Chargers, Draft and Defensive Tackles

[TealSox]

Last year, the Chargers [AJ Smith] was aggressive in getting the guy he wanted in the first round, while the Patriots were casually moving down. If Smith is targeting Jordan, the Patriots might find themselves trading down [yet] again.

In terms of trade scenarios, I highly doubt the Vikings would trade out of the 12th spot with issues abound on the defensive line and Ray Edwards up in the air. More likely, I can imagine the Dolphins moving down; especially if they have a feeling that the Chargers will take Jordan before the Patriots can.

With five picks in the first three rounds of the draft, the San Diego Chargers figure to be a key part of any trade in the NFL this April. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune looks at what it would take for the Chargers to move up, and who they might be targeting when they get there.

Acee estimates that the Chargers could package their first-rounder (number 18 overall) with the 50th pick in the draft to move up to number 12 (currently held by the Minnesota Vikings). That would give them a chance to draft either J.J. Watt out of Wisconsin or Cal's Cam Jordan, two players who would fit in great at defensive end in the Bolts' 3-4 scheme.

That's what Acee would suggest to San Diego general manager A.J. Smith: "If the Chargers love either one -- and they should -- that would be a good move," he writes.

- Vince Verhei

NFL Rumors - NFL Trade Rumors, Free Agency Rumors and More - Rumor Central - ESPN

 

[jcdavey]

kevin acee is usually wrong, that said, if AJ sees a player he likes, he moves up for him

hard to tell what they're targeting right now

could go wr

 

[patriotscpfc]

"If" the Patriots are targetting Jordan.

I don't think they are, and it seems to be a pretty pointless article as they are saying that the Pats will trade down if the Chargers move up to take Jordan or Watt.

Maybe we're not after that position that early in the draft.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

kevin acee is usually wrong, that said, if AJ sees a player he likes, he moves up for him

hard to tell what they're targeting right now

could go wr

I know they liked Stephen Paea at one time.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I thought they were interested in Phil Taylor of Baylor as well.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I think CB is a bigger need than DL for the Vikings. And they will probably want to draft a young QB as well.

Minnesota was one of the oldest teams in the league last year, and it looks like they want to get younger in the draft. According to this article, they're looking to get a 3rd back as well:

The search begins now for rookies who can step in and play | StarTribune.com

The Vikings have seven picks in the seven-round draft, including an extra selection in the fifth round that was obtained in the trade that sent quarterback Sage Rosenfels and running back Darius Reynaud to the Giants last summer. The Vikings shipped their third-round pick to New England in the trade for wide receiver Randy Moss, but Spielman made it clear he's hoping to deal for a third-rounder.

If Peterson and Amukamara are gone, I could see them trading back, especially if they can pick up a 2nd. They could be in position to take one of the second-tier QBs or maybe an OT if they're sick of McKinnie's act.

As for San Diego, they've definitely got the picks to move up. They got an extra 2nd from the Cromartie trade, and an extra 3rd from the Whitehurst deal.

 

[mgteich]

Minny can certainly get back a 2nd for moving down in the first. They should be able to move down to about
17 and get a 3rd
22 and get a 2nd
28 and get a 2nd and a 3rd

.

If Peterson and Amukamara are gone, I could see them trading back, especially if they can pick up a 2nd. They could be in position to take one of the second-tier QBs or maybe an OT if they're sick of McKinnie's act.

As for San Diego, they've definitely got the picks to move up. They got an extra 2nd from the Cromartie trade, and an extra 3rd from the Whitehurst deal.

 

[Peachhead]

If Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton fall to the Vikes, and they trade down, despite their desperate need at QB. The entire Vikes' front office needs to be drug tested...then fired.

 

[MaineMan]

Hard to say what, if anything, SD might do in the draft on the defensive side. They were pretty good in 2010 but seem to have at least a couple key players in their prime or late prime (around 30 years old), at least a couple of whom are also FA.

Cesaire (6'2"/295) is 30 and a FA with not much apparent depth behind him (Travis Johnson?). Would they trade up for his replacement ( or eventual replacement)?

Garay is apparently a 31-year-old one-year-wonder at NT with Cam Thomas behind him and maybe Vaughan Martin (or is he more a DE?).

Both primary ILBs, Cooper(31) and Burnett(28) are FA, but would they spend the #18 on Wilson, Sheppard, McCarthy, etc.?

AT OLB, they have Phillips (20), Applewhite (FA), Barnes (FA, designated pass-rusher), Jyles Tucker (if he's ever healthy), the disappointing Larry English and a couple later-round rookies. Would they take an OLB that falls to them at #18 or move up to grab a preferred prospect?

Jammer is still highly productive at 31, but do they have a potential replacement handy?

Meanwhile, on offense:

V-Jax, Naanee and Floyd are all FA with Crayton (31), the promising Ajirotutu, Kelley Washington and Buster "Mr. IR" Davis behind.

Gates is 30. McMichael is 31. Kris Wilson and Kory Sperry don't appear to be starting caliber pass-catchers.

Starting RT Jerome Clary is FA. Backup QB Billy Volek is already 34 years old.
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IDK. WRT SD trading up for a player, nothing really jumps out at me on the defensive side except maybe OLB and CB. Their roster doesn't feature many high 1st-rounders aside from Jammer. Sorta like the Pats, they seem to have done a lot of good business in the late-1st and the 2nd.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Minny can certainly get back a 2nd for moving down in the first. They should be able to move down to about
17 and get a 3rd
22 and get a 2nd
28 and get a 2nd and a 3rd

Which is exactly why I think they would be willing to move, even if Jordan or another DL they liked was available. They have a lot of needs and could use the extra picks.

 

[jcdavey]

the sd D was #1 in the league but that was highly inflated, they really struggled mightily to get turnovers , seeming like all the turnovers they forced came in a handful of one sided games

 

[MaineMan]

the sd D was #1 in the league but that was highly inflated, they really struggled mightily to get turnovers , seeming like all the turnovers they forced came in a handful of one sided games

Not sure what you mean by "highly-inflated" or what that has to do with blowing out a couple of teams because they got a bunch of TOs in those games (instead of giving up a bunch).

 

[TealSox]

kevin acee is usually wrong, that said, if AJ sees a player he likes, he moves up for him

hard to tell what they're targeting right now

could go wr

I could definitely see the Chargers taking AJ Green if he was within range, but Crayton, Floyd and Ajirotutu played well last season when they were healthy. If Jackson sticks it out one more season, the Chargers will be pretty well stacked at WR.

 

[AQPE]

AT OLB, they have Phillips (20), Applewhite (FA), Barnes (FA, designated pass-rusher), Jyles Tucker (if he's ever healthy), the disappointing Larry English and a couple later-round rookies. Would they take an OLB that falls to them at #18 or move up to grab a preferred prospect?

Just curious, as I remember Larry English was one of the higher-touted OLB prospects a couple of years back and was a first rounder if I recall correctly. What happened there, why is he disappointing?

 

[DaBruinz]

If Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton fall to the Vikes, and they trade down, despite their desperate need at QB. The entire Vikes' front office needs to be drug tested...then fired.

Even if they have acquired Kevin Kolb?

 

[DaBruinz]

the sd D was #1 in the league but that was highly inflated, they really struggled mightily to get turnovers , seeming like all the turnovers they forced came in a handful of one sided games

The San Diego Defense was "#1" in the worthless stat of yards allowed.. They were 10th in points allowed. They were 14th in Interceptions and 27th in forced fumbles.

 

[DaBruinz]

I could definitely see the Chargers taking AJ Green if he was within range, but Crayton, Floyd and Ajirotutu played well last season when they were healthy. If Jackson sticks it out one more season, the Chargers will be pretty well stacked at WR.

The Chargers are going to be hurting at WR this year behind the franchised Vincent Jackson. Especially with Floyd and Crayton as UFA.

I'd love to see the Pats add Floyd, but I doubt they'll drop the sort of money that's needed to sign him.

 

[MaineMan]

The Chargers are going to be hurting at WR this year behind the franchised Vincent Jackson. Especially with Floyd and Crayton as UFA.

I'd love to see the Pats add Floyd, but I doubt they'll drop the sort of money that's needed to sign him.

According to RotoWorld contract tracking, Crayton is signed through 2011. V-Jax, Floyd and Naanee are their FAs at WR. Minor point, though, since Crayton vs. Naanee might not be considered a huge difference in the grand scheme of things.

 

[MaineMan]

Just curious, as I remember Larry English was one of the higher-touted OLB prospects a couple of years back and was a first rounder if I recall correctly. What happened there, why is he disappointing?

Mostly reflecting what I've heard from SD fans on other boards.

As the #16 overall pick in 2009, English has had 4 starts, 5 sacks and 46 tackles over two years and has been so far unable to beat out Antwan Applewhite (UDFA 2007) or 2010 acquisition Antwan Barnes for playing time. Maybe somewhat analogous to our Butler/Arrington situation.