Official Chargers Blog

As I addressed on the site Thursday, the Chargers don’t have a second, third or fourth round pick in April’s draft (although that could change with the likelihood that the Bolts will receive a compensatory pick for losing Donnie Edwards last year in free agency).

However, a quick look at the Bolts’ recent draft history shows that A.J. Smith and company should still be able to help the team with late round picks.

Last year, the Bolts used their fifth round pick on Legedu Naanee and their seventh on Brandon Siler. Naanee was a contributor as a rookie and could have a bigger role in the offense next season. Siler led the Bolts in special teams tackles and saw more time with the defense later in the season.

Tim Dobbins was a fifth-round selection in 2006 and has been a solid special teams player. A round later that year, the Bolts grabbed Jeromey Clary, who this season became the team’s starting right tackle.

In 2005, the Chargers used a seventh-round pick on guard Scott Mruczkowski. “Mooch” has given the Bolts strong depth on the interior line as he can play three positions.

The Bolts have gotten significant results from the late rounds of the 2004 draft. Running back Michael Turner (fifth round) was the best backup running back in the NFL for three seasons and will get a chance to start for another team next year as he’s an unrestricted free agent.

The Bolts used their seventh-round picks in 2004 on defensive end/tackle Ryon Bingham and offensive tackle Shane Olivea. Bingham has been a big part of the rotation up front, and Olivea started his first three seasons.

Going all the way back to 2003, the Bolts found the NFL’s best punter in the fifth round when they drafted Mike Scifres. Two rounds later, they took fullback Andrew Pinnock.

As you can see, A.J., Buddy Nix and the Bolts' scouting staff can find players on Day 2 that develop into key pieces of the Chargers’ puzzle. I can’t wait till April to see who’s next.