2014 NFL Draft: San Diego Chargers Draft Recap & Analysis
By Joel Burdeos
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego, CA- The 2014 NFL draft has concluded and in my opinion the Chargers did a solid job of addressing their needs in this years draft and have improved the defense heading into next season. The Chargers also added some intriguing offensive pieces for Philip Rivers and I also like how aggressive the Chargers were in signing undrafted free agents. I believe some of the guys they signed could have big impacts on the team this upcoming season. Here’s the opinions and grades from around the league on the Chargers draft. The Chargers received an overall B grade from ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.
"“They didn’t have many picks, but I think the Chargers came out pretty well. I really like Jason Verrett, a competitive cover man who won’t shy away from contact. San Diego gets the added bonus of grabbing a CB that would have been the ideal fit for division rival Denver a handful of picks later. I had OLB down as a need, and the fact that Jeremiah Attaochu was there had to be a pleasant surprise. Chris Watt is a good interior blocker and could be used soon, and Ryan Carrethers gives them the depth they needed up the middle on defense. Marion Grice has really good hands out of the backfield and Tevin Reese, while undersized, is an absolute burner who could find a role given the lack of a similar player. The Chargers didn’t have a special draft in terms of value, but they added pretty solid pieces and crossed needs off the list. Because they had only six picks they lose a little value, but they worked the board well.”"
"“Tom Telesco aced the test last year, with an outstanding draft class, and I feel as though he did another good job this year. TCU corner Jason Verrett has a chance to start and was a good pick at No. 25 overall, but I’m going with Attaochu here. I love his motor and versatility, and I think that the Nigerian is really starting to put it all together. Most importantly, he can convert speed to power — a skill that is essential to being a successful pass-rusher in the NFL.”"
Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated gave the Chargers an overall B grade.
"“Loved the start, which featured CB Jason Verrett at No. 25 and OLB Jeremiah Attaochu at No. 50. The rest of San Diego’s work was a little humdrum, albeit need-based humdrum that landed G Chris Watt and 337-pound NT Ryan Carrethers. Seventh-round WR Tevin Reese should have a chance to speed his way to playing time, if he proves a viable deep threat during camp and into the preseason. I wish I could say RB Marion Grice will have the same chance. Unless he wins a kick-return job, though, the talented back will be stuck behind Ryan Mathews, Danny Woodhead and Donald Brown in the backfield. If that happens, the Grice selection will not have made much sense.”"
Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com gave the Chargers an overall A-minus grade.
"“Like Denver, San Diego did a very nice job of filling some holes with a limited number of picks. What Jason Verrett lacks in size, he makes up for with quickness, instincts and tenacity. One of the long-time NFL scouts I trust most graded Verrett as the top senior prospect in the country, regardless of position. I love the schematic fits and value that the Chargers found with outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu in the second round, guard Chris Watt in the third and nose guard Ryan Carrethers in the fifth. Former ASU running back Marion Grice offers a very specific skill-set as one of the elite pass-catchers at the position as does big play wideout Tevin Reese – whose speed is better described with his propensity for long touchdowns rather than just his 40-yard dash time.”"
Comment below Chargers fans and let me know what you thought of the Chargers draft.