San Diego Chargers 2008 NFL Draft Team Needs
June 9, 2008
General Manager A.J. Smith received a healthy five-year contract extension and deservedly so. Smith has arguably the most stable roster in the league due to his precise decision-making over the last few seasons. The Chargers figure to continue to follow their path of avoiding the splashy signings and settling for cheaper role players to fit specific needs as they build through the draft. Larry Cook gives you his 2008 San Diego Chargers NFL Draft predictions below.
2008 San Diego Chargers NFL Draft Needs:
1.) Offensive Line
This is a more pressing need for most NFL teams despite it being the Chargers No. 1 need. San Diego is so deep in most positions that there really isn’t a pressing need at any position. But their offensive line could use the most work. The Chargers look good for the short team, but they have to start thinking about a replacement for ORG Mike Goff who just finished his 10th season. Their offensive line could use a little more depth at the least.
2.) Safety
The Chargers are weakest at this position in terms of starters on defense. 2007 second-rounder Eric Weddle has a bright future, but starters Marlon McCree and Clinton Hart have done little in San Diego. McCree was late arriving to passes all over the field and doesn’t take the best angles, a crucial attribute of a starting safety.
3.) Defensive Line
NT Jamal Williams and DE’s Luis Castillo and Igor Olshansky are starters in their 3-4 that should be there cornerstones for years. The Chargers would just like to build up some extra depth to compete with Ryon Bingham, Brandon McKinney and Jacques Cesaire, as injuries have tended to creep here.
4.) Running Back
Michael Turner will only stay so long in San Diego as their key backup to LaDainian Tomlinson. He will be in search of green pastures and a starting job in free agency likely at the end of the season. Darren Sproles looked good when pressed into action late in the year, but the Chargers will need a big, durable back to fill the void Turner will be leaving behind in the near future.
5.) Cornerback
Second-year CB Antonio Cromartie earned a starting job and led the league in interceptions. Quentin Jammer locked up his long-term deal and is playing the best football of his career. It should be a surprise that the cornerback position falls on this needs list. But considering Drayton Florence, a starter until finally being overtaken by Cromartie at midseason, is expected to search for a starting job in free agency and a bigger payday. A need has now arrived for a nickel corner. Paul Oliver was taken in the supplemental draft last summer, but is largely unproven.
2008 NFL Draft Prospects to fit Offensive Scheme:
Norv Turner’s offensive philosophy is simple but affective. He installs a power running game, an accurate passing game that takes shots downfield and an emphasis on getting his tight ends involved. The Chargers have begun moving away from the I-formation that the departed Dam Cameron favored to utilize a wider variety of formations and keep opposing teams guessing at all times. OG Roy Schuening of Oregon State, OG Shawn Murphy of Utah State and OT Chad Rinehart of Northern Iowan would add some depth to the Chargers offensive line if called upon on Draft Day. RB Matt Forte of Tulane and RB Cory Boyd of South Carolina are two bigger backs that would fill the void left by Turner.
2008 NFL Draft Prospects to fit Defensive Scheme:
Ted Cottrell is from the same 3-4 school as Wade Phillips was, with a focus on closing down running lanes and putting opposition into obvious passing situations. This allows his play-making defenders to bring loads of pressure and force turnovers that are key to winning ball games. But he typically doesn’t bring the same amount of pass rushers as his predecessor, taking more of a conservative approach to his defensive philosophy.