The Chargers are in great shape at QB as they head into the 2007 NFL season.  Many thought the Chargers were making a mistake in letting Drew Brees go last season but Philip Rivers’ play has silenced some of the critics.  Rivers has a better arm to get the ball down the field than Brees had and the Chargers have brought in some speedy receivers in the draft to stretch the field.  Rivers started all 16 games last season for the Chargers and he completed 284 of 460 passes (61.7%) for 3,388 yards with 22 TD passes and 9 interceptions (92.0 QB Rating).  He also carried the football 48 times for 49 yards (1.0 ypc).  Rivers main asset is his accuracy and that should be a trait that continues to make him a very effective QB in the NFL.  It also seems like he picked up a few tricks by watching Drew Brees play in front of him for a little while.  Rivers has played in 20 games (16 starts) in his career and he’s completed 301 of 490 passes (61.4%) for 3,536 yards with 23 TD passes and 10 interceptions (90.5 QB Rating).  He also has carried the football 53 times for 43 yards (0.8 ypc).

Billy Volek was added to the Chargers in a trade with the Titans before last season and he’s a really good backup QB.  He can make all of the throws and he has some starting experience which went pretty well for the Titans.  Volek only played in 1 game last season for the Chargers and he completed 1 of 2 (50%) passes for 4 yards (56.3 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 3 times for a loss of 3 yards (-1.0 ypc).  Over his career the numbers are pretty good though.  He has played in 25 games (10 starts) and he’s completed 313 of 519 passes (60.3%) for 3,509 yards with 26 TD passes and 13 interceptions (86.8 QB Rating).  He also has carried the football 26 times for 54 yards (2.1 ypc) with 2 TD runs. 

Charlie Whitehurst was a rookie last season and he will be the resident clipboard holder for the Chargers this season.  Whitehurst played in 2 games last season (0 starts) and he didn’t attempt a pass but he carried the football 2 times for 13 yards (6.5 ypc).

The Chargers got a steal right here as experts projected Brandon Siler to get drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round.  Siler is a natural middle linebacker as he makes plays well in the tackle box.  He can get to outside runs as long as he’s kept clean by his defensive line.  At Florida, Siler has played in 37 games (31 starts) and he made 218 tackles, 30 tackles for a loss, had 10 sacks and broke up 11 passes.  Siler will be a backup as a rookie and a special teams player, but he could develop into a starter down the road for the Chargers.

With a big need at WR the Chargers were looking for a player with upside and they got one with Naanee.  Naanee has only played WR for a couple of seasons so he’s a little bit raw but Norv Turner and company think they can coach him up.  Naanee was a backup QB at Boise State so he also gives the Chargers the option of using some trick plays when he’s on the field.  He is a big guy at 6′2″, 225 pounds but he runs a 4.55 40 so he projects out to be a possession receiver in the pros.  Naanee played in 30 games (15 starts) at WR and he caught 74 passes for 1,073 yards (14.5 avg) with 12 TD grabs.  He also carried the football 18 times for 198 yards (11.0 ypc).  Naanee is a player to keep your eye on.

Norv Turner wanted some more help in the passing game and that’s the reason for the selection of Scott Chandler.  Even though they already have Antonio Gates it’s possible that they will line up together in some two TE sets.  Chandler is a good receiver but he’s not much help in the running game as he’s not much of a blocker.  He is a big guy at 6′6″, 268 pounds and he has decent speed as he runs a 4.76 40.  In 43 games at Iowa, Chandler played in 43 games (23 starts) and he caught 117 passes for 1,467 yards (12.5 avg) with 10 TD receptions.