San Diego Chargers NFL Team Column
 | By Scott Garrison |
| 27 April 2007 |
Chargers 2008 NFL Draft Recap
The first day of the 2008 NFL draft was full of trades, suspense, and questionable picks. However, for Chargers fans, it was mostly a day full of watching other teams try to improve their rosters. Of the sixty-three players selected today, only one will be playing in the beautiful San Diego weather:
Day 1:
Most teams would worry about only having five picks in the draft, and only one in the first four rounds, but the Chargers need not worry. There are not many pressing needs on the ultra-talented roster so they can afford to have few selections. Although it would have been beneficial to trade down and collect more draft picks, the selection of Cason was a solid one. Despite the emergence of Antonio Cromartie, cornerback became a shallow position with Drayton Florence leaving through free agency. Quentin Jammer and Cromartie combine to make a solid set of corners, but they need another one to solidify the depth chart. Cason, as the 27th pick, represents great value. Offensive line is also a need and it should be addressed in day 2.
Tomorrow, for those Chargers fans dedicated enough to still be watching, the draft will represent much more excitement. The Bolts have two 5th round selections, a 6th and a 7th. It will be interesting to see what direction the front office goes in tomorrow morning but you can bet they will somehow turn into gold.
Day 2:
This is basically the first day of the draft for a few teams, the Chargers included. With the first two rounds flying by yesterday, San Diego added only Antoine Cason, the CB out of Arizona. They went into the third round looking to fill positions at both offensive line and running back. Despite not expecting to pick until the 5th round, A.J. Smith pulled off a trade to move up to #69. Although I like the selection, Smith’s willingness to trade away draft picks is becoming frightening. They sent one of their 5th rounders this year and their 2nd round pick next year to the Patriots to move up. That makes next year’s draft the second in a row! without a second round draft pic! k; they gave up this year’s 2nd round pick to acquire Chris Chambers from the Dolphins last season.
RB Jacob Hester, LSU:
The running back/full back from LSU has the potential to be a special player, but I question the wisdom of giving up so much for him. While you can not question his heart, he is not your prototypical running back. He can hopefully step in as a full back to replace Lorenzo Neal but also can fill the #2 RB slot behind Ladainian Tomlinson. I love the addition of Hester, but I think he would have represented better value as a 4th or 5th round pick.
RB Marcus Thomas, UTEP:
I would like this selection more if they hadn’t just drafted Hester with their prior pick. Drafted 166th overall, Thomas can step in as a short yardage back for the Chargers. He had a monster year for UTEP last season with a 5.1 YPC and 16 touchdowns but I don’t really understand this selection. They already have Ladainian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles, and now Jacob Hester. I could see Thomas getting buried down the depth chart.
CB DeJuan Tribble, Boston College
The Chargers decided to use their first four selections on two running backs and two cornerbacks. I really don’t like this pick. He is a small corner with character concerns; he has been arrested and charged with assault & battery. Tribble has potential as a kick returner but they already have Darren Sproles for that.
OT Corey Clark, Texas A&M
Clark represents amazing value towards the end of the 7th round. The Chargers would have been better suited targeting the offensive line earlier in the draft, but they may have gotten a steal with this one. He has a big frame and tons of experience playing in the Big 12 for three years. I would not be surprised to see him work his way into the starting lineup in a year or two.
Overall, the 2008 draft was a rather lackluster one for the Chargers. They only had one pick in the first day and traded away another 2nd round pick for a versatile player but A.J. Smith managed to get a lot out of a few draft picks. It will be interesting to see if they regret not targeting an offensive lineman in the earlier rounds. Now it is time to get the rookies into camp and see what they can do.