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The sixth in a series on division needs leading up to the April 26-27 NFL Draft:
AFC: East | South | North | NFC: East | South | North
The AFC West is the San Diego Chargers and then the rest -- and the gap is widening.
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| USC's Sedrick Ellis could interest more than one division team. (Getty Images) |
That isn't to say they don't have questions. Quarterback Philip Rivers is coming off an ACL injury, so there are concerns there. But San Diego is clearly the best of this division, even with the questions.
The Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs are going the wrong way, while the Oakland Raiders, despite spending big in free agency, are still a couple of years -- or the growth of quarterback JaMarcus Russell -- away from pushing the Chargers.
It helps that the Chiefs, Raiders and Broncos all pick among the top 15 picks in the first round. The Raiders pick fourth, the Chiefs fifth and the Broncos 12th. Now let's see if they can hit on them.
San Diego Chargers
The skinny: This is a talented team that doesn't need a lot. They could use a backup runner to replace Michael Turner and maybe a right tackle, but there aren't a lot of holes for the Chargers. General manager A.J. Smith does a nice job adding pieces to a good team.
Primary need: (Tie) Right tackle and nickel corner. They say they like right tackle Jeremy Clary, but they might be wise to look at a replacement. Losing corner Drayton Florence in free agency could warrant an early pick of a corner.
Secondary needs: Inside linebacker, wide receiver and running back.
Possible targets: Arizona cornerback Antoine Cason, Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib, Tennessee State cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Pittsburgh tackle Jeff Otah.
Summary: They don't need somebody to come in immediately and play. They can let the player learn for a year and then put him in the lineup. This team has a lot of talent.