The 2007 NFL Draft is almost here, and THN missed San Diego in the NFL teams’ off-season needs. So here are the team needs of the 30th overall pick in the draft, the Chargers.
2006 Results: 14-2 (1st in AFC West)
2007 Projected Cap Status: $96,800,000 $12.2 million under the Cap as of March 2nd
2006 Season Recap:
The San Diego Chargers sent nine players to the Pro Bowl and had five selected to the All-Pro team. More importantly, they had the 2006 league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson. Tomlinson shattered several league records with 31 touchdowns and 186 points; he also won the 2006 rushing title with 1,815 yards. Second year QB Philip Rivers started his first full season and finished with 92.0 QB rating and a 22/9 touchdown to interception ratio. The Chargers were arguably the best team in the AFC if not the league in 2006, but the teams’ quick exit from the post-season cost Marty Schottenheimer and his staff their jobs.
Team needs:
1. Wide Receiver
The Chargers decided to release aging WR Keenan McCardell which leaves Eric Parker, Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd, and Kassim Osgood on the roster. Vincent Jackson is the only one they can count on going into the draft, and with few needs, this position will be addressed at some point in the draft
2. Running Back
Even LaDainian Tomlinson needs a break every now and then, and the Chargers may be looking for a replacement for Michael Turner. Turner has garnered plenty of interest in his services leading up to the draft, so he may become part of a draft day trade, making the need more imminent.
3. Defensive Back
If there was a weakness for the Chargers in 2006, it would have been the secondary. Strong safety Terrence Kiel is very reliable against the run but didn’t have any interceptions in 2006. His backup is Bhawoh Jue but they need to find a safety that can play both the run and the pass.
2007 draft picks:
Rd. 1 (30th)
Rd. 2 (62nd)
Rd. 3 (93rd)
Rd. 3 (96)*
Rd. 4 (129th)
Rd. 5 (167th)
Rd. 5 (172nd)*
Rd. 7 (240th)
* – Compensatory Picks
Free Agency Status:
Players’ Re-signed:
DT Ryon Bingham (re-signed)
LB Marques Harris (re-signed)
LB Shaun Phillips (re-signed)
OT Cory Lekkerkerker (re-signed)
WR Greg Camarillo (re-signed)
OG Kris Dielman (re-signed)
WR Malcom Floyd (re-signed)
LB Carlos Polk: UFA (re-signed)
C Cory Withrow (re-signed)
DE Derreck Robinson (re-signed)
Unrestricted Free Agents:
LB Randall Godfrey
OT Leander Jordan
S Terrence Kiel
Restricted Free Agents:
RB Michael Turner (tendered at $2.35 million)
Players Lost:
LB Donnie Edwards (UFA Chiefs)
TE Ryan Krause: (Browns)
LB Steve Foley (released)
WR Keenan McCardell (released)
WR Az-Zahir Hakim (UFA Dolphins)
TE Aaron Shea (released)
Check out more at THN’s exclusive 2007 NFL Draft section.
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Bernie Marshall