What If The San Diego Chargers Drafted A Different Team

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

In the 2003 NFL Draft, the Chargers selected Sammy Davis (CB) with the 30th overall pick. Davis' production had declined during his three-year career with San Diego. The Chargers should have drafted Nnamdi Asomugha (CB), Ken Hamlin (S) or Rashean Mathis (CB).

The San Diego Chargers had two draft picks in round 2. Their first selection was Drayton Florence (CB) and was just an average player. A better option here would have been Osi Umenyiora (DE) or Anquan Boldin (WR). With their other 2nd round pick, San Diego grabbed Terrence Kiel (S). Kiel had a few off-the-field problems and was released by the team in 2007. The Chargers should have selected Lance Briggs (LB) or Jason Witten (TE).

In the 3rd round, San Diego drafted Courtney VanBuren (OT) and only played in nine games during his three-year stay with the team. Terrence McGee (CB) was still available. The Chargers took Matt Wilhelm (LB) in the 4th round. Wilhelm was mainly a role player, so a better pick here would have been Robert Mathis (DE), Dan Koppen (C) or Asante Samuel (CB).

In round 5, San Diego selected Mike Scifres (P) and is a Pro Bowler, so this is a good pick. The Chargers picked Hanik Milligan (S) in the 6th round. Milligan was named a Pro Bowler in 2005 as a special teams player, but he was not a big enough play maker to be a starter so San Diego could have invested this draft choice more wisely for a player like Cato June (LB).

Andrew Pinnock (FB) was taken in round 7 by San Diego and was usually just a bench player. A better selection here would have been Tony Romo (QB). Romo actually went undrafted in 2003 and any team could have signed him. The Chargers actually signed two key undrafted free agents: Antonio Gates (TE) and Kris Dielman (OG).


Summary Of Players The San Diego Chargers Should Have Acquired In 2003

Nnamdi Asomugha
Osi Umenyiora
Lance Briggs
Terrence McGee
Dan Koppen
Cato June
Tony Romo

San Diego selected Eli Manning (QB) with the 1st overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. Eli was later traded to the New York Giants (the Chargers received quarterback Philip Rivers and three other draft picks from the Giants). Rivers has been an inconsistent quarterback so far. He can be brilliant for a few games and be horrible in some others. Eli has already won a Super Bowl; Rivers has not. San Diego did get two other Pro Bowl players from this trade so this was a good trade for the Chargers.

Igor Olshansky (DT) was picked in round 2 and is a solid player, but has yet to be a Pro Bowl talent. Darnell Dockett (DT), Jared Allen (DE), Nathan Vasher (CB) and Bob Sanders (SS) were still on the draft board.

In the 3rd round, the Chargers had two consecutive draft choices, Nate Kaeding (PK) and Nick Hardwick (C). Both are Pro Bowl players and Kaeding was part of the Eli Manning deal (draft pick from the Giants). Both selections were excellent picks for San Diego.

Shaun Phillips (LB) was drafted in round 4 and has been the quiet play maker next to Shawne Merriman. Phillips was a worthy draft selection.

In the 5th round, San Diego picked Dave Ball (DE) and only played for the team for two years. A better pick here would have been Patrick Crayton (WR). The Chargers made another excellent pick with Michael Turner (RB) also in round 5. If it were not for LaDainian Tomlinson, Turner could have been a starter. Turner had played well when Tomlinson did not play. Turner is now enjoying success as the starting running back for the Atlanta Falcons.

The San Diego Chargers drafted extremely well in 2004.


Summary Of Players The San Diego Chargers Should Have Acquired In 2004

Darnell Dockett
Patrick Crayton

1. LaDainian Tomlinson
2. Philip Rivers
3. Antonio Gates
4. Vincent Jackson
5. Nate Kaeding

In the 2005 NFL Draft, the Chargers had two 1st round selections. Shawne Merriman (LB) was taken with the 12th overall pick (the New York Giants traded this draft pick to San Diego for the Eli Manning trade). Merriman is one of the biggest defensive forces in football and this is a terrific draft pick. The Chargers picked Luis Castillo (DT) with their other 1st rounder. Castillo has been a solid player for San Diego, but bigger impact players like Lofa Tatupu (LB), Justin Tuck (DE), Trent Cole (DE), Marion Barber III (RB) and Logan Mankins (OG) were still available.

Vincent Jackson (WR) was drafted by the Chargers in round 2. Jackson has started to emerge on the team as a play threat. The problem for him is that he plays on a team that has players like LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates that get the football a lot. If Philip Rivers can be more consistent, Vincent Jackson could develop into an elite receiver.

In round 4, San Diego selected Darren Sproles (RB). Sproles is a perfect compliment to Tomlinson. Sproles is a speedy player that is extremely dangerous in the open field. This is another good draft pick by the Chargers.

San Diego actually wasted a draft pick on Wesley Britt (OT) since he never played a game for the Chargers. San Diego should have selected Josh Cribbs (KR). Cribbs went undrafted in 2005 as did Ryan Grant (RB). The Chargers could have signed either of these guys to contracts.

San Diego, again, had another terrific draft adding several key players to their roster.


Summary Of Players The San Diego Chargers Should Have Acquired In 2005

Lofa Tatupu
Josh Cribbs
Ryan Grant

The Chargers drafted Antonio Cromartie (CB) with the 19th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Cromartie was a good pick by San Diego since he is a play maker and was named a Pro Bowler in 2007.

The San Diego Chargers drafted Marcus McNeill (OT) in the 2nd round and is a two-time Pro Bowl player. You can't argue with this draft selection. Charlie Whitehurst (QB) was taken in round 3. Whitehurst is a backup to Philip Rivers, but he is the #3 quarterback for San Diego, so a better investment of this draft pick would have been Brandon Marshall (WR).

The Chargers selected Tim Dobbins (LB) in the 5th round and is mainly a bench player. San Diego could have drafted Omar Gaither (LB). Jeromey Clary (OT) was grabbed by the Chargers in round 6. Clary is now a starter for the offensive line so this was a good value selection. With another 6th round draft choice, San Diego took Kurt Smith (K) and was a bad draft pick since he played in zero games for the team. A better draft choice here would have been Antoine Bethea (FS).

The Chargers picked Chase Page (DT) with their last pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Page never played in a game for the Chargers, so they would have been better off selecting Marques Colston (WR).


Summary Of Players The San Diego Chargers Should Have Acquired In 2006

Brandon Marshall
Omar Gaither
Antoine Bethea
Marques Colston

The Chargers are suppose to be the elite team in the AFC West with all of the talent they have accumulated over the years. But this team has been disappointing. While San Diego made several good draft picks between 2003 and 2006, there were still some bad draft selections.

The Chargers "dream team" below is based on franchise needs and draft pick locations. What if the Chargers had Tony Romo, Lance Briggs and Nnamdi Asomugha on their team?

Tony Romo (QB)
Philip Rivers (QB)

Michael Turner (RB)
Darren Sproles (RB)
Ryan Grant (RB)

Brandon Marshall (WR)
Marques Colston (WR)
Vincent Jackson (WR)
Patrick Crayton (WR)

Antonio Gates (TE)

Nick Hardwick (C)
Marcus McNeill (OT)
Jeromey Clary (OT)
Logan Mankins (OG)
Kris Dielman (OG)

Osi Umenyiora (DE)
Robert Mathis (DE)

Shawne Merriman (LB)
Shaun Phillips (LB)
Lance Briggs (LB)
Cato June (LB)
Omar Gaither (LB)

Nnamdi Asomugha (CB)
Antonio Cromartie (CB)
Terrence McGee (CB)
Bob Sanders (SS)
Antoine Bethea (FS)

Mike Scifres (P)
Nate Kaeding (PK)
Josh Cribbs (KR)