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Chargers Draft: Craig Davis, Eric Weddle Head Solid Class
Shag RuggMay 3, 2007
Shag Rugg breaks down the San Diego Chargers' draft selections this past weekend.Draft Selections
3rd: Anthony Waters, ILB, Clemson
4th: Scott Chandler, TE, Iowa
5th: Legedu Naanee, WR, Boise St.
7th: Brandon Siler, ILB, Florida
1st: Craig Davis, WR, LSU
2nd: Eric Weddle, S, Utah3rd: Anthony Waters, ILB, Clemson
4th: Scott Chandler, TE, Iowa
5th: Legedu Naanee, WR, Boise St.
7th: Brandon Siler, ILB, Florida
Additions
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Norv Turner, Head Coach
Ted Cottrell, Defensive Coordinator
Ron Rivera, Linebackers Coach
Kris Dielman, OG (re-signed)
Losses
Predraft Offensive Needs: WR, G
Not many players are willing to take less money to stay with a franchise, but Kris Dielman did. The re-signing of Dielman was huge, as it meant that the Chargers could look to their most important need in the draft—wide receiver.
The San Diego receiving corps is full of young talent, but the one missing ingredient is a speed receiver. Mike Goff, the other starting offensive guard, is aging—and a replacement might be sought out in the later rounds.
Predraft Defensive Needs: LB, S
Round One: Craig "Buster" Davis, WR, LSU
Round Two: Eric Weddle, S, Utah
The talk during day one of the draft regarding the Chargers' decision to trade up for Utah safety Eric Weddle at the beginning of the second round was that the Bolts had given up too much. San Diego moved up from 30th overall to fifth overall in the second round.
To do so, the Bolts gave four picks to the Bears—their 2007 third- and fifth-rounders, and their third-round pick in 2008. At first glance, this seems like a lot to give up for a guy who was pegged as a middle second-round pick at best...but upon closer inspection, the Chargers apparently didn't see a need to keep their third- and fifth-rounders this year, as they had compensatory selections in both of those rounds.
In actuality, the Bolts only gave up a third-round pick in '08 to move up and take their guy—and filled a huge defensive need in the process. Weddle is a decent cover safety with good speed and significant special teams experience.
Round Three: Anthony Waters, ILB, Clemson
In the third round, the Charges used a compensatory selection on linebacker Anthony Waters from Clemson, filling their last glaring need heading into the draft. Waters was injured for nearly all of his senior season at Clemson, which hurt his draft stock tremendously.
Waters led the Clemson Tigers in tackles during the 2005 season before getting hurt—and alongside teammate Gaines Adams (drafted fourth overall by the Bucs) was put on the 2006 preseason watch list for a number of defensive honors. Waters' fragile condition makes him a high risk/high reward player for the Bolts. If he can recover from the knee injury that kept him on the sidelines in 2006 and regain the speed that made him a top-tier college linebacker in 2005, he could be just what the Bolts need to keep their linebacking corps among the NFL's elite.
The talk during day one of the draft regarding the Chargers' decision to trade up for Utah safety Eric Weddle at the beginning of the second round was that the Bolts had given up too much. San Diego moved up from 30th overall to fifth overall in the second round.
To do so, the Bolts gave four picks to the Bears—their 2007 third- and fifth-rounders, and their third-round pick in 2008. At first glance, this seems like a lot to give up for a guy who was pegged as a middle second-round pick at best...but upon closer inspection, the Chargers apparently didn't see a need to keep their third- and fifth-rounders this year, as they had compensatory selections in both of those rounds.
In actuality, the Bolts only gave up a third-round pick in '08 to move up and take their guy—and filled a huge defensive need in the process. Weddle is a decent cover safety with good speed and significant special teams experience.
Round Three: Anthony Waters, ILB, Clemson
In the third round, the Charges used a compensatory selection on linebacker Anthony Waters from Clemson, filling their last glaring need heading into the draft. Waters was injured for nearly all of his senior season at Clemson, which hurt his draft stock tremendously.
Waters led the Clemson Tigers in tackles during the 2005 season before getting hurt—and alongside teammate Gaines Adams (drafted fourth overall by the Bucs) was put on the 2006 preseason watch list for a number of defensive honors. Waters' fragile condition makes him a high risk/high reward player for the Bolts. If he can recover from the knee injury that kept him on the sidelines in 2006 and regain the speed that made him a top-tier college linebacker in 2005, he could be just what the Bolts need to keep their linebacking corps among the NFL's elite.
Round Four: Scott Chandler, TE, Iowa
Round Five: Legedu Naanee, WR, Boise State
Round Seven: Brandon Siler, ILB, Florida
The fact that Siler was still on the board at the bottom of the seventh round is surprising. Siler, an underclassman, leaves a championship Florida team that played consistently solid defense. Considering the Chargers' loss of both Godfrey and Edwards, he makes for some nice insurance in case Tim Dobbins, Stephen Cooper, Matt Wilhelm, or Carlos Polk struggle in making the transition to full-time starter. A great late-round pickup.
The fact that Siler was still on the board at the bottom of the seventh round is surprising. Siler, an underclassman, leaves a championship Florida team that played consistently solid defense. Considering the Chargers' loss of both Godfrey and Edwards, he makes for some nice insurance in case Tim Dobbins, Stephen Cooper, Matt Wilhelm, or Carlos Polk struggle in making the transition to full-time starter. A great late-round pickup.
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