San Diego Chargers - AFC West

San Diego Chargers - AFC West, 2008 Draft Selections & Prospects

San Diego Chargers

The Draft Was ... Whatever. Antoine Cason was one of the underrated corner prospects, but he was still taken way too high. Jacob Hester is a fullback, and although San Diego can use a thunderback, he was taken ahead of Jamaal Charles and Steve Slaton.
Best Value Pick: DeJuan Tribble, CB Boston College. 6th round. Considered too short to be a higher choice, he's a player who can be a solid contributor in the rotation. He'll be a great No. 3 or No. 4 corner.
Biggest Reach: Marcus Thomas, RB UTEP. 5th round. Does he do anything all that well? He's not fast like Michael Turner was, and he while he has size, he's not the type of back who can carry the load if something happens to L.T.
They Should've ... Grabbed one of the high-end receivers. They were all there on the board, and while WR wasn't a need, how much better would the passing game have looked with Devin Thomas, James Hardy or Malcolm Kelly to complement Chris Chambers and Antonio Gates?

#	Pick
27	27	1st Round    Antoine Cason, CB/FS Arizona Arguably the best defensive back in the Pac 10 for the last four years, Cason was a consistently great playmaker doing a little of everything well from making 253 career tackles to picking off 15 throws to breaking up 37 passes, including 19 in his senior year alone.  Not a blazer, but with good size, he could end up moving to free safety. He'll find a spot somewhere and will be a longtime starter, but he's not going to be a superstar. CFN Projection: Third Round    CFN Position Rank: 4

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3rd Round (from New England)   Jacob Hester, FB LSU   A great runner, a good scorer, and a nice receiver, he's a do-it-all fullback who'll be a nice piece to the puzzle. If nothing else he'll be a fan favorite and a star on special teams. CFN Projection: Fourth Round   CFN Position Rank: 1

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5th Round Marcus Thomas, RB UTEP A tremendous prospect who was the really, really big recruit who was supposed to turn around UTEP, he produced well but never carried the team. He's a big-sized runner with decent hands for the passing game, but he's not a special back by any stretch and isn't going to be more than a decent emergency backup. CFN Projection: Free Agent      CFN Position Rank: 27

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6th Round  DeJuan Tribble, CB Boston College Too small at just 5-8 and 196 pounds, and too slow with a 4.69 40, he doesn't have the measurables to make much of an impact. However, he's a good ball-hawker, was a good starter for the last three years at a high level, and plays quicker than he is.  He should make for a good backup and a key nickel defender, but he'll be picked on if he has to start. CFN Projection: Fifth Round  CFN Position Rank: 23

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7th Round  Corey Clark, OT/OG Texas A&M A big body at 6-6 and 310 pounds, he can push people around and is decent for the running game. He's not an athlete and can't pass protect at an NFL level, and he doesn't play nearly as physical on a consistent basis as he probably should. He'll be better if he moves inside to guard. CFN Projection: Free Agent   CFN Position Rank: 28