San Diego Chargers NFL Draft Selections:
1st Round, 25th Overall – Jason Verrett, CB, TCU (9.0)
2nd Round, 50th Overall – Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB, Georgia Tech (8.6)
3rd Round, 89th Overall – Chris Watt, OG, Notre Dame (7.5)
5th Round, 165th Overall – Ryan Carrethers, DT, Arkansas State (7.2)
6th Round, 201st Overall – Marion Grice, RB, Arizona State (7.5)
7th Round, 240th Overall – Tevin Reese, WR, Baylor (6.7)
Overall Grade: 7.5/10
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If there was a team that won the 2013 NFL Draft, it was the San Diego Chargers, hauling in D.J. Fluker, Manti Te’o, and Keenan Allen in rounds one, two, and three, respectively. Heading into that draft I had the trio of prospects all graded as first-rounders, and each player flashed that kind of talent last season. In Tom Telesco’s first season as general manager, following Alex Spanos’ cleaning house after a disappointing 7-9 season, the Chargers rebounded with a 9-7 record and a playoff win, thanks in part to the talent added via the draft.
While the Chargers 2014 draft haul lacks the sizzle that last year’s did, the team was able to fill a few positions of need, which typically is not the best way of playing the draft, but is a sign of a team’s belief that they are a few pieces short of serious contention. The choice of Jason Verrett in round one is indicative of this mindset. Verrett is a player whose size likely relegates him to the slot, but has the type of athleticism to hang with almost any slot receiver. Given that the Chargers will be playing the Broncos twice during the regular season, who deploy the always dangerous Wes Welker out of the slot, this pick makes sense from a matchups standpoint. As slot receivers become an ever increasing focal point of NFL passing games, Verrett’s value should continue to improve as his career progresses.
After struggling for several seasons to find a consistent source of QB pressure off the edge, the Chargers once again looked to the draft for answers, selecting Jeremiah Attaochu in the second round. Former first-rounders Larry English and Melvin Ingram have both dealt with injuries and inconsistent play, while high-profile free agent signing Dwight Freeney also had injury troubles last season, only playing in three games and registering a career low in sacks with less than one. While Attaochu possesses a lot of raw talent and athleticism, he still plays a very raw game and will have some developing to do in order to become a consistent starter for the Bolts. Considering the team is looking for immediate help on the edge, this pick is somewhat surprising.
In round three, the Chargers went with offensive linemen Chris Watt out of Notre Dame. This is a particularly confusing pick as Watt would have fit much better in Norv Turner or Cam Cameron’s offense which was more predicated on power runs, than the zone blocking scheme which Mike McCoy and Ken Wisenhunt had begun incorporating into the offense last season. Watt is a strong and smart player, but is more well known for his power than his athleticism which is rather mediocre at best. It will be seen how San Diego looks to utilize a player who they reached for in the third, in an offense that is not catered to his strengths.
After not picking in round four, the Chargers found themselves a possible starting nose tackle, after letting Cam Thomas walk in the offseason. Like Thomas, Ryan Carrethers is a fifth round draft pick from a mid-major who possesses a huge frame and shocking strength to play the nose in a 3-4 defense. While not as highly regarded as Thomas coming out of college, Carrethers can come in and compete for a spot in the defensive line rotation immediately.
Marion Grice, the Chargers sixth round selection, nicely fits the mold of what the team has added at running back in recent years: a quick, zone-running back who also possesses strong receiver traits. While Grice can contribute as a change of pace back in a tertiary role, it is uncertain how much utilization he will get, considering that the Chargers already have Ryan Williams, Danny Woodhead, Donald Brown, and Kerwynn Williams on the roster.
With their final selection in round seven, the Chargers selected a potential role player in Tevin Reese. A diminutive receiver even by collegiate standards, Reese possesses impressive straight line speed, but is not the most fluid or developed of route runners. Reese could contribute as a pure vertical receiver on offense, or as a returner on special teams, but either way he looks to be a fringe roster player at best.
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