San Diego Chargers: 5 Things That Must Happen in the 2012 NFL Draft

The year long wait for the NFL draft is over. This is the one place where a team like the Colts can build their team into a playoff contender. Expect the unexpected in 2012.

The San Diego Chargers are coming into this year's draft under the radar. What I mean by this is that there is no hype like previous years. About three to four years ago, the Chargers were considered the most talented, maybe even the best, team in the league. Sad to say, they are nowhere close to that now.

Here's where the Chargers ranked in the NFL in 2011.

Offense

Points per Game - 6th
Yards per Game - 6th
Pass Yards per Game - 6th
Rush Yards per Game - 16th

Defense

Points Allowed per Game - 26th
Yards Allowed per Game - 16th
Pass Yards Allowed per Game - 13th
Rush Yards Allowed per Game - 20th

See the difference? It's a big one. Just showing those stats represents the biggest areas that need to be improved. Here are the top five things that AJ Smith and the Chargers must do in the 2012 NFL draft.

5. Address Defensive Needs

See this picture? This defense was fierce, mean, tough and feared. Junior Seau and Donnie Edwards were two of the greatest linebackers to ever play in San Diego. On the same defense, safety Rodney Harrison was scaring players all around the league.

The Chargers need to create another defense like that. They need to find their identity. When Seau left, San Diego had a gaping hole in the defense. Shawne Merriman was the guy who took over for Seau as the feared linebacker for the Chargers. We all know that didn't last long. The biggest guy that is still trying to be replaced in Rodney Harrison at the strong safety position. Eric Weddle, arguably the best safety in the league, is playing outstanding, but he needs a legit strong safety beside him.

Well San Diego, welcome to the 2012 NFL draft. Where all your dreams (could) come true.

Let's state the needs first. Remember, this is MY opinion. Others may vary.

1. Pass-rusher—OLB or DE
2. Strong safety
3. Cornerback

The San Diego Chargers must address every one of these needs. Takeo Spikes and Jarret Johnson are great inside linebackers. They may be on the downside of their career, but they are still very valuable players to the Chargers. Don't forget Donald Butler. He's a player with tremendous upside.

But it gets sketchy with the outside linebackers. Shaun Phillips, when healthy, is one of the best outside linebackers in the league. Antwan Barnes is getting there. He's sensational in rushing the passer, but his coverage game needs work. Then there's Travis LaBoy and Larry English. Both are average or below average players. Unless they each have breakout years this season, expect them to be gone very soon.

San Diego has eight picks in the draft, assuming no trades are made. Five or more of those picks must be defensive. A dictating defense is what creates championship teams, and the Chargers will begin their process through the draft.

4. Draft a Backup Running Back

It's been awhile since the Chargers have had an every-down back. LaDainian Tomlinson, could you please get young again? Ryan Mathews is the future. He has a tendency to get injured, but when he's healthy, he's a Top Five running back in the NFL. Mathews finished 10th in the league in rushing on only 15.9 attempts per game. He only scored six touchdowns as well because Mike Tolbert, who is now a Carolina Panther, was used on the goal line.

Speaking of Mike Tolbert, his departure is the biggest reason the Chargers are looking for a backup running back. It's obvious that A.J. Smith is going to draft a running back. Where he's going to do that is the real question. A backup could've easily been brought in via free agency but the Chargers had other plans.

When should this need be addressed? Fourth round or later. No earlier. There's no way the Chargers should spend a pick in rounds one through three on a running back. There are many players that San Diego can find later in the draft.

Who are the guys the Chargers should be looking at? Three names come to my mind that would be perfect additions to San Diego: Ronnie Hillman, Vick Ballard, and Chris Rainey.

Depending on where A.J. Smith wants to take his backup, one, if not all of these players should be available in rounds four through seven.

3. Don't Be Afraid to Take Risks

The Spanos family needs to recognize this. A.J. Smith's "risks" are not what I mean. He drafts players that were projected to go much later than they did. When he wants someone, he gets them, no matter what.

Another key thing: Smith will go nowhere near players with legal histories or character concerns. This is what needs to be changed. If a player falls to a later round that has amazing talent and huge upside, Smith shouldn't pass on him because of his history.

Here's an example. Janoris Jenkins, one of the top cornerbacks in this draft class, will probably fall to round three if no team makes a jump for him. If he's still available at pick 79, there's no way the Chargers should pass on him.

Vontaze Burfict is another guy who could fall as far as the seventh round just because of his attitude. This is the NFL. Players will get reality checks. And plus, if he's available in the sixth or seventh round, why not draft him? The risk is definitely worth the reward.

Bottom line, Smith needs to be smart and careful in the draft this year but at the same time take risks if the payoff is worth it.

2. Stay at 18; Take Best Available Pass-Rusher

Rumors are all over the place.

Will the Chargers trade back and take Harrison Smith?
Will the Chargers trade up for Mark Barron?
Will the Chargers draft an offensive lineman?

There are many different scenarios that could happen. Anything can happen. That's what makes the draft so great. Well for San Diego, the best thing to do is stay put and take the best available pass-rusher.

Then comes another question: Who do they take?

If you've been reading my articles lately, you know that I'm high on Nick Perry. Many people believe he can't convert from 4-3 DE to 3-4 LB. But his athleticism and talent are too good to pass on, in my opinion.

This is my "top five" for the Chargers at 18.

1. Melvin Ingram
2. Nick Perry
3. Courtney Upshaw
4. Whitney Mercilus
5. Chandler Jones

Melvin Ingram will more than likely be gone at 18, but the others could still be available. That's the main reason the Chargers should stay put and take their favorite guy on the list.

1. Find a Way to Get Harrison Smith

About a month ago, San Diego was considering taking Harrison Smith in the second round at number 49. Now, the day of the draft, Smith looks to be an early second-round prospect. He could even go in the late first to Green Bay, who just released their safety, Nick Collins.

I find this news very upsetting. Smith is a great player who is fast, can tackle and is athletic enough to keep up with powerful receivers/tight ends. He's displayed interest in playing with Chargers' safety Eric Weddle. Smith understands the player Weddle is and knows that he can learn a lot in a short time playing alongside Weddle. He knows that his chance of becoming the best he can be would be playing in San Diego, rather than Green Bay or New England.

If Harrison Smith can somehow escape the first round, the Chargers must trade up for him.

Thanks for reading and make sure to check out my other articles.

Follow me on twitter for Chargers updates, as well as NFL, NBA and the Miami Heat.

@alexramirez127