Grading The Chargers 2013 Draft

By Peter Thompson
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Aug 8, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks receiver Brett Swain (16) has a pass broken up by San Diego Chargers cornerback Steve Williams (27) in the end zone during the first half at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Steve Williams / Cornerback / Round 5 / Pick #145:

This is one of those picks that just leaves you wanting more. I don’t mean that it was a bad pick. I simply mean that I really wanted to see how this young man was going to play this season. The secondary was a huge concern coming into the draft, and we needed all the help we could get. We had just let both of our starting cornerbacks walk in free agency, and there wasn’t anywhere to go but up, right? We couldn’t have been more wrong. Derek Cox was a major Free Agency disappointment, and Steve Williams sustained a torn pectoral muscle before the season even began. We were left to depend on Shareece Wright, Richard Marshall, Johnny Patrick, and Crezdon Butler. Later in the year, Marcus Gilchrist returned from strong safety to cover the nickel back duties, after Johnny Patrick was injured & Derek Cox was benched. However, aside from some decent play from Wright & Gilchrist, there wasn’t too much to get excited about from the cornerback position.

When they picked Steve Williams, my first reaction was “Seriously? He’s 5’ 9” in heels”!!! But, after watching some tape from his college career, I became more excited to see him in action. He has a nose for the ball, and laid his body out to break up numerous passes, after baiting opposing quarterbacks into throwing his direction. We were able to see a little bit of him in preseason, and he looked very promising. It’s too bad that we have to wait until the 2014 season to really see what he can contribute. We haven’t had much luck with our defensive draft picks staying healthy lately (Ingram / Taylor / Williams / Mouton), so getting Williams back will hopefully give some relief to our struggling secondary. We are already behind the ball with our salary cap, and cornerback is perceived as our #1 need heading into the draft.

Grade: C

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