Crick is appealing option for mid-round selections

Even though the San Diego Chargers selected defensive lineman Corey Liuget last year, the team still needs to add depth to the front three. As of right now there's no pressure to bring in a nose tackle, since Antonio Garay was re-signed last week and 2010 fifth-round pick Cam Thomas is ready to take on a bigger role. Defensive end, however, is a different story.

The Chargers currently have Liuget and 2009 fourth-round pick Vaughn Martin starting at the defensive end spots. Jacques Cesaire, who will be 32 in August, and Damik Scafe, a 2011 undrafted free agent, are the backups.

After entering the NFL in 2009 from the University of Western Ontario in Canada, Martin seems to be an ascending player who keeps getting better as he learns more about the game played on United States soil. It's unclear if he's ready to be the full-time starter to complement Liuget, however. Cesaire, meanwhile, is just another body, and Scafe is a total unknown.

Taking all of that into consideration, it's obvious San Diego general manager A.J. Smith needs to bring in at least one more defensive end before next season begins. There's been talk that Smith will bring back 2005 first-round pick Luis Castillo or veteran Tommie Harris, but since that hasn't happened yet, one has to wonder if that means the Chargers are looking to select a defensive end at some point in this month's NFL draft.

One prospect who should be on San Diego's radar is Nebraska defensive lineman Jared Crick.

Now considered a mid-round prospect, Crick was one of the most highly-touted defensive linemen heading into the 2011 season. He was coming off a 2010 season in which he amassed 17 tackles for losses and 9.5 sacks. The year before, playing next to Ndamukong Suh, Crick recorded 15 tackles for losses and 9.5 sacks. Understandably, Crick was viewed as a first-round talent after those two dominant campaigns. Unfortunately for him, though, his 2011 season was cut short last October after he suffered a torn pectoral muscle. At that point, he was ranked 18th overall on ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper's big board. Now, Crick is rated as low as a fifth-round prospect by some mock drafts.

Crick's significant fall could come as a great benefit to the Chargers. A little over 6-4 and weighing 279 pounds, he could add a little bulk, but his highly advanced football intelligence, immense love for the game, and ability to cause problems in the opposing offense's backfield are traits that would definitely come in handy for San Diego's defense. The Chargers could definitely use a gritty, determined defensive lineman who possesses the talent to be quite a disruption. Putting Crick in tandem with Liuget is quite an appealing option.

Although Crick wasn't ready to work out at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, he impressed those in attendance for Nebraska's Pro Day. He proved the torn pectoral muscle is no longer an issue, as he pushed up 26 reps on the 225-pound bench press. He also ran the 40-yard dash in 4.94 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.47 seconds, showing he possesses quick feet for his position.

After the workout, CBS Sports NFL draft expert Rob Rang wrote the following about Crick:

He has shorter arms than ideal for a true power end in a 4-3 scheme, but his lower-body power, agility and hand use make him attractive as a slanting 4-3 defensive tackle or 3-4 defensive end.

Given all the information provided on Crick, it's a good bet he'll be, at the very least, a very reliable defensive lineman for whichever team that chooses him. Here's hoping the Chargers will find a way to get him.