2014 Official Draft Thread

[Steve]

I don't know if Moncrief will be there or not. But that is why we resigned Marshall, to prevent our being forced to draft a CB and let a WR we want go. If a CB is the guy we want, or is too good to pass up, we can do it. But we don't want to have to pass on the next Allen, because we have a need that must be filled. It has happened too many times to count, but John Madden always said his biggest draft regret was not drafting Dan Fouts and drafted a LB I cannot remember (and never did anything), because Davis said that they had too big a need at LB.

You avoid having vet players when you are trying to upgrade, then you put yourself in position where you MUST do something, and since we can't control everything, that is something to really avoid.

[Beerman]

Agreed Steve, I just hope we don't have to rely on Marshall again.

[Mister Hoarse]

I didnt even look at the other picks Moncrief would have to be the pick in the 3rd. But he wont be there. Hes a 2nd rounder who wouldnt shock me to see in the back of the 1st. Id rather have him over guys like Benjamin and Beckham.

Agree with this. I would love Moncrief in the 2nd, but I dont think he will be there either.

[Steve]

The thing I like about our FA period is not necessarily the new FA. We signed our guys, which is a big deal, since KC and Den lost of lot of starters and key depth (or likely won't be back in Den case). But the big thing in their losses is that they now have to address many of them with top draft picks or gamble with lower picks. We don't have to, because we got most of our FA back or upgraded with cheaper FA.

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

CHARGERS BLOG Defenders'Pro Days keep Chargers busy

By Tom Krasovic 06:00a.m. Mar 20, 2014

Film doesn't lie about a football player. But college coaches sometimes do.

Coaches have been known to fib when briefing NFL teams about potential draftees who played for them. The Chargers believed that Washington State's Mike Price, for example, withheld harsh information about Ryan Leaf 16 years ago in predraft chats. Leaf had taken Wazzou to its first Rose Bowl in 67 years, giving Price reason to feel indebted to him.

Bobby Beathard learned from other WSU folks Leaf could be a brat. But, believing the strong-armed quarterback would lead the Chargers to the Super Bowl, the GM invested the No. 2 pick and millions of dollars in him. Soon after the draft, the Chargers discovered Leaf wasn't who they thought he was. Erratic on and off the field, he became the biggest bust in franchise history.

Leaf remains the Chargers' last Wazzou draftee.

Many college coaches make millions of dollars and retain their jobs on the strength of draft-eligible players. How much intel should NFL teams expect from a college coach? Enough not to be in the dark.

At UCLA, the Chargers may be able to do better.

Head coach Jim Mora tried to hire linebackers coach John Pagano as UCLA's defensive coordinator two years ago. Two years later, Pagano is the Chargers defensive coordinator and several of Mora's players are NFL prospects. Edge rusher Anthony Barr and Xavier Su'a-Fio, a versatile offensive lineman, figure to go in the first round. Other potential Bruins draftees are outside linebacker Jordan Zumwalt, defensive end Cassius Marsh and outside linebacker Shaquelle Evans.

Mora, a former Chargers defensive backs coach, told the Daily Bruin that Chargers personnel paid a recent visit and watched film with Barr, a 6-foot-5, 255-pounder who amassed 23.5 sacks over his junior and senior seasons.

Edge rushers seem to be on the Chargers' radar. Pagano attended the Pro Day of Boise State defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, a 6-3, 251-pounder who as a junior last year led the Mountain West Conference with 10.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss. A Chargers scout witnessed the Pro Day of BYU outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, a 6-3, 240-pounder.

Elsewhere, Chargers offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris was spotted at the Pro Day of versatile Nevada lineman Joe Bitonio; and a Chargers scout was at Youngstown State's Pro Day, presumably to see an offensive tackle and a center who project as late-round draftees or undrafted free agents.

[bonehead]

I've been seeing a lot of the same players in mock drafts in our cluster around #25. Surprised that some of these guys are still there. Just shows what a deep draft it is.

1. Dee Ford has been hovering around mid 20's. Competing with Ealy for 2nd best DE after Clowney. He was awesome in the Senior Bowl. Has the speed to get after option QB's.

2. Louis Nix has been my preferred pick for awhile now. Would be an immediate upgrade over Thomas.

3. Stephen Tuitt has been rising, in front of Nix in some mocks which cite better range and ability vs. double teams. Has the versatility to play 3 spots in the 3-4.

4. Marquise Lee - I'm not thrilled with a WR in the 1st, but he'd improve the offense.

5. Kony Ealy - Didn't see any Missouri games this year but it's impressive he had 9 sacks when teams are game planning for him.

6. Kelvin Benjamin - Not a burner but his size/speed combination is still pretty impressive.

I've always wanted Nix, but I'd be thrilled with Ford.

I'm sure I'm in the minority but I would take Ealy out of that group

[Beerman]

I don't think there's a chance in hell Ealy can play at OLB. I really don't want pass rush specialists with our 1st round pick.

We simply have to improve our team speed on the edges. There's a reason running QB's always give us fits. It also forces us to use Weddle on TE's (granted that's the right decision, but it would be nice for their to be options, particularly in the red zone).

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

Somehow i do not think Nix is in our cluster...

[Beerman]

Somehow i do not think Nix is in our cluster...

You mean TT's cluster?

We just don't know how he values NT's vs. other positions. He wasn't willing to go higher than 4 million per with Mitchell who went to the Fins. There hasn't really been much of an effort (at least publicly) to acquire a NT in FA.

There are also probably 4-5 guys that can play at NT (and the position is routinely passed over in the draft till the 2nd-3rd rounds - See Brandon Williams last year dropping to the Ravens in the 3rd).

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

Yes.

[Beerman]

http://espn.go.com/blog/denver-broncos/post/_/id/5670/when-it-is-the-time-to-ask-the-best-to-do-less

I know this article is all about Manning, but I think it hits home with us as well and why I like what TT has been doing. Our offense last year IMO is good enough to win a Super Bowl (now that we added a legit backup RB, actual blocking TE). We have a solid line as currently constructed. We have an excellent TE group. Our WR group is the only weak link, but even then it's still better than other teams.

The key will be to bolster the D via the draft. If you combine our ball control offense with a rock solid D that's keeping teams out of the end zone, we won't lose. Really hoping we have the option to go D heavy this draft. It just makes sense to keep building on the young defense we have to bring it all together.

[bonehead]

I don't think there's a chance in hell Ealy can play at OLB. I really don't want pass rush specialists with our 1st round pick.

We simply have to improve our team speed on the edges. There's a reason running QB's always give us fits. It also forces us to use Weddle on TE's (granted that's the right decision, but it would be nice for their to be options, particularly in the red zone).

Ealy is raw but incredibly athletic.....great burst...he plays like someone who weighs 245 pounds not 275.

I liken him to Aldon Smith and Robert Quinn but not sure he has that kind of potential