FBG Board Consensus 2010 Mock NFL Draft (1 Viewer)

[Faust]

1.01 St. Louis Rams select QB Sam Bradford (83% of the vote)

1.02 Detroit Lions select DT Ndamukong Suh (59% of the vote)

1.03 Tampa Bay Buccaneers select DT Gerald McCoy (85% of the vote)

1.04 Washington Redskins select OT Russell Okung (73% of the vote)

1.05 Kansas City Chiefs select S Eric Berry (41% of the vote)

1.06 Seattle Seahawks select OT Trent Williams (41% of the vote)

1.07 Cleveland Browns select QB Jimmy Clausen (28% of the vote)

1.08 Oakland Raiders select OT Bryan Bulaga (23% of the vote)

1.09 Buffalo Bills select OT Anthony Davis (61% of the vote)

1.10 Jacksonville Jaguars select ILB Rolando McClain (30% of the vote)

1.11 Denver Broncos select DT Dan Williams (38% of the vote)

1.12 Miami Dolphins select WR Dez Bryant (47% of the vote)

1.13 San Francisco 49ers select CB Joe Haden (52% of the vote)

1.14 Seattle Seahawks select RB C.J. Spiller (45% of the vote)

1.15 New York Giants select OLB Sean Weatherspoon (37% of the vote)

1.16 Tennessee Titans select DE Derrick Morgan (46% of the vote)

1.17 San Francisco 49ers select CB/S Earl Thomas (26% of the vote)

1.18 Pittsburgh Steelers select G-OT Mike Iupati (40% of the vote)

1.19 Atlanta Falcons select DE-OLB Jason Pierre-Paul (42% of the vote)

1.20 Houston Texans select RB Ryan Matthews (49% of the vote)

1.21 Cincinnati Bengals select S Taylor Mays (38% of the vote)

1.22 New England Patriots select DE-OLB Sergio Kindle (29% of the vote)

1.23 Green Bay Packers select CB Kyle Wilson (33% of the vote)

1.24 Philadelphia Eagles select DE-OLB Brandon Graham (33% of the vote)

1.25 Baltimore Ravens select DT Jared Odrick (31% of the vote)

1.26 Arizona Cardinals select OT Bruce Campbell (20% of the vote)

1.27 Dallas Cowboys select C Maurkice Pouncey (23% of the vote)

San Diego Chargers

Positions of Need as per NFL.com

RB, OL, CB, S, TE

Needs Analysis: The Chargers have been very quiet when it comes to acquiring players, while talent has been allowed to leave. Gone are RB LaDainian Tomlinson, CB Antonio Cromartie, TE Brandon Manumaleuna and backup QB Charlie Whitehurst. The draft is where this team builds the roster. There will be a solid running back to consider early in the draft, possibly Ryan Mathews. Replacing a corner, tight end and securing a right tackle will also be priorities.

 

[Honda]

Cody.

Or Toby Gerhart.

 

[Faust]

http://national-football-league-nfl.suite1...gers-2010-draft

San Diego Chargers 2010 Draft

Finding Running Back Is High Priority for SD

by Jon Matsune

LaDainian Tomlinson, the future hall-of-famer who struggled in 2009, has since been released; and San Diego is on the hunt for a replacement.

The Chargers still have Darren Sproles, on whom they placed their franchise tag in February. But the 5-foot-6, 180-pound Sproles can hardly be expected to carry the main rushing load, as Tomlinson did for so many seasons. So running back is an obvious need for San Diego, which owns the 28th pick in the April 22-24 draft in New York.

The draft is brimming with talent, although the running back is not one of the deepest positions. San Diego is likely to have its pick of the litter, with the exception of C.J. Spiller. The Clemson product, widely rated as the draft's top running back, is projected by most analysts to be taken with one of the top 20 picks.

But Spiller might not be a good fit for San Diego anyway, as he'd fill a role similar to that of Sproles — a part-time back who doubles as a kicker returner. A bigger, more bruising runner is a much greater need for San Diego.

The Bolts could end up with Fresno State's Ryan Mathews, who led the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing yards per game last season. Other options would include using the pick on a nose guard, a cornerback or an offensive lineman.

How Good Is Ryan Mathews?

If the Chargers snag the 5-11, 220-pound Mathews, they'd have at their disposal the draft's best combination of power and speed.

A strong showing at the NFL scouting combines raised Mathews' stock, and he ranks No. 2 at running back on number of draft boards. Mathews is muscular enough to shed tackles, has good moves and excellent vision, and possesses breakaway ability. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds.

Concerns about Mathews generally involve his durability. His freshman and sophomore seasons were marred by injury, and he was sidelined by a concussion late in his junior season of 2009.

Mathews' pass-catching ability is also questioned — he had just 19 receptions in three years at Fresno — and so is the competition he faced in college. He played in the defensively challenged Western Athletic Conference, although he did run well against schools like Cincinnati and Wisconsin.

In any case, what if another team grabs Mathews before the Chargers' pick comes up?

How About Javhid Best?

A popular opinion among draft analysts is that Mathews will be on the board when the Chargers go on the clock, and that the Bolts will take him. But analysts, as we all know, are often wrong. Would the Chargers still use their first-rounder on a running back?

A name that could very well be on the board is that of Jahvid Best. The 5-10, 200-pounder from Cal lacks the power of Mathews, but he's faster and shiftier. His 4.35 40-yard dash was the fastest at the combines, and he proved in college that he's a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. In addition, Best is a skilled receiver.

But can Best run between the tackles in the NFL? And can he take a pounding ? He suffered a scrary neck injury that shortened his 2009 season.

Another who could be available is Jonatthan Dwyer, a hard-nosed runner from Georgia Tech.

Will Chargers Seek Defensive Help?

Of course, San Diego general manager A.J. Smith could take a whole different route in his quest for a running back. He might acquire a veteran — or he might decide to rolL the dice and snag one in the later rounds.

If so, the Chargers would have to consider using their first-rounder on a nose tackle, and if Tennessee's Dan Williams is around, he'd be a fine fit. But Williams is most likely a mid-first round selection. The other nose tackle prospects probably aren't first-round material.

Cornerback is another area that needs shoring up, especially since the Chargers dealt Antonio Cromartie to the New Jets earlier this month. San Diego likely won't have a shot at leading cornerback prospects Joe Haden of Florida and Earl Thomas of Texas. Boise State's Kyle Wilson could be there for the taking, but if not, San Diego's best off going in another direction.

Will San Diego Bolster Offensive Line?

That direction could be shoring up the offensive line. The Chargers could use a tackle, and there are plenty of good ones. Five of them — Oklahoma State's Russell Okung, Oklahoma's Trent Williams, Maryland's Bruce Campbell, Rutgers' Anthony Davis and Iowa's Bryan Bulaga — are projected first-rounders.

Okung will likely be gone with one of the first five picks, but with the other four, it's a crapshoot. Chances are that only one — if any — of the top five tackles will be available to the Chargers. If so, it could be bargain for San Diego.

Other possibilties include Southern Cal's Charles Brown and Idaho's Mike Iupati, a highly touted guard who has the ability to play tackle at the next level.

Can Chargers Find Good Running Back in Later Rounds?

The Chargers swapped second-round picks with Seattle while dealing away reserve QB Charlie Whitehurst, so San Diego will pick 40th instead of 60th. Best and Dwer could still be there, and Tennessee's Montario Hardesty and Stanford's Toby Gerhart almost definitely will be.

San Diego might also plan to reel in a runner in the third or fourth round — possibly Auburn's Ben Tate or Oregon's LeGarrette Blount. If so, the Chargers could be tempted to select a wide receiver. Arrelious Benn of Illinois and Golden Tate of Notre Dame might still be available at No. 40. USC's Damian Williams is another possibility.

 

[Faust]

http://www.swrnn.com/southwest-riverside/2...ers-draft-board

Hacksaw: Rumors, prospects on Chargers draft board

Opinion: Hacksaw looks at some of the top Chargers candidates for Thursday's NFL draft and shares what he's heard in the rumor mill.

Last minute thoughts on the Chargers before the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night

Through the smokescreens, lies, misstatements and the coaching staff meetings, there are a number of certainties the fans and the Chargers need to consider heading into this week’s NFL draft.

The roster is no longer as strong as the one that went 13-3 last season. It needs toughness, a running game and playmakers on defense.

They got ripped against tough opponents like the Ravens and Jets last year, with the exception being the Dallas Cowboys game at the end of the season.

They have a chance to hit the jackpot with the right picks at 28 and 40 in the first two rounds of the draft. They can fill critical needs, but they must get players to come in an contribute now. As they’ve worked through their draft board meetings, minds have certainly been changed about how to fill those needs.

Running Back

Replacing LaDainian Tomlinson might not be as easy as thought. Players they had their eyes on have shot up draft boards while others have started to tumble.

C.J. Spiller of Clemson will come off the board first. The Bolts hope Fresno State’s Ryan Mathews will be there, but his stock has risen, too. The top of the second tier of backs all have glitches.

Jahvid Best, the dynamic Cal Golden Bear is explosive, but is nicked up. Five injuries in two years, including the concussion and neck issue, have driven him down. Jonathan Dwyer of Georgia Tech runs tough inside, but tested positive for a stimulant (he was later cleared), and is not a blocker nor receiver coming out of the option attack. Ben Tate of Aubun was not a consistent producer. Tennessee’s Montario Hardesty has a history of knee problems. Oregon’s LeGarrette Blount ran a slow 40 time (4.6 seconds) and has character issues stemming from the infamous Boise State sucker punch incident. Toby Gerhart of Stanford is rising in many eyes.

Defensive Line

The huge debate at Chargers Park is whether to reach in the first round for Terrence Cody, the massive nose tackle from Alabama. Maturity issues, weight that has blown up to 379 pounds and lack of any type of an explosive first step collectively means he might be a long way off. Teams picking earlier will likely take Tennessee’s Dan Williams and Penn State’s Jared Odrick out of the Chargers reach. That brings into focus Brian Price of UCLA, who could be converted to a big defensive end opposite Louis Castillo. Wide bodies like Cam Thomas of North Carolina, Tyson Alualu of Cal and East Carolina’s Linval Joseph may be alternatives, but not in the early rounds.

Cornerback

The uncertainty issues at running back and nose tackle have created a different mindset within that Chargers war room. Rumblings are now that sledgehammer corner and special teams star Devin McCourty of Rutgers has positioned himself to be a possible Bolt pick, in that he is more ready-made to play than Antonio Cromartie was and Antoine Cason is. McCourty appears to be what the other two are not — tough, strong in press coverage and excellent on kick coverage units.

Linebacker

As unlikely as it might seem, might another guy at that position wind up being the Chargers top pick? The latest rumor has the coaching staff enamored with Missouri’s Sean Weatherspoon. He is a lightning-quick sideline-to-sideline linebacker, who can play inside and stuff the run in a 3-4 package. It would make some of the veteran linebackers available as trade bait.

Hacksaw Hears

Cody is too big a reach at 28 and won’t be there at 40. Best is brilliant but brittle, and might be a clone of Darren Sproles. The safe pick would be McCourty, Weatherspoon or Price with the first pick. Because of injury issues or talent limitations, San Diego looks at Gerhart. Keep in mind the team depth the Chargers have built at linebacker and defensive back to use as trade bait. If aggressive, general manager A.J. Smith could deal to get another late second-round pick in addition to what he has at 28 & 40. Names they like are Rodger Saffold, an offensive tackle from Indiana and UMass tackle Vlad Ducasse.

What they should do

If they’re available, the Chargers should take DE Price first, Gerhart second, deal a linebacker and a pick and get another second rounder to choose an offensive lineman like Saffold. They could use a later pick for a developing nose tackle like Alualu or add another running back like Antoine Dixon of Mississippi State. What they thought about players a month ago has surely changed. Their chronic needs have not changed. What they pull off Thursday and Friday could not only fix their woes, but drastically change their personality for the future.

They need toughess and talent in lots of places. Price, Gerhart and Saffold fill their needs and shortcomings.

 

[Faust]

from the bleacher report

San Diego Chargers' Three Draft Needs Set, but in What Order Do They Fall?

by Paul Preibisius

With LaDainian Tomlinson and Jamal Williams hitting the open waters of free agency and Antonio Cromartie given a transcontinental change of address, the three big needs for San Diego are obvious: starting running back, nose tackle, and cornerback.

What is less obvious is how the team goes about addressing those three positions. Given AJ Smith’s track record and the corpse-quiet of the free agent rumor mill in Southern California, it is highly unlikely that we will see the team do anything at those positions before the draft.

The hard decisions will be able to wait until April 22 to be answered, but when that day rolls around the team will have to figure out in a hurry who to draft where.

The conventional logic would have San Diego picking the best player of the three positions available in the first round. Addressing the position by virtue of who is the best available seems simple and logical, the smart way to go.

Unfortunately it fails to account for two overriding factors that can muddy the decision. The first would be the depth of the field while the second would be what the team already has on roster.

With regards to who the team already has in place, running back would win hands down. Darren Sproles with his $7 million tender is the only running back on the roster and it best served with four to eight touches per game.

At cornerback, Antoine Cason is a young first-round pick with two years of experience and a few flashes in early 2009. He may not have supplanted Antonio Cromartie last year, but has the best chance of anyone at the three positions of being a 2010 starter.

Nose tackle has the depth that cornerback and running back lack. Ryon Bingham, Vaughn Martin, Ogemdi Nwagbuo, and Antonio Garay are all on the team’s roster at the tackle position. Likely only two of the names will still be around when the season begins, but for now they have a host of names to choose from.

None supercede backup quality however. Only one of the four (Vaughn Martin) cracks 310 pounds at a position ideally played around 330 to 340 pounds. Bingham and Garay will be 29 and 30 respectively when the 2010 season begins, and unlikely to show much in the way of growth at this stage of their careers.

Nwagbuo, like Garay, was signed out of an urgent need to put warm bodies on the field with both Jamal Williams and Ryon Bingham out for the year before Week Two even rolled around. He was an undrafted free agent that performed well considering the situation before injury made him the next nose-tackle to finish the year in street clothes.

The final piece to the quartet is 320-pound Vaughn Martin. He was drafted in the fourth round as a tremendous athlete whose inexperience would make him something of a project player. He is the most likely of the four to actually start in 2010, but is a few years of development away from showing what he really will be.

With the roster depth analyzed, draft depth must come next.

Running back was the biggest need by virtue of having nothing at the starting position. It also is the deepest of the three positions in the draft.

Clemson speedster C.J. Spiller will likely be off the boards when San Diego picks, but that leaves two more first round talents who will likely be available in Jahvid Best and Ryan Matthews.

Of the two, Matthews is the best suited to San Diego’s needs. He is 20 pounds heavier than Best, and more suited to fighting through in short-yardage situations, where San Diego’s run troubles were most apparent. His size and hands are actually quite similar to the player he would be replacing at starting running back.

Among the second to third round talent lies the true riches of the position. With a subpar combine dropping him into the second round, Jonathan Dwyer joins seven or eight other names who rest at this position.

This makes it much easier for San Diego to let the team’s primary need of this offseason slip unaddressed after one round. Even waiting until the third round the team should be able to land a solid-sizable back like LeGarrette Blount or Ben Tate.

As a team that will be pass-first as long as Norv Turner and Philip Rivers are under contract, letting a player like Matthews go in favor of either Jonathan Dwyer, Montario Hardesty, or Toby Gerhart in the second round or Tate, Blount, or Anthony Dixon in the third seems to make sense.

Cornerback is a more difficult position to predict. Joe Haden is the only surefire first round pick, although Kyle Wilson is probably going to find himself taken before San Diego can have a look as well.

After those two there are no surefire first-round talents. Devin McCourty is a possibility, but late climbers can be something of a gamble. A safer proposition would be looking for one of the many second or third round draft picks who could drop to the Chargers by nature of the position’s depth.

Brandon Ghee would probably be drafted in the mid-40s in an average year, but players like Kareem Jackson and Chris Cook could keep him available down at 60. He would be a nice addition as a good blend of decent size (6’0’’, 190) and great speed (4.37).

Down at the third round could be one of the greater bargain names at the position. Donovan Warren watched his stock drop considerably thanks primarily to a poor 40 time at the combine (4.57). He was an upper second round talent before names started shuffling around, and might just be available in the third round.

If he is unavailable the team could still choose Amari Spievey or Javier Arenas as good third round prospects that can compete with Cason for the starting role.

At the opposite end the spectrum lies the nose tackle position. It probably has the least quality depth of any major position in the draft, which makes it something of a concern for the team.

Dan Williams is the top nose tackle prospect out of the draft, and would easily be the best choice for San Diego to take if he is available. Unfortunately, he will probably find himself drafted eight to 10 spots ahead of San Diego.

Terrence Cody is much more likely to be available, but his 16 pound weight loss may have just put San Diego in a pickle. The shed poundage means he has virtually no chance of dropping to the team with their second round pick, but his 370-pound senior bowl appearance has to give doubts about drafting him in the first round.

The final serious contender is Cam Thomas. He is not at all on the first-round radar, but may just be available for the 60th pick. He may not be as good a prospect as Cody, but is probably a better second round value than Cody is a first.

After those three, the dropoff comes hard and fast. Linvall Joseph or Torrell Troup should be available in Round Three, and would be the only other players at the position who one could envision fighting for a starting role.

Neither would be the sizable clog in the middle that the first round talents are, but would be similar to Martin as athletic nose prospects who can move very well.

Ultimately, that dearth of good prospects makes the nose tackle position the Round One choice San Diego should make. After that, it becomes questionable with running back edging out corner. As it stands, the final guess at the top three positions would be:

1. Terrence Cody

2. Jonathon Dwyer

3. Donovan Warren

Should all of them be unavailable when the team’s picks roll around, the alternative draft then becomes:

1. Ryan Matthews

2. Cam Thomas

3. Amari Spievey

 

[Faust]

Bump...interest in the FBG consensus draft is falling off a cliff as we close in on the real draft and as we move this far into the first round!

 

[Faust]

With the 1.28 pick in the 2010 FBG Consensus Draft, the San Diego Chargers select RB Jahvid Best

 

[Polar Dude]

I really don't think the Chargers are going to put as much of a priority on HB as everyone seems to think.

 

[Faust]

I really don't think the Chargers are going to put as much of a priority on HB as everyone seems to think.

I think you could be on the money with this one...if Matthews doesn't fall to them with this pick, then Gerhart, Hardesty, Dwyer, Dixon, or Blount can be had in later rounds.

 

[Polar Dude]

I clearly have my finger on the pulse of that franchise.