A Sensible San Diego Chargers 2009 NFL Draft

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Upgrades or Needs?

It is a question General Managers and scouting personnel face just a day before selection Saturday. Take the best available player on the board, or take a player that fills a need position wise?

Trade up to get premiere talent on a player just too good to pass on, or trade down to “steal” a player while gaining additional picks in the process? It is never an easy task, and for the San Diego Chargers and General Manager A.J. Smith, this year is no different.

Why San Diego needs an Upgrade at RB

In 2008, the San Diego Chargers rushing attack ranked 20th in NFL in terms of yards per game. The only significant change on offense so far is the replacement of Mike Goff with Kynan Forney.  

While last year we saw the main focus of the team shift from the ground to the passing game, it is essential for the Chargers to remain balanced.  A powerful running game will help seal off victories—and prevent comebacks—and there were at least a handful of games that the Chargers should've won in 2008 that were lost because the offense could not stay on the field.  That needs to change if the Bolts are going to have any hopes of beating the elite teams in the AFC in the playoffs.

Key Contributing Stat

Rush Avg Yds/G Record
SD Chargers (2006) 4.9 161.1 14-2
SD Chargers (2007) 4.2 127.4 11-5
SD Chargers (2008) 4.1 107.9 8-8

Why San Diego Does Not Need an Upgrade at RB

The reason for not upgrading the position is hope.  Hope that Darren Sproles' performance in the playoffs against the Colts is something he can do regularly if he's given more carries.

Hope that LaDainian Tomlinson returns to his Pro Bowl form with an improved, healthier line and less carries.  Hope that Jacob Hester can grow as an elite FB to become a Lorenzo Neal-type blocker.

And hope that Marcus McNeil returns to Pro Bowl form and becomes unmovable on the left side of the line again. Two premiere RB’s, Chris “Beanie” Wells and Knowshon Moreno, are projected to be available when the Bolts are on the Clock.

The argument for Chris “Beanie” Wells

Wells not only has terrific potential as an NFL running back, but the Chargers' current backfield situation would be an ideal fit. Although Tomlinson and Sproles are both talented, using their speed, quickness and hands to create opportunities in the open field, the one piece that's missing is a power back.

Chris Wells has the size, speed (4.59 40 at the combine), strength (25 bench press reps) and a great desire and patience to find the hole before exploding through it. Splitting carries between him and LT would go a long way towards making the run game more dynamic, balanced and capable of keeping the lead in the fourth quarter.

The argument against Wells

Chris Wells has been described as "college fast", meaning he can turn corners and break away long runs in college but NFL scouts suspect he'll struggle to do the same in the NFL.  In addition, rather than trying to outmaneuver, Wells has been known as trying to run over defenders which will not fare well in on Sunday. 

The argument for Knowshon Moreno

Moreno is the epitome of an every down back. If the RB situation truly diminishes in similar fashion as it did last year, the Bolts would be equipped with a three-headed monster including a durable, versatile Moreno.

The argument against Moreno

Some draft experts have the explosive UConn RB Donald Brown rated nearly as high and Brown isn’t expected to have his name called until the second round.  This could mean the Chargers trading down and attaining virtually the same back while also getting some extra picks to work with.

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