San Diego Chargers 2014 NFL Draft: The Players, The Picks, The Fit
By Ben Natan
Aug 31, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Jason Verrett (2) defends against LSU Tigers wide receiver Odell Beckham (3) in the second quarter of the game at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
5’9″, 189 LBs.
The Player
Jason Verrett is a touch, physical corner who does a great job of using closing speed, ball skills and long arms to be a very good, all around corner. He plays man coverage very well but excels in zone coverage and is a very good run defending corner. People have concerns about his size, but he does more than enough to compensate for it. I worry a bit more about his strength and his injured shoulder, but if he can be healthy by camp and can add a bit of strength, Verrett is going to be a very good player.
The Pick
Verrett was a top ten talent on my board and filled the Chargers’ most glaring need on their team. What is not to like about this pick?
The Fit
Verrett steps onto the team as its most talented corner and could start outside on day one. It is yet to be seen if that is the case and a lot depends on his health, but at the very least he gets eased into a starting role in the slot and works his way to playing on the outside.
Jeremiah Attoachu, OLB, Georgia Tech
6’3″, 252 lbs.
The Player
Attoachu is a very athletic pass rusher who also has great versatility. He has speed off the edge but has great upper body strength as well. He is a very smart player defending the run and has experience dropping into coverage. He needs to improve his anchor a bit, but he has tremendous upside.
The Pick
Not sure how a player like Attoachu got to the second round. Supremely talented and a steal.
The Fit
Because of Attoachu’s versatility, there is no reason to believe he won’t start day one across from Melvin Ingram as an outside linebacker. San Diego needs a boost there and Attoachu can be that guy.
Nov 2, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive end Jeremiah Attaochu (45) on the field against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Tech won 21-10. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Watt, OG, Notre Dame
6’5″, 310 lbs.
The Player
Watt is not a very good athlete, but he is a smart player who uses his hands very well is relentless. Also a high effort run blocker. However, he does not have great foot speed and does not have a very strong base.
The Pick
This was a need for the Chargers, but I feel like the reached with talent on the board.
The Fit
With the current state of the Charger’s interior, Watt could have a chance of getting some starting time this season.
Ryan Carrethers, DT, AKState
6’1″, 337 lbs.
The Player
Carrethers is a very powerful player who dominates the line of scrimmage and creates disruption from all over the field. He is a freak athlete and should impact very quickly.
The Pick
Love, love, love this pick. Tremendous value for high upside.
The Fit
Carrethers can start tomorrow all along the defensive line but most likely starts at nose tackle where he is going to make a lot of centers very frustrated.
Marion Grice, RB, ASU
6′, 208 lbs.
The Player
Grice is a smooth runner with decent vision, but he really makes his money as a receiver where he has great hands and runs very good routes. He lacks power and is not a very good athlete, but as a receiver, he is definitely a weapon.
The Pick
I think this was a weird pick because of the current depth at running back and the quality of the player picked. Reach.
The Fit
Not sure how Grice sees the field early unless he is moved to receiver on a regular basis. Likely a special teams player in year one.
Oct 19, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running back Marion Grice (1) during the game against the Washington Huskies at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Tevin Reese,WR, Baylor
5’10”, 163 lbs.
The Player
Reese has speed for days and can jump over a house but that is about it. He has poor hands, isn’t physical, doesn’t run very good routes, is built like a high school student and has serious injury concerns.
The Pick
There is some tangible upside with Reese so I could see taking a late round flier on him, but I am very low on him.
The Fit
Chargers have a lot of talent catching the ball so it is likely Reese’s ceiling in year one is special teams.