and the fact that he’ll be playing a new position. Furthermore, another outside linebacker was about the last thing San Diego needed, especially in round one. Sure Shawne Merriman is coming off an injury but between him, Shaun Phillips and unheralded youngster Jyles Tucker the Chargers appeared to be rock solid at the position. The only conclusion one can draw from this selection is that San Diego doesn’t intend to re-sign Merriman when he becomes a free agent next offseason and that English was brought in to be groomed as his replacement. Whether or not that is what transpires remains to be seen but for the time being English will be relegated to backup duty / a situational role and, barring injury, San Diego probably won’t get much of an impact from their top pick in 2009.
The Chargers second rounder belonged to New England as the result of a 2008 Draft Day trade to acquire Jacob Hester so their next pick didn’t come until round three, at which time they selected Texas Tech OG Louis Vasquez. A big (6-43/4, 333), strong, physical blocker with a mean streak, Vasquez came off the board a little earlier than expected but he could be the Chargers lone rookie starter. Vasquez will have to adjust to playing in a more conventional pro-style offense after working in the Red Raiders high-powered passing attack but he is expected to battle veteran Kynan Forney for the starting job at right guard and will at the very least provide some much-needed depth up front. San Diego wound up with three picks in the fourth round and they used the first on Western Ontario DT Vaughn Martin, who will actually play defensive end for the Chargers. Martin, who was born in Jamaica and raised in Canada, originally committed to Michigan State out of high school but didn’t qualify academically and spent a year at the Milford Academy prep school. Eventually Martin enrolled at Western Ontario and he caught the attention of scouts by shining in workouts, showcasing his athleticism by running a 5.00 forty at 6-3 and 331 pounds. Martin is still very raw and probably more of a long-term project but there is no question he possesses some rare physical tools. However, despite his considerable upside Martin was not expected to be chosen as early as he was and the Chargers probably reached a bit by taking him early in round four. Look for San Diego to bring Martin along slowly and he may not contribute much as a rookie but the reality is they really don’t have much at defensive end opposite Luis Castillo so when he is ready there should be some playing time available.
Later in the fourth round the Chargers brought in some more reinforcements for their offensive line when they chose Auburn OG Tyronne Green. A former defensive tackle, Green is a great athlete who is light on his feet and has been compared to a poor-man’s Ben Grubbs. San Diego plans to cross-train Green at both guard and center and he will be counted on to provide valuable depth at both spots as a rookie. With their next pick the Chargers reached once again, this time for Colorado St. RB Gartrell Johnson. A thick, powerful downhill runner, Johnson made a name for himself by rushing for 285 yards against Fresno St. in the New Mexico Bowl as a senior then followed it up with an impressive performance at the East / West Shrine Game. Johnson only managed to run in the 4.75 range at the Scouting Combine, which prompted some to question whether he might be more of a fullback prospect, but the Chargers plan to utilize him at running back. As a rookie Johnson will compete with Michael Bennett for the #3 job behind LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles but with Tomlinson’s time in San Diego coming to a close he could eventually serve as the “Thunder” to Sproles’ “Lightning”. The Chargers have three former #1 picks atop their depth chart at cornerback but they decided to add some depth in round five with the selection of Oregon State’s Brandon Hughes. A four-year starter with decent measurables and top-notch intangibles, Hughes was overshadowed by his teammate Keenan Lewis (3rd Round – Pittsburgh) at times but he is a fine player in his own right. Quentin Jammer, Antonio Cromartie and Antoine Cason are entrenched as the top three corners but Hughes could compete with Cletis Gordon for the dime job.
San Diego made an interesting pick in round six when they brought USC S Kevin Ellison into the fold. Ellison enjoyed a terrific college career with the Trojans but after running an abysmal 4.85 forty at 6-1 and 227 pounds at the Scouting Combine most teams began looking at him as a linebacker prospect. The Chargers intend to try Ellison at strong safety and due to a lack of talent at the position he might actually have a chance to compete with Clinton Hart for a starting job as a rookie. If nothing else he will provide depth and should be a standout on special teams. With their final pick of the draft San Diego took a flyer on L.S.U. WR Demetrius Byrd, who injured his brain and vertebrae in a car accident less than a week before the draft. Before the accident Byrd was considered to be at worst a mid round pick and there weren’t many wideout prospects in this draft who could match his unique blend of size (6-0, 199) and speed (4.42). Byrd, who didn’t even wake up and find out he had been drafted until a week after the accident, isn’t expected to play this season as he recuperates and undergoes therapy for his injuries but he was worth taking a chance on that late and the Chargers patience could start to pay dividends in 2010.
This class may not produce any instant starters but that doesn't mean they won't contribute by providing the type of quality depth that all elite teams need. With that said there is no denying that the Chargers reached for each of their top five picks, in some cases by multiple rounds. Questioning the personnel decisions of A.J. Smith and the Chargers is always a risky proposition, especially when you consider their track record, but it’s hard to see what they were thinking with a number of their picks this year. ONLY time will tell whether or not those misgivings are justified or if this class will serve as yet another reminder of why we shouldn't doubt the Chargers on Draft Day.
