Coming off an 8-8 season will lead any team to believe it has to improve in a number of areas. Before the free agency period has begun, it’s clear the top priority for San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith is to shore up the offensive line. Still, there’s no question that the defensive side of the ball is in need of more than a few changes, as well, so Smith and his staff will undoubtedly focus on the defensive prospects during the Scouting Combine over the next week.
There is a wealth of information being provided by several Web sites right now, but one article that caught my attention was written by Doug Farrar of Yahoo! Sports Shutdown Corner, in which he lists 10 players to watch during the Combine week’s drills. Of the 10 players mentioned in the article, there are six I believe Smith should pay close attention to.
3. DT Alameda Ta'amu, Washington -- Ta'amu is known as a gentle giant to those who play with and interview the Huskies standout defender, but that lack of nastiness has shown up on the field at times. Historically, Ta'amu has been an inconsistent player despite armloads of talent, but when he puts it all together (as he did during Senior Bowl week, when he looked like Vince Wilfork Jr. at his best), he's got the potential to be a great run-stopping and penetrating tackle at the NFL level. He'll have to answer questions about his weight fluctuation, inconsistent dominance, and his role in a Washington defense that completely imploded in the Holiday Bowl.
4. DT Akiem Hicks, Regina -- Hicks chose LSU in 2009 after two years in junior college, but sat out over recruiting issues and chose to transfer to a Canadian college instead. His size will intrigue NFL scouts and personnel people, but his raw playing style leaves him with the dreaded "developmental" label. Unless ... he can show off in combine drills and show that the surprising athleticism for a 6-foot-5, 325-pound player is backed up by maturity in team interviews.
5. DE Whitney Mercilus, Illinois -- Mercilus led the nation in sacks and forced fumbles in 2011, but his one-year status as an elite edge rusher may raise some questions about just how much of what he did in that can transfer to the next level. It's an optimal opportunity for him to show that he's not only ready to be that player again, but that he's expanded on his skill set -- right now, he's a very good burst edge rusher, but that doesn't always transfer to a more complete game, and teams will want to know about his strength against the run, and his tendency to get blocked out in power situations.
6. DE/OLB Jonathan Massaquoi, Troy -- As we wrote in his Shutdown 50 scouting report, Massaquoi has many of the tools required of a pass-rushing outside linebacker, which is most likely where he'll kick out to after his collegiate career as an end. He's got freakish speed off the snap, good basic agility in coverage, and an impressive sense to stop the run in space. The questions that remain -- gap integrity, cure strength and more advanced technique -- can be answered to a degree in combine drills, but the best part of this week for Massaquoi is that he'll be able to compete against the best prospects, and teams will get a "like against like" read on him. Based on his athleticism, that may be enough to get a few teams buying in.
7. ILB/OLB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State -- With Burfict, the problems go beyond the penalties for which he is so very well-known -- many who have watched enough tape on the linebacker believe that he's more of a "highlight reel hitter" -- a player who will go for the kill shot at the expense of the wrap-up tackle. Former Sun Devils head coach Dennis Erickson once asked Ray Lewis to talk to Burfict about keeping the edge under control, but the results haven't shown up just yet. More than the on-field drills, Burfict will have to shine in one-on-one interviews with teams, especially when he's asked about his playing style and how his issues will improve.
Crick could be a defensive end in the Chargers’ defense, and there’s a possibility he’ll drop to the third round or later. That would be great value and provide nice depth to the position.
Hicks and Ta’amu sound as though they will play nose tackle in the NFL. San Diego could use a young nose tackle to develop, as there’s a strong possibility veteran Antonio Garay will not be retained, leaving Cam Thomas as the only one left for the spot.
Mercilus is a prospect who scares me a bit, what with his lack of consistent dominance throughout his college career. The last thing San Diego needs is to waste another first-round pick on a pass-rusher who won’t pan out in the NFL.
Massaquoi is a pass-rusher I’ve brought up in the past, and he seems to be gaining more attention as the draft season picks up. I’d love to see him in a Chargers uniform.
The same is true for Burfict, whom I feel would work very well in tandem with Donald Butler for many years to come. And very much like the Baltimore Ravens, who have Ray Lewis, San Diego possesses the luxury of a wise veteran, Takeo Spikes, who could serve as Burfict’s mentor and ease the transition to the NFL.
As I fantasize about it, perhaps very unrealistically, I would love to see the top four rounds go something like this:
1. USC defensive end Nick Perry
2. Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict
3. Troy defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi
4. Nebraska defensive tackle Jared Crick
Yes, that doesn’t help the offensive line, but the hope here is A.J. Smith will find a left guard and right tackle in free agency—along with bringing Jared Gaither back to play left tackle. Making those moves would enable Smith to acquire two intimidating pass-rushers in the draft, causing somewhat of an emulation of what the New York Giants have had going on in recent years.
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