2014 NFL Draft Grades: Grading the AFC West Round One picks

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Jason Verrett (TCU) poses for a photo with commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number twenty-five overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the San Diego Chargers at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego Chargers: Jason Verrett (CB, TCU)

Another AFC West pick I really liked was made by the Chargers here, who threw caution to the wind in selecting the undersized Verrett despite the size concerns as well as the torn labrum that the ultra-tough if not diminutive Verrett managed to play through during the Horned Frogs season.

That toughness will be needed on Sunday’s for Verrett, who will now be looking to model his game after an undersized star in the Chargers secondary in Eric Weddle by proving the scouts who value size over tenacity and skill that you can be small and still dominate in the secondary at the pro level.

Can Verrett do that? Well he managed to lead the Big 12 in passes defended during his full Junior season with the Horned Frogs with 22, including six interceptions on the season before winning the 2013 Big 12 co-Defensive Player of the Year despite not being able to get in a full year thanks to his aforementioned labrum injury. Those numbers in a strong conference dictate that Verrett should be fine in the NFL if (most important factor) used in the correct role and against the right assignments by his defensive coordinators.

San Diego clearly wanted to bolster their secondary and Verrett was the sixth defensive back taken in the draft, meaning that this pick was the value one for the team. Pass rush was another need that perhaps could have seen them get a better talent at the defensive tackle position, but there is nothing wrong with adding their future slot corner in Verrett in this spot.

Grade: B