These teams in the middle of the draft are very hard to figure out. The teams that pick before the middle part of the first round are generally so bad that any one great player will have a big impact. The teams in the later part of the first round are generally one player away from either bring great, or maintaining their greatness.
For 8-8 teams like the San Diego Chargers, who have a very talented roster, the front office must identify a few needs and then project to see if they will still be there when they pick. In this case the Chargers had the 16th pick in the first round.
While the Chargers already had a very talented roster they still had a few needs. They were looking for a DE, to replace Igor Olshansky, who could get to the QB on the rush and help stop the run. They also needed an ILB even though they had already signed Kevin Burnett, but had a lack of faith that he is their three down answer. They were also looking for an OT, but since this team had seven second day selection in this draft they were probably going to wait to address this position.
With the 16th pick the Chargers selected Larry English the DE/ILB hybrid from Northern Illinois. Many had English graded as a can’t miss prospect, who would bring immediate dividends to whichever team selected him. The Chargers are certainly hoping that is the case here.
He will likely play opposite Shane Merriman and provide the Chargers with an excellent pass rush, and with his ability to recognize plays he will help their run defense. With those facts in mind let us start Mr. English’s NFL career with an B+ grade.
In the third round, with the 78th overall pick, they selected Louis Vasquez the OG from Texas Tech. He is a gigantic guard that can dominate the running and game and without doubt a AJ Smith kind of player.
Since Vasquez was the second highest rated guard in this draft, this pick offers a great value fro the Chargers. Since he came to campo ready to challenge Kynan Forney for the starting RG job we have to give this an A grade.
Now a quick look at the draft day grades for the Chargers:
Round One- B+
Round Three- A
Talent- A
Need- B
Average- B+
And finally a more complete look at the 2009 draft of the San Diego Chargers:
Round One- 16th overall OLB Larry English Northern Illinois
Round Three- 78th overall OG Louis Vasquez Texas Tech
Round Four- 113th overall DT Vaughn Martin Western Ontario
Round Four- 133rd overall C Tyronne Green Auburn
Round Four- 134th overall Garrett Johnson RB Colorado State
Round Five- 148th overall CB Brandon Hughes Oregon State
Round Six- 189th overall S Kevin Ellison USC
Round Seven- 224th overall WR Demetrius Byrd LSU
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