San Diego Chargers 2013 Draft Preview

Apr 16, 2013 - 2:11 PM (Sports Network) - New Chargers coach Mike McCoy arrives in America's most Beautiful City as the architect of the reclamation product called Philip Rivers.

Rivers is obviously talented but fell on hard times during the final season of the Norv Turner era, quite possibly due to his porous offensive line. Losing the team's best lineman, guard Louis Vasquez, to AFC West-rival Denver doesn't help and mission No. 1 in San Diego will be rebuilding things up front.

The Chargers did bring in tackle King Dunlap from Philadelphia as well as guards Rich Ohrnberger from Arizona and Chad Rinehart from Buffalo but those guys aren't exactly difference makers and it's almost a fait accompli that the Chargers will select the best available O-Lineman when their pick comes up at No. 11. Oklahoma tackle Lane Johnson, Alabama guard Chance Warmack and UNC guard Jonathan Cooper are all possibilities.

The team also needs help at corner despite adding former Jacksonville starter Derek Cox as well as more depth at linebacker, particularly outside.

2012 Record: 7-9

Top Needs: OT, OG, CB, OLB

First Three Picks: No. 11, No. 45, No. 76

Number of Selections: 7 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2012 - Melvin Ingram (OLB, South Carolina); 2011 - Corey Liuget (DE, Illinois); 2010 - Ryan Mathews (RB, Fresno State); 2009 - Larry English (OLB, Northern Illinois); 2008 - Antoine Cason (CB, Arizona); 2007 - Buster Davis (WR, LSU); 2006 - Antonio Cromartie (CB, Florida State); 2005 - Shawne Merriman (OLB, Maryland), Luis Castillo (DT, Northwestern); 2004 - Philip Rivers* (QB, North Carolina State); 2003 - Sammy Davis (CB, Texas A&M); 2002 - Quentin Jammer (CB, Texas).

*Originally drafted by N.Y. Giants, then traded to Chargers on draft day in exchange for San Diego first-round pick Eli Manning