5 Biggest San Diego Chargers Draft Needs After First Week of NFL Free Agency

5 Biggest San Diego Chargers Draft Needs After First Week of NFL Free Agency

By Anthony Blake

March 16, 2015

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5 Biggest Chargers Draft Needs After First Week of Free Agency

San Diego Chargers Draft Needs 2015 NFL Draft — By adding versatile offensive lineman Orlando Franklin early in free agency, the San Diego Chargers addressed one of their biggest needs in the trenches. This will free up the Bolts as far as the 2015 NFL Draft is concerned to allocate their resources into other areas of need. Here’s how those five biggest problem areas stack up in terms of importance after the first week of NFL free agency.

By adding versatile offensive lineman Orlando Franklin early in free agency, the San Diego Chargers addressed one of their biggest needs in the trenches. This will free up the Bolts as far as the 2015 NFL Draft is concerned to allocate their resources into other areas of need. Here’s how those five biggest problem areas stack up in terms of importance after the first week of NFL free agency.

5. Cornerback

San Diego Chargers Draft Needs 2015 NFL Draft

5. Cornerback

San Diego Chargers Draft Needs 2015 NFL Draft — Another key move happened just before the negotiating window opened, as the Chargers and cornerback Brandon Flowers agreed on a four-year deal to keep the veteran in lightning bolts. With last year’s first-round pick Jason Verrett fully recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder, the depth chart looks better than it has in quite some time. Still, it wouldn’t be prudent to spend a late-round pick on some insurance with upside.

Another key move happened just before the negotiating window opened, as the Chargers and cornerback Brandon Flowers agreed on a four-year deal to keep the veteran in lightning bolts. With last year’s first-round pick Jason Verrett fully recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder, the depth chart looks better than it has in quite some time. Still, it wouldn’t be prudent to spend a late-round pick on some insurance with upside.

4. Outside Linebacker

San Diego Chargers Draft Needs 2015 NFL Draft

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4. Outside Linebacker

San Diego Chargers Draft Needs 2015 NFL Draft — It’s hard not to rank this higher up the list with Dwight Freeney now gone, but Melvin Ingram should be ready to emerge as an elite pass rusher in 2015 with last year’s second-round pick Jeremiah Attaochu also poised to excel. The lack of sack production in San Diego has been alarming over the past few seasons, but Tourek Williams also adds sufficient depth that this need can wait until Day 3 of the draft.

It’s hard not to rank this higher up the list with Dwight Freeney now gone, but Melvin Ingram should be ready to emerge as an elite pass rusher in 2015 with last year’s second-round pick Jeremiah Attaochu also poised to excel. The lack of sack production in San Diego has been alarming over the past few seasons, but Tourek Williams also adds sufficient depth that this need can wait until Day 3 of the draft.

3. Running Back

San Diego Chargers Draft Needs 2015 NFL Draft

3. Running Back

San Diego Chargers Draft Needs 2015 NFL Draft — The only reason why running back isn’t on top of this list with Ryan Mathews gone (good riddance), Danny Woodhead a big uncertainty and Donald Brown on the depth chart is due to the progression in the NFL to a passing league. It would be ideal for the Bolts to find a back capable of contributing right away as a rookie, and there is plenty of depth in this year’s class. David Johnson of Northern Iowa could be a potential steal in Round 3.

The only reason why running back isn’t on top of this list with Ryan Mathews gone (good riddance), Danny Woodhead a big uncertainty and Donald Brown on the depth chart is due to the progression in the NFL to a passing league. It would be ideal for the Bolts to find a back capable of contributing right away as a rookie, and there is plenty of depth in this year’s class. David Johnson of Northern Iowa could be a potential steal in Round 3.

2. Nose Tackle

San Diego Chargers Draft Needs 2015 NFL Draft

2. Nose Tackle

San Diego Chargers Draft Needs 2015 NFL Draft — It seemed unlikely that the glaring need at nose tackle would be addressed via free agency from the start. Now it’s just a gamble as to whether or not Danny Shelton falls to the Chargers at No. 17. Normally I’m not in favor of trading up in Round 1 and instead letting the draft fall as it may due to the steep price required in order to do so, but this year is an exception. If Shelton gets to pick No. 10 or 11, the Bolts should be on the phone.

It seemed unlikely that the glaring need at nose tackle would be addressed via free agency from the start. Now it’s just a gamble as to whether or not Danny Shelton falls to the Chargers at No. 17. Normally I’m not in favor of trading up in Round 1 and instead letting the draft fall as it may due to the steep price required in order to do so, but this year is an exception. If Shelton gets to pick No. 10 or 11, the Bolts should be on the phone.

1. Wide Receiver

San Diego Chargers Draft Needs 2015 NFL Draft

1. Wide Receiver

San Diego Chargers Draft Needs 2015 NFL Draft — With Eddie Royal choosing the Chicago Bears over San Diego and Andre Johnson going to Indy instead of the Bolts, Keenan Allen and Malcom Floyd are in dire need of some complementary pieces. If the right value presents itself and the board doesn’t fall the way they’d like, it wouldn’t be a stretch to see the Chargers take a wideout in Round 1. Maybe a boom-or-bust prospect like Dorial Green-Beckham fits if they’re comfortable with his character.

With Eddie Royal choosing the Chicago Bears over San Diego and Andre Johnson going to Indy instead of the Bolts, Keenan Allen and Malcom Floyd are in dire need of some complementary pieces. If the right value presents itself and the board doesn’t fall the way they’d like, it wouldn’t be a stretch to see the Chargers take a wideout in Round 1. Maybe a boom-or-bust prospect like Dorial Green-Beckham fits if they’re comfortable with his character.

Anthony Blake is a Senior Writer/Copy Editor for Rant Sports. You Can Follow Him on Twitter, on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

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