2009 NFL Draft: San Diego Chargers First Round

This entry is the next in a series that will be looking at what the consensus is amongst 15 mock drafts posted on main stream websites.  The drafts being utilized are ESPN’s Mel Kiper and Todd McShay, The National Football Post, DraftScout’s Rob Rang, Chad Reuter, Michael Lombardi, Clark Judge, and Pete Prisco, NFL.com’s Pat Kirwan, Steve Wyche, Charles Davis, Jamie Dukes, Pro Football Weekly, SI.com’s Don Banks, and Scout.com.  So with that being said let us look at what the consensus on the San Diego Chargers is.

USC linebacker Rey Maualuga has emerged as the front runner for the Chargers with six mock drafts citing him as the guy San Diego is looking at.  Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno is second with 3 mentions and LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson is next with 2 mentions.

Offensive tackle is getting some attention with Alabama’s Andre Smith and Mississippi’s Michael Oher each getting mentions along with Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins and Maryland wideout Darrius Heyward-Bey getting picks as well.

Bottom Line: The Chargers could use an offensive tackle and could consider one here but it is unlikely.  They have publicly shown an interest in Knowshon Moreno and have had him in for a private workout.  He is a strong possibility here if they believe LaDanian Tomlinson’s best days are behind him.  It remains to be seen whether Darren Sproles can be an every down back for 16 games.

The Chargers have a need for an inside linebacker who can start alongside Stephen Cooper.  Cooper is a nice player but they have not had a strong presence at inside linebacker since Junior Seau left and the success of the 3-4 is driven largely by having playmakers at linebacker.