2012 NFL Offseason Prospectus: San Diego Chargers

Fans in San Diego (they have those right?) may not recognize their team in the 2012.

Turnover has marked the offseason to this point and with a top 20 pick, even more new faces will likely be headed to this starting line up.

The days of Jamaal Williams and Shawne Merriman dominating opposing offenses are long gone.

LaDanian Tomlinson hasn't been in San Diego in two years and his presence has been sorely missed.

Adding Eddie Royal, Robert Meachem and Roscoe Parish makes this team significantly more explosive, but the team's best offensive playmaker, Vincent Jackson is heading to Tampa.

Between those three, this receiving core is much deeper and has a trio of guys who can all win 1-on-1 match ups. They'll simply get it down in a much different way. 

Defensively are where the biggest questions stand for the Chargers. Antwan Barnes is one of the most underrated pass rushers in the NFL, but outside of that, San Diego doesn't have dynamic players around him.

Last year's first round pick Corey Liuget hardly lived up to his name and the Chargers struggled to generate pressure last season.

The secondary is also average at best and could use some young talent.

In the AFC West, the margin for error is a little larger with Oakland rebuilding and the Chiefs in considerable flux. We don't know what Peyton Manning will give Denver, leaving the Chargers with an opportunity to win the division and get back into the playoffs.  

Norv Turner's job is probably on the line if they miss out.

  
Offense
No team re-tooled their offense like the Chargers this offseason. No single player is as good as Vincent Jackson, but the sum of the parts will make this team more consistent.

Adding Dante Rosario was an underrated move as was Le'Ron McClain. Bringing in another tight end could be an option given the age and fragile health of Antonio Gates.

The offensive line is a question, with Jared Gaither being re-signed but Marcus McNeil, a former #1 pick, being allowed to walk.

Along with getting better upfront, the Chargers do need more help in the backfield since Ryan Matthews hasn't shown anything special, nor has he been able to stay healthy. 

Special teams, which have been a joke in southern California, should get better with Parrish and Michael Spurlock who were signed this offseason.


Key Free Agents: Patrick Crayton WR, Jared Gaither (re-signed w/ Chargers), Jacob Hester FB, Vincent Jackson WR (signed w/ Buccaneers), Randy McMichael TE (re-signed w/ Chargers), Marcus McNeil OT, Mike Tolbert RB (signed w/ Panthers), Bryan Walters WR (signed w/ Vikings),

Defense
This is where San Diego must get better. The Chargers signed hard-hitting, but inconsistent safety Atari Bigby as well as run-stopping outside linebacker Jarrett Johnson from Baltimore. 

Neither is a big-time playmaker, but both could help this defense next season.

San Diego needs the help too, since they probably only have one blue-chip player on this defense in Eric Weddle, although Barnes is a unique and dynamic talent.

Linebacker, though, is a spot of considerable weakness for San Diego and getting a pass rusher as well as an inside 'backer should be a focus for the Chargers.

Adding some depth at corner is also a must given the depth of receivers in the AFC where the Chargers hope to compete.

Essentially, the Chargers need help everywhere and basically can't go wrong with whichever position they choose to target this offseason.


Key Free Agents: Everette Brown DE (signed w/ Lions),Luis Castillo DE (re-signed w/ Chargers), Stephen Cooper ILB, Na'il Diggs LB, Antonio Garay DT (re-signed w/ Chargers), Steve Gregory (signed w/ Patriots), Tommie Harris DT, Nate Triplett LB

Draft Targets

Needs: OLB,DB,OL,LB,DL,RB
Round 1 (Pick 18): Courtney Upshaw OLB Alabama (Pos. Rank: 3, Overall Rank: 17)

Heading into the Senior Bowl, I had Upshaw as the top outside linebacker prospect in this draft, but he showed impressive power at the point of attack, which caused me to re-categorize him as a defensive end. Most scouts have done the same, although Upshaw is a better fit in a 3-4 defense like San Diego. A violent and powerful rusher, Upshaw would be a perfect compliment to the relentless speed and quickness of Barnes. A safety like Mark Barron to pair with Weddle would be a solid move as well, but given the value and the need, Upshaw makes more sense.

Round 2 (Pick 49): Alfonzo Dennard CB Nebraska (Pos. Rank: 6, Overall Rank: 48)

Given Dennard's relative lack of speed and his affinity for physical play, some scouts believe Dennard is a safety in the NFL. San Diego could use him as a safety or a corner depending on the situation and because he'll likely be used in sub packages as a rookie, the Chargers will have a chance to decide where Dennard fits best long term.  If Lamar Miller falls to the Chargers here, he'd make a lot of sense as well,  but Dennard plays a position of greater need and his versatility enhances the value of this pick.

Round 3 (Pick 79): Mychal Kendricks ILB California (Pos. Rank: 4, Overall Rank: 79)

Kendricks is shooting up draft boards after torching the turf at the combine. The Chargers like linebackers, even on the inside, with quickness and Kendricks has that in spades. With limited playmakers inside, the Chargers could really use Kendricks, who is nimble enough to fill gaps in the running games as well as to be effective in coverage. Kendricks has reportedly not done well with pre-draft interviews and his instincts are a question, but his athletic ability is unquestioned and if the Chargers are willing to wait, he could be a steal at 79.

Overall

Even if Upshaw is the only pick, this draft would have been a success. Upshaw falling to them is an ideal situation for the Chargers. Everything else is gravy and while Dennard and Kendricks may not be Day 1 starters, both could be in the line up down the road. The numbers say this is a slightly above average draft (1+), but because the needs on this team are so specific, adding players with talent at those positions has to enhance the true value and impact of the draft on this team. Upshaw is the kind of player who could come in as a rookie and make a Pro Bowl team much like Brian Orakpo or Clay Matthews did a few years ago.

Final Thought

If the Chargers do get one of the elite pass rushers in this draft, the Chargers could be an extremely dangerous team. Normally seen as a favorite, San Diego may be riding under the radar with Peyton Manning heading to Denver and so much attention being paid to the returning playoff teams. Given the dynamic offensive talent the Chargers added, this offense will be even better and Phillip Rivers will almost certainly play better. With a set of pass rushers to get after opposing quarterbacks, this team could be a bounce back team and make a run in the playoffs. When this team gets rolling, they could be scary.