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The NFL Draft Countdown is where we take a closer look at an NFL franchise to see what its transactions have been and what its needs are.
Franchise
- Draft Position: 28
- 2009 Season Result: 13-3 (1st in AFC West; Lost in Divisional Round)
- 2009 Head Coach: Norv Turner
- 2010 Head Coach: Norv Turner (90-98; 4-4)
Key Transactions
- RB LaDainian Tomlinson (to NYJ)
- TE Brandon Manumaleuna (to CHI)
- DT Jamal Williams (to DEN)
- CB Antonio Cromartie (to NYJ)
Draft Picks
- 1-28
- 2-8
- 3-27
- 4-28
- 5-28
- 5-37
- 7-28
Analysis & Outlook
After a very strong finish to the regular season, the Chargers lost at home to the Jets to miss a chance at the AFC Championship game. It’s almost like after that moment, they decided to re-evaluate the team and rebuild at certain positions by parting RB LaDainian Tomlinson, DT Jamal Williams and CB Antonio Cromartie.
On offense, they’ll need to bring in a feature back though to make their offense credible. RB Darren Sproles is not an every-down back. Moreover, they’ll want to re-sign restricted free agents WR Vincent Jackson and T Marcus McNeill.
On the defensive side, the Chargers will need to make an effort to re-sign LB Shawne Merriman who I expect will be better in the second year back from injury. They need him and others, like Larry English, to step in rushing the passer. The Chargers lacked big plays on defense and it’s something they’ll want to address.
In the first round, I see the Chargers going with a DT, a DB or a RB. Because they also have the eighth pick in the second round, they can play this smartly. I think they’ll target DTs Dan Williams and Terrence Cody, DBs Kyle Wilson, Devin McCourty and Patrick Robinson, and RBs Ryan Matthews and Jahvid Best for those two picks. After that, they’ll look to fill whatever they missed out on in the first two rounds as well as create more depth along the O-Line.
The Chargers can still be the dominant force in what is frankly a weak division. I expect Malcolm Floyd to break out in 2010 but the defense needs to become more consistent and come up with more big plays.