The Chargers basically made it official Monday with the release of LaDanian Tomlinson, but now following the announcement that they opted not to tender Darren Sproles, our suspicions are confirmed, San Diego will draft an RB in April. This running back will be a top fantasy football keeper/dynasty prospect in 2010 as well as a shoe-in for the #1 overall ranking among rookies.
The surrounding offensive players in San Diego are exceptional (Rivers, Gates, V.Jax, etc), the offensive line is excellent and there is no competition for the job. It’s an ideal situation to allow a rookie RB to produce immediately, and for years to come. This is the perfect rookie keeper scenario.
The question really is; who will San Diego draft and when will he be the full time starter? The Chargers own picks 28, 60 and 91 in the first three rounds and could easily add a free agent RB as a one year insurance policy in addition to drafting a rookie. Several outlets are making predictions.
From USA Today TheHuddle Blog.
The Chargers own the 28th pick of the 2010 draft and could consider players such as Clemson’s C.J. Spiller — if he falls that far — Georgia Tech’s Jonathan Dwyer, Cal’s Jahvid Best and Fresno State’s Ryan Mathews if they decide to make the position their top priority.Among the notable free-agent backs available are Chester Taylor, Willie Parker and Larry Johnson.
From NFLNR.com.
Several players likely to be available when the Chargers select in round one and two are Jonathan Dwyer (Georgia Tech), Jahvid Best (Cal), Ryan Matthews (Fresno State), and Anthony Dixon (Mississippi State). San Diego could also elect to trade away a proven performer like cornerback Antonio Cromartie for either a draft pick or an established player such as Tennessee’s LenDale White, who has made it clear he wants to be a featured back somewhere else this fall.
SD Bolt Report predicts the Chargers draft McCluster.
It wouldn’t matter if San Diego used their second round pick to replace Tomlinson, some one like Dixon or McCluster would be a big-time fantasy football keeper prospect. And don’t worry if they pick up an aging veteran at some point this off-season either, he would just be a temporary third down pass blocker.
Every thing is going to plan if you own the #1 rookie pick in your keeper or dynasty league draft.
UPDATE (3/9) – According to The San Diego Union-Tribune.
The Chargers … are not interested in any of the current free-agent running backs. That could change, however, after the market bears out what each is worth. But the draft remains the team’s most likely route to finding a starting running back.
Other 2010 fantasy football rookie news:
Best bet is Lions will pick running back in second or third round – MLive.com – 2/24
Some NFL team will get a gem in Best – San Francisco Chronicle – 2/25
Kiper says Dwyer is high-risk – Atlanta Journal-Constitution – 2/17
NFL Network draft guru says Dez Bryant has much to prove – NewsOK.com – 2/26
USC’s Williams gets the Palmer treatment -Â Bengals.com – 2/26
Chaney, Dixon hope to impress at NFL Combine -Â The Dispatch – 2/24
Benn, Tate look to excel at combine – ESPN – 2/26
Toby Gerhart eager to prove doubters wrong -Â ESPN – 2/26
Health concerns follow TEs Gresham, Gronkowski into Combine -Â ProFootballWeekly – 2/26
Modesty aside, ‘Dogs’ Mathews more than in the running -Â FresnoBee – 2/23
Auburn’s Ben Tate still thinks he was better than Alabama’s Mark Ingram – al.com – 2/26
Shades