Draft Grades: Chargers

The Chargers had very few needs entering this year's draft, allowing them to simply target the best available players. That philosophy was made clear in the 1st round with the selection of Larry English, who will move to outside linebacker in their 3-4 system. Its a curious move, considering that Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips are the starting jobs locked down. It makes me wonder if they're comfortable with Merriman's healthy. This could be an insurance policy after seeing how their defense suffered without him last season.

I love the selection of Louis Vasquez. He had good value in the 3rd round and he's the type big, physical offensive lineman that the Chargers like. He could compete with Kynan Forney for a starting job.

They reached for Vaughn Martin, but he's a rare athlete that could play end or tackle in the 3-4. That type of versatility added to his value.

Gartrell Johnson is a perfect fit for the Chargers. He'll be the short-yardage back behind Tomlinson and Spriles.

Brandon Hughes had great value in the 5th round. I felt as though he could have come off the board as high as the 3rd round. He'll add some nice depth to the Chargers secondary. Kevin Ellison will do the same. He should be able to win the backup strong safety job behind Clinton Hart.

Demetrius Byrd is somewhat of a longshot to make the team. The Chargers are already very deep at receiver and Byrd's recent car accident makes it unlikely that he'll be healthy enough and ready to win a job this summer. He may stick around on the practice squad, but nothing more.

The Chargers did a decent job identifying the best available player with each pick and sticking to guys that fit their system. The one minor need they have, however, went unaddressed. They could have used an inside linebacker fairly early in the draft to compete with Matt Wilhem and Kevin Burnett for the starting job opposite Stephen Cooper. Aside from that oversight, it was a very solid draft.

Grade: B

Brian Cushing is a Meathead

"If you watched (USC LB Brian) Cushing at his pro day, he opened up the wrong way twice in drills. He did the same thing once at the Combine. He’s a meathead."

Those were the words from an unnamed front office source according to Pro Football Weekly. It's only one team's view, but it certainly isn't a good sign for Cushing. Whatever one team thinks, there's likely at least a few others that share the sentiment.

Cushing received in invite to New York City for the draft, and he's looking like the favorite to be the last man standing waiting to hear his name called. The earliest realistic landing place for him is New Orleans (14th overall) but the Saints reportedly have their eye on two Buckeyes (Malcolm Jenkins and Chris Wells). Houston is also an option, but they are showing signs of preferring Cushing's teammate Clay Matthews. San Diego has been a rumored destination, but it doesn't make too much sense considering they are more in need of an inside linebacker. If he slides past those three teams he could fall all the way to Patriots or Falcons (23rd and 24th, respectively).

Draft Visit Tracker: Andre Brown

One of the hottest prospects in recent weeks has been N.C. State's Andre Brown. Despite a disappointing career with the Wolfpack, he's impressed teams in his workouts and now looks like a 2nd-round lock.

He's a big back (6'0", 224) and has the ability to be a workhorse at the next level. Its rare to find a guy with his size and athleticism, which is why so many teams are showing an interest despite his very mediocre collegiate numbers.

At least 12 teams have reportedly met with Brown, so here's the list:

Ravens, Titans, 49ers, Cardinals, Chargers, Texans, Jaguars, Bengals, Panthers, Dolphins, Patriots and Chiefs.

I currently have Brown going to the Cleveland with the 50th pick in the draft. He would the ideal running back for the Browns to groom behind Jamal Lewis for the next year before he takes over the starting job.

Draft Visit Tracker: Rey Maualuga

Aside from Andre Smith, no one's draft stock is harder to judge than Rey Maualuga's. He has as much upside as anyone in the draft, but he is the perfect example of a boom-or-bust prospect.

Maualuga's potential future employers range from the Browns (5th overall pick) to the Falcons (24th overall). In addition to the Falcons and Browns, Maualuga has visited with the Redskins, Dolphins, Chargers, Rams, Titans, Saints, 49ers and Chiefs.

A few teams on that list are hard to imagine him with (Titans, Chiefs, Rams), but all the others are realistic possibilities.

In my latest mock draft I have him going to Washington with the 13 selection. The Redskins are in need of a pass rusher, but Brian Orakpo and Everette Brown are likely to be off the board already. Assuming Mark Sanchez isn't available, the 'Skins will turn their attention to the best available linebacker. Brian Cushing and Maualuga would appear to be the best options.

Bengals Want A Running Back

The Bengals are showing a clear interest in running backs this offseason, and could be targeting one with their second-round pick. The Bengals have either met with, or will be meeting with, Chris Wells, Donald Brown, Rashad Jennings and LeSean McCoy.

While the Bengals are clearly doing their homework, Donald Brown appears to be the favorite and the mostly likely be available and worthy of their 2nd-round selection. The Bengals have reportedly mentioned him as a player they have been impressed with and will strongly consider selecting him 38th overall selection.

Brown's stock is rising, however, as he has/will meet with the Chargers, Eagles and Jets as well. Its possible that he could come off the board in the late first round.