Ranking San Diego Chargers Predecessors and Drafted Successors

The San Diego Chargers have gotten rid of players this offseason, such as Brandon Manumaleuna and Demetrius Byrd. Chargers general manager A.J. Smith removed these players for reasons. They were either wanting too much money, demanding more time in games, or just being plain arrogant.

We all witnessed LaDainian Tomlinson walk into the locker room with his head down. That was his final game in blue and gold.

But a couple of months later, the Chargers moved up 16 spots in the 2010 NFL Draft to take Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews. There was an obvious reason to move up for him. They needed a new complete back. He was a workhorse in college, yet underrated. We will see what he can do but for now, let's rank former Chargers that left this offseason and their successors

LT for Ryan Mathews - Great Decision

This simply was music to my ears when I witnessed the next Chargers running back to be drafted by mastermind A.J. Smith. Tomlinson's statistics showed that he was slowly losing the moves and the the fluid-running. Ryan Mathews provides the complete package. He has the strength, agility, and speed to be successful in this league.

Brandon Manumaleuna for Dedrick Epps - Horrible Decision

I say this is a bad decision because Manumaleuna was basically a extra offensive lineman on offense, just like Zack Strief is for the Saints. Manumaleuna provided average catching ability combined with superior blocking ability. Epps is just another catching tight end.

Yes, that is useful, but we need a blocking tight end to help Ryan Mathews pound the rock. Why did we replace a great blocking tight end with a seventh-round catching end? Horrible decision.

Stephen Cooper for Donald Butler - Good Decision

Cooper has been with this club for seven years. He hasn't had a 100-plus solo tackle campaign during that span. Adding to the stat, he dropped eight catchable interceptions. I feel personally that Cooper needs to go. The Chargers moved up in the third round to nab Washington linebacker Donald Butler. Butler is more of a run-stopper. So is Cooper. But the thing makes Butler different from Cooper is that Butler doesn't drop easy interceptions.

The Chargers had a great offseason, which makes people wonder if they can make it to the Big One this year. Many say that they have the talent and potential to go, but somehow they lose. Can they finally make it this year?