Chargers' draft outlook
An in-depth look at the Chargers' needs heading into the 2007 draft:
1. Safety. A playmaker at this spot has long been needed. The Chargers might use their first pick to replace strong safety Terrence Kiel, who likely will be released because of his legal troubles and problems in coverage. Miami's Brandon Meriweather is a potential late first-round pick and a ballhawk who could add a game-changing dimension the secondary has lacked.
2. Wide receiver. Vincent Jackson will be the No. 1 receiver, but the Chargers need to add some speed. The team has a possession receiver in Eric Parker and tall red zone weapons in Jackson (6-5) and Malcom Floyd (6-5). They must hope a receiver worth their while -- a guy with breakaway speed, such as LSU's Craig Davis -- slips to their spot in the second round.
3. Guard/tackle.. Depth is needed. The Chargers will look to find a bargain such as tackle Marcus McNeill, a second-round pick last year. They'll likely wait until at least the third round to take a lineman, but if a good guard -- perhaps Auburn's Ben Grubbs -- falls to them in the second round, they might adjust their strategy. Also, there is talk of moving right tackle Shane Olivea to right guard when Mike Goff's contract expires after the 2008 season, so a draft pick to challenge backup Cory Lekkerkerker for Olivea's spot would be a good pickup.
4. Defensive tackle. Jamal Williams, who will turn 31 in April, won't be around forever, and neither Brandon McKinney nor Ryon Bingham appears to be a difference-maker. The club will scour the draft looking for a successor to Williams. Considering it has one of the NFL's best defensive tackles, it's difficult to see the team using a first-day pick here, but it could pick up a project such as Miami's Kareem Brown early on Day 2.
5. Running back. The Chargers could lose Michael Turner as a free agent in the next year or so. With one of their two third-round picks, they might identify his replacement -- perhaps Nebraska's Brandon Jackson. Ideally they would get another hard-charging back to keep defenses off-balance and complement LaDainian Tomlinson. If they're lucky, they'll find a player like Turner, a fifth-rounder in 2004.
6. Cornerback. They have three starters for two spots, and Cletis Gordon could turn into a fine corner with time. But the Chargers will lose Drayton Florence as a free agent after next season and need a quick corner with good hands to replace him. If they find a promising project in the middle rounds, they'll take him.
7. Linebacker. The Chargers have their long-term starters on the inside (Matt Wilhelm and Stephen Cooper) locked up, but that means depth has faded. The club likely will attempt to stock up behind them and its two pass-rush aces, Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips, early on the second day.
OUTLOOK
The only place the club might need a player to step in immediately is at strong safety. But there also is concern about how deep the Chargers go at receiver -- which isn't very deep. The challenge for a team that had the league's best record in 2006 will be to find draft picks who can make the roster -- four selections didn't last year.
For long-term success, the team needs to cultivate depth on both lines. With four Day 1 selections to work with -- including two third-round picks -- general manager A.J. Smith could broker a trade to move up in the draft if he sees a safety or receiver he likes, though he can't trade the compensatory third-round pick the team received for losing free-agent quarterback Drew Brees.
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Chargers' draft outlook
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