(View A.J. Smith Draft Blueprints here)

Over the past five years, we have known the San Diego Chargers to be an annual playoff contender. But they have most definitely not been that way for long.

In 2004, the Chargers had an ownership change, which led to the promotion of one of the scouting department executives to the prestigious GM position.  A.J. Smith was handed that position and immediately began to place his stamp on the organization in the pivotal ’04 Draft, where he managed to trade the number one overall pick (Eli Manning) to get Philip Rivers and several other draft picks for the future.

Since that time, MR. Smith has acquired high-caliber players such as Shawne Merriman, Antonio Cromartie, Marcus McNeil, Michael Turner, Shaun Phillips, and Eric Weddle.

For a former scout, it comes as no surprise to discover that Smith has built this team around the draft. Last I heard, somewhere around 20 of the team’s starters have come via the draft.
With that squad, San Diego has made a couple of runs deep into the playoffs. But they haven’t reached the championship yet. Who knows when they will go all the way?

Previous Pick: Houston Texans

16. San Diego Chargers

-Vontae Davis (CB/Illinois)

Vontae Davis (NFL.com)

Chargers VP of operations loves drafting cornerbacks in the first round. In fact, he has selected 3 of them in or around the 20th pick since 2003. No other position has he drafted more than once in the first round. Furthermore, he prefers tall corners (all cornerbacks selected in 1st round are 6’0 or taller). Vontae Davis is extremely talented, and is just shy of 6’0 tall. He would also provide additional help for the NFL’s 2nd worst pass defense.

- Andre Smith (OT/Alabama)

Andre Smith (NFL.com)

Word around the water cooler is that the Chargers aren’t particularly happy with the performance of RT Jeromey Clary. If this is true (he did allow 6.5 sacks), then I think they will consider adding Andre Smith to their line. Sports Illustrated published an article prior to the season outlining the best units in the NFL. They chose the Chargers offensive line as the best in the league. But they certainly didn’t look the part in 2008. So I could reasonably see them opting for Smith if he is still available.

San Diego has the luxury of choosing the best player available because they really don’t have too many glaring weaknesses outside of offensive guard, which can be addressed in round 2 or later.

Many believe Rey Maualuga is a definite possibility here, but I don’t see that happening for two reasons.

First, he should be gone by now.

Second, A.J. Smith has not selected an inside linebacker before the 3rd round…ever.  That’s not to say he won’t choose an ILB, but it isn’t plausible.

Next on the clock: New York Jets

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