Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the San Diego Chargers.
2012 NFL Draft analysis: San Diego Chargers
Norv Turner and the San Diego Chargers have a well deserved reputation as the biggest underachievers in the NFL. But last season, the Chargers just flat out were not very good. Phillip Rivers appeared to play injured, and the rest of the team did little to pick up the slack as the Chargers stumbled to an 8-8 record and no playoff birth.
The coaching staff survived the offseason, and a decent amount of talent was acquired in the draft, making San Diego a bit of a sleeper in the AFC West. San Diego's front seven was a huge weakness last season, and A.J. Smith addressed it early in the 2012 NFL Draft, selecting Melvin Ingram in round one and Kendall Reyes in round two.
Smith and company continued to address needs late in the draft with two interior offensive linemen and a running back in the final three rounds.
Questionable Pick: Guard Johnnie Troutman, Penn State, Round 5, pick 149
Johnnie Troutman didn’t have an impressive career at Penn State. Despite that, the Chargers made the former Nittany Lion guard a fifth round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. This pick addressed a big need for San Diego, but I’m not sure what type of impact Troutman will ever have on the team.
Late-Round Steal: TE Ladarius Green, round 4, pick 110
Antonio Gates has been slowed by injuries at times during his illustrious career and he will turn 32 years old in June. His best years are likely behind him at this point. Thus, the selection of Ladarius Green, an athletic, vertical threat at the tight end position, was one of the best picks the Chargers made. He will get a chance to ease into action and develop his raw skill sets behind one of the best pass catching tight ends in NFL history.
2013 mock draft pick: Josh D - Tyrann Mathieu, DB, LSU | Matthew Fairburn - Barrett Jones, Guard, Alabama
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