2009 NFL Draft two years out: San Diego Chargers

Without a doubt some of the shine of this draft has worn off a bit. The San Diego Chargers may have whiffed on their first round pick, scored a decent starter in the third round, and not a lot else. So far this draft class as really underperformed. Granted some of that is due to injury but all of it factors in.

Here is a quick look at the 2009 Chargers draft class:

• Round One (16)- Larry English LB
• Round Three(78)- Louis Vazquez OG
• Round Four-(113)- Vaughn Martin DT
• Round Four(133)-Tyronne Green C
• Round Four(134)- Gartrell Johnson RB
• Round Five (148)- Brandon Hughes CB
• Round Six (189)- Kevin Ellison S
• Round Seven (224)- Demetrius Byrd WR

So far Larry English has under produced. Remember we have to judge him as the 16th overall pick in 2009 and so far he has not lived up to that. In his rookie year he played in every game and racked up 36 tackles and two sacks. Last year he played in only eight games before going down with a foot injury. He produced just 17 tackles and three sacks.

Louis Vasquez is the team’s starting RG, Vaughn Martin has started 20 games for this team and has predominantly played DE, Tyronne Green is a backup guard, Gartrell Johnson was cut before the 2009 season, Brandon Hughes now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, Kevin Ellison (who was previously a day two draft steal) was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks, and Demetrius Byrd sustained a shoulder injury that ended his 2009 season and was later cut by the team.

By my count this draft landed the Chargers one legit starter, and another he may be able to bounce back at some point. It is not a terrible draft, but not a great one either.

Related Links:

• San Diego Chargers news and notes
• Joshua Lobdell.com