Charger 2005 Draft Review

Well, I wasn't too far off in what I would like to see the Chargers draft and who they actually did...

Their first pick (12th overall) was used to draft a pass rushing linebacker, Shawne Merriman. The pass rush, as I mentioned on April 10th, was an area that needed to be addressed...and address it they did. With their second pick (28th overall) they drafted a defensive end. Of course getting some bad press because the player (Luis Castillo) admitted to using steroids in the offseason...something no pro athletes would dare do...yeah, right.

The Chargers then drafted Vincent Jackson, who is a highly touted reciever with good speed and good hands. They then picked up runing back Darren Sproles who, like Jackson, both can play special teams...so could be put into action relatively quick with the release of previous punt and kick returner, Tim Dwight.

The Chargers then use their final 3 selections to pick offensive lineman (OT-Wesley Britt, G - Wes Sims and G/C-Scott Mruczkowski)...again, as I mentioned prior to the draft, an area that the Chargers could use improvement and depth to help Tomlinson and the run game.

Most 'experts' have given high marks to the Chargers for the draft... but I put no value on any player until they have proven themselves on the field...so it will most definately be a 'wait and see' attitude for me.

Besides the draft, the Chargers then went on to sign 19 more undrafted free agents. Barring injuries and the unknown, the Chargers look to be sitting pretty good going into the 2005-06 season. I really liked looking at the Broncos draft... they drafted 3 cornerbacks and then Maurice Clarrett...apparently they have no db's and need a runningback? Are they the same Denver Broncos that the media gushes over how the 'system' they run just churns out 1,000 yard rushers? Didn't they just get Champ Bailey a shut-down corner? To me, it would seem that picking the players they did, especially at the time they did, seemed like they may have bigger problems then it appears. But as long as Jake Plummer is on the team, no NFL team needs to feel threatened by the Denver Broncos.

So in an early preseason move of 'cockiness' my AFC West standings look like this: 1. Chargers (and you mayl recall I had nothing but despair and bleakness predicted last year for the Chargers) 2. Kansas City - They are making the moves to make the defense better, something that should have been done last year 3. Oakland - You got Randy Moss but no one to throw the ball to him. 4. Denver - Jake Plummer is the quarterback of this team and then the Broncos draft defense and another running back...Plummer hasn't won a game by himself yet, why do they think he is going to start now?