NFL Draft Reflection: Five Months Later, Grading A.J. Smith

(Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images)

The NFL season is in full swing, and several rookies around the league are already starting to distinguish themselves from the pack in their inaugural campaigns.

A.J. Smith is known as a shrewd talent evaluator when it comes to the NFL Draft, but his recent hauls have not done much to support that belief. With the 2009 NFL Draft five months in the past (and rookies having already gotten three games under their belts), now is a good time for a preliminary examination of the Chargers' 2009 draft picks and whether Smith could have done any better based on the players available at the time.

Keep in mind that these rookies are only three games into their young careers, so it is far too early to label any single player a bust or a star. This is only an exercise in hindsight based on what we know so far.

First Round (16th Overall)

Actual Pick: Larry English, OLB (Northern Illinois)

Better Options: Michael Oher, OT (Ole Miss) or Rey Maualuga, ILB (USC)

Analysis: Shawne Merriman's recent legal and health troubles give some validity to Smith's pick of a pass-rushing outside linebacker in English, but he has been nearly invisible in the first three games of the season, only registering four tackles and not even getting close to any opposing quarterbacks.

At the same time, Oher (selected 23rd overall by the Baltimore Ravens) has positioned himself as an early Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate with his outstanding play anchoring the Ravens offensive line. He would have been a great option for a Chargers team that was weak along the right side of the offensive line even before the starting lineup was struck by the injury bug.

Many people thought Maualuga (38th, Cincinnati Bengals) would be the pick for the Chargers entering the draft, yet he inexplicably fell to the second round, possibly due to some character issues (who can forget his little dance behind ESPN's Erin Andrews during preseason warm-ups last year?). The Bengals must have been absolutely elated to see him fall all the way to them in the second round, especially after getting the equally talented Andre Smith with their top pick. He has been an enforcer in the middle of their linebacking crew, having already forced two fumbles while playing alongside his college teammate Keith Rivers to create a formidable young wrecking crew at linebacker.

Verdict: At this point in time, Oher or Maualuga would have been a much better choice in the first round than English.

Third Round (78th Overall)

Actual Pick: Louis Vasquez, OG (Texas Tech)

Analysis: So far, it looks like Smith hit this one right on the head. Everyone at Charger Park seems to be raving about this guy, and they believed in him enough to cut presumptive starter Kynan Forney to pave the way for him to enter the starting lineup. He has been struggling to stay healthy lately, but he has not shown anything yet to second-guess this pick compared to the rest of the board.

Verdict: So far, so good.

Fourth Round (113th Overall)

Actual Pick: Vaughn Martin, DE Western Ontario

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