Having won the AFC West three consecutive seasons and coming off a 13-3 season in 2009, the San Diego Chargers were far more settled with their roster heading into this year’s draft than the three nonplayoff teams chasing them in the division.
And after two days of the three-day selection weekend, the Chargers have taken only two players — Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews in the first round and Washington linebacker Donald Butler in the third.
Mathews, who topped 1,800 yards rushing last season, should have an immediate impact for an offense that is now without LaDainian Tomlinson. Tomlinson was released, and the remaining running back, Darren Sproles, has not shown he can be the team’s primary ball carrier.
Chargers general manager A.J. Smith went as far as to call Mathews “a championship-level running back” and that “we think he’s going to add a lot to our offensive package.”
San Diego is scheduled to make four picks today. The Broncos have taken five players and the Chiefs four over the draft’s first two days, with Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli having made it clear he is looking for athletic impact.
After taking Tennessee safety Eric Berry in the first round Thursday night, one of the most athletic players in the draft, Pioli followed in the second round with Mississippi wide receiver Dexter McCluster.
McCluster is a multitasker who was the first player in SEC history to rush for 1,000 yards and have at least 500 yards receiving in the same season. McCluster was selected all-SEC at running back and at wide receiver.
McCluster also has the potential to be a productive returner, having run back eight punts and 19 kickoffs in college. The Chiefs’ other second- round pick, Alabama cornerback Javier Arenas, is one of the best returners on the board, and scouts believe he was one of the best defensive backs available in rushing a quarterback out of the slot.
Kansas City also took Illinois guard Jon Asamoah, who is one of the most physical linemen in the draft.
“Whether you pick high or pick low, the bottom line is dynamics change, obviously,” Pioli told reporters in Kansas City. “A lot of things change, but you still want to get good players, regardless of where you’re picking.”
The Raiders, who routinely raise eyebrows around the league for their draft day work, have been uncharacteristically quiet, taking three players in the draft’s first two days. They went defense on the first two with Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain on Thursday and Texas defensive tackle Lamarr Houston on Friday.
Houston, a Doherty graduate, should compete quickly to get in the rotation in the defensive front. The Raiders also took Hillsdale College tackle Jared Veldheer, who at 6-feet-8 did not surrender a sack or miss a single offensive snap in any game in his college career, in the third round.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
