SAN DIEGO (AP) -Nine years after taking LaDainian Tomlinson with the fifth pick overall in the NFL draft, the San Diego Chargers are once again in the market for a marquee running back.
Tomlinson was released on Feb. 22 after nine mostly brilliant seasons in which he became one of the best running backs in NFL history. Third-stringer Michael Bennett was released a few weeks later.
For a time, it seemed like Darren Sproles, the speedy little running back-returner, was going to hit the free agent market. But the Chargers placed the maximum first- and third-round tender on Sproles, who signed the one-year deal for more than $7 million.
“I would say it’s absolutely a key need, no question,” said general manager A.J. Smith, who prefers to build through the draft but didn’t rule out the possibility of trading for a running back. “We don’t have a one, we don’t have a third back, and we have a one-year tender with Sproles.
“It’s screaming at us, absolutely,” Smith said.
her it will be a running back, though, remains to be seen.
“We just feel there are some good running backs that we like probably, comfortably, through the fifth round,” Smith said. “Seeing as though we are in the market for a running back, we feel comfortable there are people we like, different styles, different types, different talent levels, spread out throughout those rounds. The question is, if you want to grab one, how do you do that?”
Smith wouldn’t reveal the backs the Chargers like, but Jahvid Best of California could be an option, or maybe Ryan Mathews of Fresno State, if he’s still available.
Another possibility with the first-round pick is a defensive tackle. Smith not only released the late John Butler’s best draft pick – Tomlinson – he also let go of Bobby Beathard’s last remaining draft pick, defensive tackle Jamal Williams. While Tomlinson signed with the New York Jets, Williams landed with division rival Denver.
So if the Chargers think they can get a running back sometime after the first round, they could use their first pick for a defensive tackle.
The Chargers also have the No. 40 overall pick after trading third-string QB Charlie Whitehurst to Seattle.
or us to go all the way up to a nice spot.”
The Chargers certainly have other needs as they try to rebound from another inexplicable face-plant in the playoffs. After winning their final 11 games to finish 13-3 and secure the AFC’s No. 2 seed, the Chargers lost 17-14 to the Jets in the divisional round.
They could add a linebacker, offensive lineman and a cornerback or safety – or both. Smith traded cornerback Antonio Cromartie, his first-round draft pick in 2006, to the Jets in early March. Cromartie had become a distraction with off-field issues and seemingly lost his will to tackle. He froze as New York’s Shonn Greene hit the hole en route to a 53-yard TD in the Jets’ playoff win.
The Chargers could get a third-string quarterback either in the draft or as a free agent.
Smith could use a draft day rebound because his last four first-round picks haven’t exactly put the Chargers over the top.
Cromartie is gone, wide receiver Craig Davis (2007) is often hurt, cornerback Antoine Cason (2008) lost his spot as the nickel back last season and the selection of outside linebacker Larry English last year raised some eyebrows because the Chargers already had Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips on the roster. Even though Merriman was coming off knee surgery that sidelined him for virtually all of 2008, the Chargers had needs elsewhere.
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