I'm at an internet cafe in Thailand, checking in to see what kind of deal the Chargers pulled off to bundle up some draft picks and low and behold, the Chargers stayed at 27 and got an excellent player. Who would have thought?
The thing I like about AJ Smith is that he doesn't make draft day trades for the sake of trading. If the there is a good deal to be made, he'll jump on it. But the team is also just as content to stay put and select the best player left on the board, and this year it was Arizona Cornerback Antonie Cason.
While I have been very vocal about the need to add additional defensive linemen, I have also had defensive back and offensive tackle among my top three biggest needs for the team; with a staggering eight offensive tackles selected between picks 1 through 26, all the offensive linemen with first round grades were gone by the time the Chargers time on the clock began.
First round Defensive tackle prospects were also not numerous and while Kentwan Balmer, Trevor Laws, and Philip Merling were available, I was not very high on any of those three and questioned their fit with the San Diego Chargers.
Running back is also a big need for the Chargers but again, a significant number of top prospects were off the board and the value simply wasn't there for a guy like Matt Forte or Ray Rice at pick 27.
As for safeties, everyone in the draft was still on the board but the Chargers obviously like the idea of Paul Oliver moving to safety and drafting a first round safety like Kenny Phillips would have caused a bit of a log jam, especially because you are counting on him to contribute right away and there simply wasn't room on the roster for him to do so.
So this brings us back to the cornerbacks and the draft class was deep with them, which was a big bonus for the Bolts. Brandon Flowers was a guy who many were projecting the Chargers were going to draft but I was honestly sceptical about his pro prospect potential. He is pretty undersized for the position and while he dominated at the collegiate level, there were some potential red flags concerning his character. Flowers eventually went off the board just a handful of picks later to the Kansas City Chiefs, so it'll be interesting to see how the careers of Flowers and Cason blossom in the AFC West.
Cason has something the Chargers love in a prospect: production. The guy simply lit it up at the college level. A four year starter with a ton of interceptions, ridiculously good character, and Southern California roots. I watched Cason's interviews at the Combine and was blown away with how eloquent he is. The guy speaks like a man who is 41, not 21. Antonie was first team All-American, and is also the 2007 Jim Thorpe award winner which basically means he was the best defensive back in the nation last year.
Overall, I am very satisfied with the addition of Cason into the backfield and his presence as the third corner will make it extremely difficult for teams to throw the ball on the Chargers. While I admit that I didn't hype Cason to the Chargers much on this blog, he was certainly a guy who I filed away in the back of my head as someone who would look surprisingly good in Bolts.
As for the Chargers, it looks like they'll continue the trend of selecting linemen late in the draft...is anyone surprised?
Subscribe in a reader
Antoine Cason A Great Pick For The Chargers
Buddy Nix Sheds Some Light On The Draft
A quick post before I leave for Thailand...some quotes from Chargers Assistant General Manager/Director of Player Personnel Buddy Nix. Nix is AJ Smith's right-hand man and is responsible for college scouting. In a recent interview on local station MightyXX, Buddy had shared some insight on the draft:
On deep positions in the draft:
You know, I think offensive linemen. I think offensive tackles especially are deep. I think corners; we've got some depth at corner. And it looked like running back was going to be a little bit slighted but then the Juniors come out and now running back looks pretty strong. And you got a lot of receivers, maybe not a marquee guy but a really deep draft in receivers that will have a chance.
Does 'depth' mean you can find potential starters in rounds 4 and later?
Yea that, and guys that can make your team. I don't think it necessarily has to be starters, especially with us. It kind of (comes down to) what you've got on your team that determines whether or not they can be starters. But 'depth' to me is players that can come in and contribute; help you win, help your team get better.
Is Darren Sproles a situational guy or a backup running back?
I think he's a situation guy. And he proved last year his worth by far as a returner and as a change of pace guy. Coach Turner really used him to his potential I thought, and probably will be able to do that again. Yea, I think he's a situation guy.
Do you replace Michael Turner with similar-type of runner, or are you simply looking for a quality backup?
I think you're looking for a guy who can be a backup running back. A change of pace guy; you'd kind of like to give them something different. A big back, somebody that was a pounder late in the game or late in the first half. But it doesn't necessarily have to be that way. If its a guy that's similar to the one you got, and he's good enough to come in and contribute, then you've helped your team.
On Michael Turner's value and talent:
You know we got Michael Turner in the fifth round, and if you're looking for a fifth rounder that's as good as he is, then...you know, I don't believe lightning strikes twice in the same place, so it'd be pretty hard to find that.
On the possibility of trading down and acquiring more draft picks:
You know, you just never know. It takes two to trade. Just because you want to trade down, doesn't mean you can. It takes somebody else wanting to move up. I know this; I know what my job is, and our job as personnel people is to be prepared. If (AJ Smith) walks in with ten minutes to go or fifteen minutes to go and says we got the next pick, and if that's in the second round we've got to be ready, and not be scrambling around and giving a blank look like 'where do we go from here?' so we've got to be ready like we got a pick every round.
There are a few things I take away from this interview; One thing that seems to be a common thread is that the Chargers front office feels strongly that there is a strong group of offensive tackles in this draft, and they've reiterated that it isn't necessarily top heavy. They've intimated that the depth is multiple rounds deep. Does that mean that there is less of a need to jump on a tackle in the first round if they can get a good player later?
I find it interesting that they continue to praise Darren Sproles' return ability, but it seems they obviously will be looking to draft a backup running back. While the need for a running back is obvious, I personally feel the Chargers could upgrade their return game. I think Sproles is a good player, but I think the Chargers could get someone for competition and we already know they've met with guys with great return skills like Eddie Royal.
And as for finding that backup running back, it would seem likely that they take a back on day one if the right one is there. Nix mentioned that finding a guy with Michael Turner's skill just doesn't happen all that often by waiting until round 5. I could easily see the Chargers drafting a running back before the draft and offensive lineman, simply due to the value.
Anyways, I've got to run some last minute errands before I fly out of the country, so this will be my last post for a while. Peace!
Subscribe in a reader
New Quotes From AJ Regarding The Draft
The guys at Mighty1090 got a chance to chat with Chargers GM AJ Smith and asked him a variety of questions. I typed up some of Smith's more interesting responses:
On Paul Oliver as a Cornerback or Safety:
Well we drafted him as a corner/safety. Good football player, let it unfold. The coaches will take that under consideration and they’re thinking about it right now. Where does he actually get penciled in? Probably penciled in as a safety if we’re talking about a paper exercise on a depth chart. Could be a nickel guy. Maybe we have injuries and he fills in at corner. He’s a versatile player but I’ll let the coaches handle what they think about that.
On approaching the draft with such a limited number of picks:
We are going to prepare, gameplan, and execute as if we had a full compliment of draft picks. But we don’t. But the reason we do that is because it makes football sense.
On the depth of certain positions in this draft:
I always hate to participate in these things and tell you what I think of the depth (at the various positions), but I’ve always said every draft is a good draft whether you have eleven picks or five picks. I will jump in and say where it’s deep; in particular, (offensive) tackles. If you need one, or a backup, very deep through the first three or four rounds. An awful lot of quality players that I’ve seen out there. No question about that.
On upcoming player contracts:
All we have is the players on this team right now, with the season coming up. What happens after that…you know…Chargers whether they have six year contracts, one year, three years; you’re a Charger one year at a time. And our team is being built for this season. Whatever happens during the course of that season or after that season we’ll huddle up as and organization and find out how want to proceed in ’09. So everyone else who has the opinion, and is slotting in who’s going to be here and not here, and who we’re going to draft and who’s probably going to be left go in September… I let everyone do that, and when we make changes, we announce it.
Something else I found interesting was that Smith is pretty high on Darren Sproles, which shouldn't come as too much of a surprise considering he drafted him. Smith said he was “pleased with him” and that Sproles had a “terrific year.” He qualified those statements by saying Sproles’ role on offense and special teams is ultimately a coaching decision.
Subscribe in a reader
Video Of My Favorite First Round Prospects
Patrick Lee - Cornerback - 6'0" 200lbs
Dre Moore - Defensive Tackle - 6'4" 305lbs
Felix Jones - Running Back - 6'0" 205lbs
Gosder Cherilus - Offensive Tackle - 6'6" 315lbs Subscribe in a reader
Chargers Take Kenny Phillips In SBNation Mock
The SBNation guys are doing their annual bloggers mock over at MockingTheDraft and were kind enough to ask me to represent the Chargers.
Here is my pick:
With the 27th overall selection in the 2008 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, the San Diego Chargers have selected Miami safety Kenny Phillips. Our guest Chargers GM, Rob Zepeda of Bolt Hype, made the Phillips pick and kindly joins us to explain why Phillips is a perfect fit in San Diego:
This is a scenario that the Chargers would love to be in come draft day. Everything is available to them; Some good Defensive Backs are still on the board in Reggie Smith, Dajaun Morgan, Brandon Flowers, and Kenny Phillips. A couple of excellent tackles are there with Cherilus and Otah. And of course there's some nice D-Line help with Kentwan Balmer and Dre Moore available.
If the Chargers in this scenario were to pass on offensive tackle in round 1, then it is pretty likely that Jeff Otah and Gosder Cherilus fall to round 2. Factor in guys like Sam Baker and Carl Nicks, and all of a sudden the Chargers have a good reason to trade back into the second round and get an elite tackle with tremendous value. The Packers and Giants, picking at 30 and 31, are both considering defensive backs in the first round so you have to think that they would consider Reggie Smith, Brandon Flowers, or Kenny Phillips as legit first rounders. The Cowboys at pick number 28 are all be guaranteed to take running back Felix Jones. So in terms of value, Jones would be a great pick at 27. As for the defensive linemen, if the Chargers pass on Kentwan Balmer and Dre Moore, those two would almost certainly slip to round 2. While either player would be a good fit for the Bolts, neither is a sure-fire first rounder and both could easily slip to round 2.
If we go back to the 2006 draft, the Chargers were in dire need of a left tackle and had a couple of top prospects to choose from at pick 19. But the best player on their board was Antonio Cromartie. And by waiting to take a tackle in round 2, they allowed Marcus McNeil to fall into their laps. The SBNation 2008 Mock draft puts the Chargers in a familiar situation where the team can take the best avaialble player on their board. With Super Bowl expectations at an all-time high, the Chargers need a guy who can help the team win now. They need a guy who can be a part of the long-term, but also contribute immediately in some way. That narrows the prospects to Felix Jones, Kenny Phillips, Reggie Smith, Brandon Flowers, and Kentwan Balmer.
In this instance, based on need, value, current depth, and overall upside, I think the Chargers take Kenny Phillips, Safety - Miami. The Miami connection is one that shouldn't be underestimated considering that former first round Hurricanes who are now in the NFL have by and large been very sucessful making the transition. Also, those former 'Canes keep tabs on each other and push each other to be the best they can be. I think Phillips has tremendous upside and by pairing with Eric Weddle, those two would create one of the best safety tandems for years to come. We saw the Chargers' coaching staff use Weddle extensively in his rookie year, and although Phillips might not earn a starting job right away, he'll certainly see many snaps on defense.
Matt Miller, host of this site as well as owner of New Era Scouting, provides his analysis below:
My analysis can be summed up nicely by borrowing from Rob Zepeda's write up: "In this instance, based on need, value, current depth, and overall upside...". The Chargers badly need a safety who can make plays in the secondary, and a player who will eliminate half of the field in coverage. With their star corners Antonio Cromartie and Quentin Jammer, the Chargers are building one of the best young secondaries in football.
San Diego is without a 2nd round pick thanks to Chris Chambers, but they are a smart team and can draft for need at OT and DE later in the lottery.
Grade: A :: Kenny Phillips Scouting Report - New Era Scouting :: Matt Miller's Top Five Prospects Remaining: 1. LB Dan Connor, 2. LB Jerod Mayo, 3. QB Joe Flacco, 4. RB Felix Jones, 5. Kentwan Balmer
That's all she wrote for today, folks. We've only got four more first-round picks to make, so we'll have the first round wrapped up Friday morning. For now, we'll leave you with the Dallas Cowboys on the clock for the second time this round. Blogging the Boys will once again be making the pick.
Subscribe in a reader
BoltHype Picking For Chargers For 103.3 FM ESPN
EDIT: They didn't end up calling me so I got to helplessly listen to "Charles" pick Brandon Flowers with the 27th overall pick...
Just a heads up:
I'm picking for the Chargers today for the ESPN affiliate in the Dallas-Fort Worth area 103.3 FM.
Tune in here:
http://stations.espn.go.com/stations/espn1033/story?id=listenlive
Here is how it all went down:
The mock order:
1. Dolphins - Chris Long
2. Atlanta - Matt Ryan
3. Raiders - Darren McFadden
4. Chiefs - Jake Long
5. Jets - Vernon Gholston
6. Patriots - Leodis McKelvin
7. Ravens - Glenn Dorsey
8. Bengals - Sedrick Ellis
9. Saints - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
10. Rams - Ryan Clady (Rams dropped down to the tenth pick on purpose)
11. Bills - Devin Thomas
12. Broncos - Brandon Albert
13. Panthers - Jeff Otah
14. Bears - Brian Brohm
15. Lions - Rashard Mendenhall
16. Cardinals - Jonathan Stewart
17. Vikings - Derrick Harvey
18. Texans - Aqib Talib
19. Eagles - Chris Williams
20. Bucs - Mike Jenkins
21. Redskins - Calais Campbell
22. Cowboys - Felix Jones
23. Steelers - Keith Rivers
24. Titans - Desean Jackson
25. Seahawks - Kentwan Balmer
26. Jaguars - Phillip Merling
27. Chargers - Brandon Flowers (wasn't me. Charles picked him...who's Charles??)
28. Cowboys - Justin King
29. 49ers - Malcolm Kelly
30. Packers - Kenny Phillips
31. Giants - Jerod Mayo Subscribe in a reader
Reggie Smith and Malcolm Kelly Run SLOW
Early word out of the workout featuring the two former Sooners is that Reggie Smith ran in the 4.6 range and Malcolm Kelly ran in the 4.7s. This will surely effect their draft stock as now Smith is firmly a safety prospect instead of a possible cornerback and Kelly can no longer be considered a top 2 wide receiver prospect. Scouts don't based their rankings exclusively on how fast a guy runs a forty yard dash but to say that those times don't mean much is just being naive. Subscribe in a reader
For Fans Of Grade A Beef
This post is for all you guys out there who want some Grade-A beef in the trenches; I present to you Demario Pressley. This former Wolpacker is built like a Mack truck at 6'3" 301lbs. I think he has the type of thick, squatly frame to nicely project to nose tackle in a 3-4 down the road.
NC State in recent years has become somewhat of a D-line factory, sending guys like Mario Williams, Tank Tyler, John McCargo, and Manny Lawson (who has since shifted out to OLB) into the NFL. Read what Mr. Pressley had to say at the Combine and try not to come away impressed...it'll be hard:
"I think I took something small from each of those guys," Pressley said. "From Tank I took note of his power. From Johnny Mac it was his quickness and from Mario his speed and his technique. His technique as a defensive lineman was insane."
What have you been up to today?
"Just some meetings and I took the Wonderlic."
What was the Wonderlic like?
"It was pretty good. I had never taken the Wonderlic until today. I think I did all right."
What was the strangest question on the test?
"There was nothing really strange. It (the test) had questions like, 'Say if you are (working) at a Wal-Mart and you have employees. You pay off the base (salary) of the day and you need $12,000 the first day, $16,000 tomorrow and $20,000 the day after that, then what's the average?"
So it's a lot of math questions?
"I few of them. I hit probably about four hard ones."
You've had some injury issues. How do you feel right now?
"I feel good now. It was only this season and the only real issue was my right knee. I had that meniscus trim (that's what it sounds like on the tape). I feel fine now."
Are you going to do everything this week?
"yes sir."
What did you do to get in shape for the combine?
"I've been training at a place called WBI in Duluth, Ga. I've just been working with the trainers there and a defensive line coach to get ready."
Have you spoken with the Detroit Lions?
"yes sir."
How about the Buccaneers?
"Yes sir."
How did that meeting go with the Bucs?
"It went pretty well. I actually met with them today. The coach was talking to me and he actually taught me some things right there, about my hands and how to lock out and stuff like that."
That was the defensive line coach (Larry Coyer)?
"Yes sir."
N.C. State has had a lot of good defensive linemen the past few years. Has it helped
playing alongside those guys (Mario Williams, John McCargo and Tank Tyler)?
"I think I took something small from each of those guys. From Tank I took note of his power. From Johnny Mac it was his quickness and from Mario his speed and his technique. His technique as a defensive lineman was insane."
Have you stayed in touch with these guys?
"Everyone. Mario is hard to grab. But I have spoken with him in the past month."
When you guys made the coaching transfer from Amato to O'Brien, did
you have the same position coach?
"No, my coach has changed. My coach now is Keith Willis."
How was the transition?
"It was pretty good. There really wasn't that much that changed. Certain technique things were the same."
Have you gotten an idea of where teams are looking at you right now?
"Most teams are looking at me on the inside, but some teams, the teams with the big ends like the Chargers, are looking at me outside. Most teams are looking at me inside."
Is it possible that 3-4 teams are looking at you outside?
"Right, right."
It seems that most of the tackles here like to play the three technique. Not many of
them say they want to play the nose. It's tough to play that nose position, isn't it?
"You're going to hit each play, you're going to hit every down and your job will not get easier. It takes a man to play that position and I enjoy playing it. I can play every snap. I can do it all. I can play the three technique. I can play outside. I would be a big end, but I can play outside. As a nose tackle you have two or three guys on you every down and it gets kind of mean in there.
It's also harder to make plays because you're freeing up things for other players, right?
"You have to deal with that. You have to know that you're playing for the team and that you won't make a lot of plays. You have two or three guys on you every play. You're going to be busting it hard every play. You have to come to the fact that you are playing for the team."
How competitive was practice when you were there with Tyler and Williams and McCargo?
"It was very competitive. We still had on offense players like Jed Paulson and Chris Colmer, who played with the Bucs, and LeRoy Harris. So days got real hectic. Me and Tank were fighting for the other tackle because McCargo had one sewn up. It got real competitive between me and Tank."
Does it encourage you to see how high those guys went in the draft?
"I still watch John today. I still try to take notes watching him, Vince Wilfork, Tommie Harris. I try to get better in the small areas."
Did they help make you a better player?
"Yes, yes, yes. They taught me a lot of things, especially McCargo and Manny (Lawson). He worked with me on my technique. McCargo helped me a lot on my pass rush.
You mentioned Tommie Harris. What would it mean to have the opportunity to play alongside him?
"Playing with a Tommie Harris to me would be like a dream. I model myself after him. I watch him all the time."
Demario Pressley Highlights:
Subscribe in a reader
2008 Draft Prospects From San Diego
Kevin O'Connell, QB 6'5" 225lbs (Carlsbad, CA - La Costa Canyon High School)
The best Quarterback prospect to come out of San Diego State in recent memory, O'Connell possess impressive physical tools and has some serious upside. He can compete for a backup job early and there is a chance he could eventually start in the NFL.
Marcus Smith, WR 6'1" 220lbs (San Diego, CA - Morse High School)
Raw wide receiver who looks more like a big running back, this former Lobo was a playmaker who played with power. Intriguing guy who will probably be drafted in the fifth round.
Let me know if I missed someone and I'll update the list. Subscribe in a reader
Potentially The Best Safety In The 2008 Draft Class?
Dajuan Morgan
6'0" 205lbs, 4.5 speed - Draft Grade: 2nd-3rd round
There are a couple of former Wolfpackers who would fit in real nicely with the Chargers. The only problem being, is the Chargers lack the second, third, or fourth round picks it'll probably take to get these guys. The first guy I'll talk about is Safety Dajaun Morgan...
Physical and aggressive, Dajaun Morgan is everything the Chargers would be looking for in a guy who can compete for the starting strong safety job. Clinton Hart is the starter there now by default, but as we know Hart is a guy who lacks aggression and is not a guy who craves contact. Morgan, on the other hand is a guy who loves to mix it up. He can shed blocks and get to the ball carrier and deliver the finishing blow once he arrives.
Morgan also has great range and although he doesn't have the best natural ball skills (drops the occasional interception), he is frequently in position to make a play. He is a competitor and a leader and plays with real passion for the game. I see Morgan as a great fit at strong safety but he is versatile enough to play both spots. With his natural talent and love for the game, Morgan is viewed as a guy who could emerge as the 2008 draft's best safety.
I have said this before, and it deserves reiteration: There is the chance that the Chargers secondary regresses a bit in terms of tackling. Weddle and Jammer are great tacklers, but Cromartie is still looking to improve in that area. We don't yet know who is going to play nickle corner (Paul Oliver?) and Clinton Hart is not a good open field tackler. It's important that the team has a guy who can perform clean-up duties and help be an enforcer.
Dajuan Morgan highlights: Subscribe in a reader
Potential First Round Targets For The Chargers
Posted from mobile
I've done some studying on how the best teams draft and one of the most important factors the really good teams consider is "How does the player fit our team?"
You'll hear guys like Scott Pioli and Bill Polian talk about their approach is one which focuses on their club. Can the player be effective in our scheme? Do they fit the profile of our team from a character and work ethic standpoint? Can they help us win now, or are they part of the long-term future? How much value do they bring the team? Can they play multiple positions? Are they versatile? Are they smart?
These are questions that the good teams ask, so when you compare draft boards of say, the Houston Texans versus the San Diego Chargers, you'll probably see some very different rankings. The type of defensive linemen that fits a 4-3 wont always be good fits in a 3-4. A cornerback who wont be a good fit in 3-4 man defense might be great playing more zone or cover 2.
Specifically speaking on the San Diego Chargers and their needs on defense, offense, and special teams, these are the players I have identified as potential first round picks for the Bolts:
Defensive Backs
The Bolts need versatile guys who are tough and physical. In a cornerback, they would like to find a guy who can play the slot and who can support the run. In a safety, they would look for guys who are versatile and can play both safety spots. They're looking for a bigger defensive back who can tackle and can play in different packages.
1. DB Leodis McKelvin
2. DB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
3. DB Reggie Smith
4. FS Kenny Phillips
5. DB Patrick Lee
6. SS DaJuan Morgan
Defensive Linemen
Nose tackle is a position that needs depth and there is also a need for a defensive end who can play the five technique. They like big, strong, athletic ends who have long arms and can dominate their gap. Guys who can pass rush as well as stop the run are highly coveted by this team.
1. DT Glenn Dorsey
2. DT Sedrick Ellis
3. DE Phillip Merling
4. DT Kentwan Balmer
5. DE Calais Campbell
6. DT Dre Moore
Offensive Linemen
Depth is a concern at tackle and guard so finding a player who can play both spots is very valuable. The Chargers employ a power run game and like guys who are physical and dominant. A finesse blocker wouldn't be a great fit here and the Chargers already have a Pro Bowl left tackle so they would like to find a guy who can play on the right side, but also has the ability to play on the left if need be.
1. OT Jake Long
2. OG Branden Albert
3. OT Jeff Otah
4. OT Gosder Cherilus
Running Back
Ladainian Tomlinson is still in his prime but he has had a ton of carries so far in his NFL career and broke down towards the end of last season. While he is still the catalyst for the offense, depth is certainly a concern with the loss of Michael Turner so the team needs to find a guy who can help Tomlinson carry the load. Turner averaged about 75+ carries a season for the past two years and also helped as a returner. The Chargers need to find someone who can get 5-10 touches a game and be a security blanket if anything catastrophic were to happen to #21.
1. Darren McFadden
2. Jonathan Stewart
3. Rashard Mendenhall
4. Felix Jones
Wide Receiver
The team is very deep at wide receiver and wont likely draft one. However, Desean Jackson is a possibility because of his incredible return skills. The team took Buster Davis last year in the first round but the third receiver spot won't be handed to Davis without him earning it.
1. WR DeSean Jackson Subscribe in a reader
BoltHype Big Board - Top 45 Prospects
Note: This list takes into account players with serious red flags character-wise and those prospects are removed from my board entirely.
1. Chris Long
2. Darren McFadden
3. Jake Long
4. Vernon Gholston
5. Glenn Dorsey
6. Sedrick Ellis
7. Leodis McKelvin
8. Jonathan Stewart
9. Keith Rivers
10. Desean Jackson
11. Derrick Harvey
12. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
13. Matt Ryan
14. Ryan Clady
15. Quentin Groves
16. Brandon Albert
17. Limas Sweed
18. Rashard Mendenhall
19. Philip Merling
20. Felix Jones
21. Brian Brohm
22. Mike Jenkins
23. Chris Williams
24. Dan Connor
25. Mike Jenkins
26. Reggie Smith
27. Jeff Otah
28. Malcolm Kelly
29. Antoine Cason
30. Mario Manningham
31. Kenny Phillips
32. Aqib Talib
33. Gosder Cherilus
34. Dre Moore
35. Calais Campbell
36. Lawrence Jackson
37. Patrick Lee
38. Dajuan Morgan
39. Chad Henne
40. DeMario Pressley
41. Jerod Mayo
42. Sam Baker
43. Erin Henderson
44. Kentwan Balmer
45. Chilo Rachal Subscribe in a reader
Entire NFL Draft Order As Of 3-31-08
ROUND ONE
1- 1- 1 Miami
1- 2- 2 St. Louis
1- 3- 3 Atlanta
1- 4- 4 Oakland
1- 5- 5 Kansas City
1- 6- 6 New York Jets
1- 7- 7 New England from San Francisco
1- 8- 8 Baltimore
1- 9- 9 Cincinnati
1-10-10 New Orleans
1-11-11 Buffalo
1-12-12 Denver
1-13-13 Carolina
1-14-14 Chicago
1-15-15 Detroit
1-16-16 Arizona
1-17-17 Minnesota
1-18-18 Houston
1-19-19 Philadelphia
1-20-20 Tampa Bay
1-21-21 Washington
1-22-22 Dallas from Cleveland
1-23-23 Pittsburgh
1-24-24 Tennessee
1-25-25 Seattle
1-26-26 Jacksonville
1-27-27 San Diego
1-28-28 Dallas
1-29-29 San Francisco from Indianapolis
1-30-30 Green Bay
1-31- New England Forfeited
1-32-31 New York Giants
ROUND TWO
2- 1-32 Miami
2- 2-33 St. Louis
2- 3-34 Atlanta from Oakland
2- 4-35 Kansas City
2- 5-36 New York Jets
2- 6-37 Atlanta
2- 7-38 Baltimore
2- 8-39 San Francisco
2- 9-40 New Orleans
2-10-41 Buffalo
2-11-42 Denver
2-12-43 Carolina
2-13-44 Chicago
2-14-45 Detroit
2-15-46 Cincinnati
2-16-47 Minnesota
2-17-48 Atlanta from Houston
2-18-49 Philadelphia
2-19-50 Arizona
2-20-51 Washington
2-21-52 Tampa Bay
2-22-53 Pittsburgh
2-23-54 Tennessee
2-24-55 Seattle
2-25-56 Green Bay from Cleveland
2-26-57 Miami from San Diego
2-27-58 Jacksonville
2-28-59 Indianapolis
2-29-60 Green Bay
2-30-61 Dallas
2-31-62 New England
2-32-63 New York Giants
ROUND THREE
3- 1-64 Miami
3- 2-65 St. Louis
3- 3-66 Kansas City
3- 4-67 Carolina from New York Jets
3- 5-68 Atlanta
3- 6-69 New England from Oakland
3- 7-70 Chicago from San Francisco
3- 8-71 Jacksonville from Baltimore through Buffalo
3- 9-72 Buffalo
3-10-73 Minnesota from Denver
3-11-74 Carolina
3-12-75 San Francisco from Chicago
3-13-76 Detroit
3-14-77 Cincinnati
3-15-78 New Orleans
3-16-79 Houston
3-17-80 Philadelphia
3-18-81 Arizona
3-19-82 Minnesota
3-20-83 Tampa Bay
3-21-84 Washington
3-22-85 Tennessee
3-23-86 Seattle
3-24-87 Detroit from Cleveland
3-25-88 Pittsburgh
3-26-89 Jacksonville
3-27-90 Chicago from San Diego
3-28-91 Green Bay
3-29-92 Dallas
3-30-93 Indianapolis
3-31-94 New England
3-32-95 New York Giants
3-33-96 Washington (Compensatory Selection)
3-34-97 Cincinnati (Compensatory Selection)
3-35-98 Atlanta (Compensatory Selection)
3-36-99 Baltimore (Compensatory Selection)
ROUND FOUR
4- 1-100 Miami
4- 2-101 St. Louis
4- 3-102 New York Jets
4- 4-103 Atlanta
4- 5-104 Oakland
4- 6-105 Kansas City
4- 7-106 Baltimore
4- 8-107 San Francisco
4- 9-108 Denver
4-10-109 Carolina
4-11-110 Chicago
4-12-111 Detroit
4-13-112 Cincinnati
4-14-113 New York Jets from New Orleans
4-15-114 Buffalo
4-16-115 Philadelphia
4-17-116 Arizona
4-18-117 Minnesota
4-19-118 Houston
4-20-119 Denver from Washington
4-21-120 Tampa Bay
4-22-121 Seattle
4-23-122 Cleveland
4-24-123 Pittsburgh
4-25-124 Tennessee
4-26- San Diego Exercised in Supplemental Draft
4-27-125 Jacksonville
4-28-126 Dallas
4-29-127 Indianapolis
4-30-128 Green Bay
4-31-129 New England
4-32-130 New York Giants
4-33-131 Philadelphia (Compensatory Selection)
4-34-132 Buffalo (Compensatory Selection)
4-35-133 Baltimore (Compensatory Selection)
4-36-134 Tennessee (Compensatory Selection)
4-37-135 Green Bay (Compensatory Selection)
ROUND FIVE
5- 1-136 Kansas City from Miami
5- 2-137 St. Louis
5- 3-138 Atlanta
5- 4-139 Denver from Oakland
5- 5-140 Kansas City
5- 6-141 Carolina from New York Jets
5- 7- San Francisco Forfeited
5- 8- Baltimore Exercised in Supplemental Draft
5- 9-142 Chicago from Carolina
5-10-143 Jacksonville from Chicago through Buffalo
5-11-144 Detroit
5-12-145 Cincinnati
5-13-146 New Orleans
5-14-147 Buffalo
5-15-148 Denver
5-16-149 Arizona
5-17-150 Minnesota
5-18-151 Houston
5-19-152 Philadelphia
5-20-153 Tampa Bay
5-21-154 Washington
5-22-155 Cleveland
5-23-156 Pittsburgh
5-24-157 Tennessee
5-25-158 Jacksonville from Seattle
5-26-159 Jacksonville
5-27-160 San Diego
5-28-161 Indianapolis
5-29-162 Green Bay
5-30-163 Dallas
5-31-164 New England
5-32-165 New York Giants
5-33-166 San Diego (Compensatory Selection)
ROUND SIX
6- 1-167 Dallas from Miami
6- 2-168 St. Louis
6- 3-169 Oakland
6- 4-170 Kansas City
6- 5-171 New York Jets
6- 6-172 Atlanta
6- 7-173 Baltimore
6- 8-174 San Francisco
6- 9-175 Chicago
6-10-176 Detroit
6-11-177 Cincinnati
6-12-178 New Orleans
6-13-179 Buffalo
6-14-180 St. Louis from Denver
6-15-181 Carolina
6-16-182 Minnesota
6-17-183 Denver from Houston
6-18-184 Philadelphia
6-19-185 Arizona
6-20-186 Washington
6-21-187 Kansas City from Tampa Bay
6-22-188 Pittsburgh
6-23-189 Seattle from Tennessee
6-24-190 Cleveland from Seattle
6-25-191 Philadelphia from Cleveland
6-26-192 San Diego
6-27-193 Minnesota from Jacksonville
6-28-194 New York Giants from Green Bay
6-29-195 Miami from Dallas
6-30-196 Indianapolis
6-31-197 New England
6-32-198 New York Giants
6-33-199 New York Giants (Compensatory Selection)
6-34-200 Philadelphia (Compensatory Selection)
6-35-201 Indianapolis (Compensatory Selection)
6-36-202 Indianapolis (Compensatory Selection)
6-37-203 Philadelphia (Compensatory Selection)
6-38-204 Miami (Compensatory Selection)
6-39-205 Indianapolis (Compensatory Selection)
6-40-206 Baltimore (Compensatory Selection)
6-41-207 Cincinnati (Compensatory Selection)
ROUND SEVEN
7- 1-208 Miami
7- 2-209 Minnesota from St. Louis
7- 3-210 Kansas City
7- 4-211 New York Jets
7- 5-212 Atlanta
7- 6-213 Oakland
7- 7-214 San Francisco
7- 8-215 Baltimore
7- 9-216 Detroit
7-10-217 St. Louis from Cincinnati
7-11-218 New Orleans
7-12-219 Buffalo
7-13-220 Denver
7-14-221 Carolina
7-15-222 Chicago
7-16-223 Houston
7-17-224 Buffalo from Philadelphia
7-18-225 Arizona
7-19-226 Oakland from Minnesota through New York Jets
7-20-227 Denver from Tampa Bay
7-21-228 Washington
7-22-229 Tennessee
7-23-230 Philadelphia from Seattle
7-24-231 Cleveland
7-25-232 Atlanta from Pittsburgh
7-26-233 Seattle from Jacksonville
7-27-234 San Diego
7-28-235 Dallas
7-29-236 Indianapolis
7-30-237 Green Bay
7-31-238 New England
7-32-239 Kansas City from New York Giants
7-33-240 Baltimore (Compensatory Selection)
7-34-241 Carolina (Compensatory Selection)
7-35-242 Washington (Compensatory Selection)
7-36-243 Chicago (Compensatory Selection)
7-37-244 Cincinnati (Compensatory Selection)
7-38-245 Miami (Compensatory Selection)
7-39-246 Cincinnati (Compensatory Selection)
7-40-247 Chicago (Compensatory Selection)
7-41-248 Chicago (Compensatory Selection)
7-42-249 Washington (Compensatory Selection)
7-43-250 Carolina (Compensatory Selection)
7-44-251 Buffalo (Compensatory Selection)
7-45-252 St. Louis (Compensatory Selection) Subscribe in a reader
Bolts Get Fifth Round Compensatory Pick
The NFL awarded the Chargers one compensatory pick today:
5th round (166 overall)
Chargers draft order as it stands today:
Round 1 (27-27 overall)
Round 5 (27-160 overall)
Round 5 (33-166 overall) Compensatory
Round 6 (26-192 overall)
Round 7 (27-234 overall)
We need more day one picks. All those late round picks can be used on offensive linemen as far as I'm concerned. I'm sure AJ Smith can find a diamond in the rough...its his MO. We need some defensive playmakers in the secondary and on the line. Those guys are usually found on day one.
Atlanta now has THREE second rounders, TWO third rounders, and still hold the 3rd overall pick in the draft...wow. Subscribe in a reader
LA Times Mock Draft Nails Charger Pick
Sam Farmer of the LA Times just posted his mock draft and I gotta say, he nailed the Chargers pick.
27. San Diego - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas - Not so long ago, the Chargers had an embarrassment of riches at this spot. Not anymore.
There is a sense of trepidation among fans when it comes to drafting an offensive playmaker in the first round over what might seem like bigger needs in the secondary and trenches, but the bottom line is that Jones is a guy who rates highly in this draft and one thing is certain -AJ Smith will stay true to his board. If Jones is highest ranked player available at pick 27, Smith will snap the guy up in a heartbeat.
Mr. Farmer of the LA Times did leave the injured Jonathan Stewart out of the first round, so I would imagine if it came down to it, the Chargers would take Stewart over Jones. They have taken gambles on guys like that in the past and its usually paid of huge for them. Marcus McNeil slipped out of the first round due to concerns about his back and Antonio Cromartie didn't even play football the season before the 2006 draft! Subscribe in a reader
Kentwan Balmer Vs. Dre Moore
You'll often see mock drafts where the Chargers are selecting Defensive Tackle Kentwan Balmer with the 27th overall pick. On one hand, I'm glad people realize the Chargers need to address depth along the defensive line. But at the same time, I wonder why Balmer is rated so highly - a sure fire first rounder - and yet a very similar type of player in Dre Moore is rated so low.
Lets compare the two and get a closer look at their similarities:
DT Kentwan Blamer - 6'4" 308lbs
Junior and Senior Seasons
2006 GP: 10 TKL: 16 TFL: 2.5 SCK: 2.5
2007 GP: 12 TKL: 59 TFL: 9.5 SCK: 3.5
Combine Stats
40 Yrd Dash: 5.29
20 Yrd Dash: 3.04
10 Yrd Dash: 1.71
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 33
Vertical Jump: 29
Broad Jump: 08'07"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.82
3-Cone Drill: 7.65
DT Dre Moore - 6'4" 305lbs
Junior and Senior Seasons
2006 GP: 13 TKL: 47 TFL: 7.5 SCK: 3.5
2007 GP: 13 TKL: 63 TFL: 8.5 SCK: 6.0
Combine Stats
40 Yrd Dash: 4.84
20 Yrd Dash: 2.70
10 Yrd Dash: 1.62
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 31
Vertical Jump: 28
Broad Jump: 08'09"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.55
3-Cone Drill: 7.73
So let me get this straight...Dre Moore is just as big and strong as Kentwan Balmer but also quicker and faster. Moore had a better college career statistically and yet he is rated far lower than Balmer is almost every draft publication and website. And to top it all off, they played in the same conference! I'm sorry, but I just don't understand why Moore doesn't get the love he deserves. In a draft class that isn't particularly deep at defensive tackle, I rate Moore as the third best DT... right behind Sedrick Ellis and Glenn Dorsey. Subscribe in a reader
Get FREE Sports Picks at www.docsports.com
Chargers Chat Up Mauling Offensive Lineman
The massive and versatile Kerry Brown has caught the eye of Chargers scouts. The team was spotted chatting up Brown at Appalachian State's pro day today. Brown is a huge lineman (6'6" 310lbs) who can play both guard and tackle and is known for punishing his opponents.
A 6-6, 310-pound two-time All-American, Brown earned the Jacobs Blocking Trophy — awarded to the SoCon’s top offensive lineman — for the second-straight year. He helped pave the way for an Appalachian offense that finished as the nation’s top-ranked offense (483.5 ypg). Behind Brown, ASU also ranked among the nation’s top 10 in scoring (42.7 ppg — second), rushing (287.4 ypg — third) and pass efficiency (161.29 — sixth). - Appalachian State Football
Kerry Brown is likely a late round or priority free agent and fits the Chargers mold of going after good linemen from smaller college programs late in the draft. Brown is very strong (32 bench reps of 225lbs) and would fit in well with the Chargers power running game. Subscribe in a reader Get FREE Sports Picks at www.docsports.com
Darren McFadden And Felix Jones Have Strong Pro Days
Darren McFadden was the main attraction at Arkansas' pro day but lets not forget about his running mate Felix Jones. 26 teams showed up for the workout today, with the Bears showing very strong interest in both McFadden and Jones.
Jones stood on his 40 time from the Combine (4.4's) but he did drills and looked good doing them. He bulked up a bit as well, weighing in at a solid 5'10" 210lbs.
"I felt I did pretty good. I mean, there is enough room to get a lot stronger. That'll be one of my things I'm going to work on."
Teams grilled Jones on whether or not he can be an every-down back in the NFL. Splitting time with McFadden, Jones was never the workhorse in Arkansas but still managed to run for over 1100 yards in back-to-back seasons.
"They just want to know if I'm an every-down back. It's pretty good when they ask me that because I didn't have a chance to show everybody at Arkansas," Jones said. "But once I get to a team and get a chance to show them, the team will really be happy."
Jones' former runningback coach Tim Horton thinks Felix has what it takes to carry the load if need be, and feels that Jones is being a bit underestimated:
"I think he can be an everydown back. He has all the attributes you're looking for. He's a good pass protector. He's deceivingly strong and deceivingly bigger than you think when you look at him. He's got a really big set of legs on him. ... You very, very rarely get a clean shot on him. Felix doesn't get near as many direct hits as Darren [McFadden] does. I don't think there's any doubt that he can and will handle [being a feature back]. ... If we were very smart, we would have given [the ball] to him more. He averaged over nine yards per carry. We didn't get it to him enough. He is such an explosive player. ... He's not a punt returner. He struggles to catch a punt. He'll catch about 85 percent of them, but you've got to have a guy better than 85 percent back there. ... He's got the feel - whatever 'it' is, he's got it. Anytime you get him the ball in space, something good is going to happen. ... He's maybe not as fast as Darren McFadden, but heck, who is? He's got really, really good speed. ... Good, not great [hands]. He generally caught the ball well in games, but every once in awhile, he'd drop a ball in practice that would make you think, 'What the heck?' ... The thing about Felix is all the intangibles he brings to the table. He is really a first-class kid. He's got that personality or charisma about him. The thing that everybody at Arkansas will remember about Felix is his smile. He's fun to be around. ... He's one of the ultimate team guys I've ever been around, but at the same time, he's very competitive. If things weren't going well and he was on the sideline, he'd say, 'Get me in there.'"
In my mind, Jones is a top 20 talent in this draft and I would rank him as the 4th best running back in this draft. The fact that Felix Jones is being considered a first round pick as the fourth-best running back speaks to the depth of that position this year.
As I have already expressed, I think if Jones is available at pick 27 the Chargers could easily draft him and he would make for a fine backup to Tomlinson and would compete with Darren Sproles' job on special teams.
Subscribe in a reader Get FREE Sports Picks at www.docsports.com
BoltHype Big Board - Top 15 Prospects
Everyone has their big board, and this is mine. The top 15 prospects in this draft as I see it are as follows:
1. Chris Long
2. Darren McFadden
3. Jake Long
4. Vernon Gholston
5. Glenn Dorsey
6. Sedrick Ellis
7. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
8. Jonathan Stewart
9. Keith Rivers
10. Desean Jackson
11. Derrick Harvey
12. Quentin Groves
13. Matt Ryan
14. Ryan Clady
15. Leodis McKelvin
In the coming days I'll lay out my top 40 prospects so be sure to check back! Subscribe in a reader Get FREE Sports Picks at www.docsports.com