Chargers needs: Fixing the defense a must

Scan the defensive stats from last season and you'll be shocked to see how bad a year it was for the San Diego Chargers on that side of the ball.

They finished ranked 25th in total defense, 15th in points allowed and 31st against the pass, and still found a way to make the playoffs and win a playoff game.

LSU's Tyson Jackson would be a good fit at DE for the Chargers. (US Presswire)

Teams carved the Chargers defense through the air, in large part because pass-rushing star Shawne Merriman played just one game, with that coming on a torn ACL.

Merriman will be back in 2009 after knee surgery, again creating problems for opposing quarterbacks, but he needs help -- a lot of it.

The Chargers need a starter at defensive end, inside linebacker and help in the secondary. Look for San Diego to possibly use their first-round pick on one of those positions. A player like LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson would make a lot of sense. He's a perfect 3-4 end.

The offense is now keyed by quarterback Philip Rivers, not LaDainian Tomlinson, who is on the downside of his career. Both will be back, but it's evident this team will go as Rivers goes.

He could use some help at receiver, and an upgrade at right tackle is needed. But the coaching staff had endorsed right tackle Jeromey Clary, which could be a sign that he's safe. I don't buy it, and a tackle could be taken in the first round.

None of the players taken in this draft will have the impact of Merriman returning to the field. They just need to fill in the spots around him.

QB: With Rivers coming off his best season, the Chargers have a top 10 quarterback. He has matured into a player who can carry this team. Billy Volek and Charlie Whitehurst are capable backups.

RB: The team put aside the ill will it created with Tomlinson and found a way to keep him. He will be the starter again, with Darren Sproles as the backup. How much Tomlinson has left is the major issue. Sproles is more of a third-down back. Jacob Hester is a good guy to have around for spot duty and as a fullback.

WR: They have a capable group, but somehow they need more. Chris Chambers is a good player, but they expected more from Vincent Jackson last season. He has to be better. Legedu Naanee and Malcom Floyd are decent backups. Craig Davis has been a flop as a first-round pick.

TE: Antonio Gates is still one of the game's elite tight ends, but he has been pestered by injuries the past couple of seasons. Brandon Manumaleuna is a nice backup. Gates has to stay healthy to be a force in the middle of the field.

OL: This has been a strong point for the Chargers the past four or five years, but the one problem area has been right tackle. They would like an upgrade over current starter Clary. They could use an early pick on that spot. The rest of the line is solid. Kynan Forney replaces Mike Goff, who was not brought back. L.J. Shelton provides veteran backup help at tackle.

DL: Jamal Williams on the nose and Luis Castillo at right end are both good players, but they need to replace Igor Olshansky, who signed with the Cowboys. Jacques Cesaire will get the first shot. Ryon Bingham will push him. They need depth and could use a high pick here.

LB: The key for the Chargers is the return to health of Merriman. He has to be a 15-sack guy for their defense to go. Shaun Phillips starts on the other side, and he's a good player. The inside backers are Stephen Cooper and Kevin Burnett, a free agent signed away from Dallas. Brandon Siler is a backup. They could use help inside.

DB: Antonio Cromartie didn't play that well last season, but he has Pro Bowl skills at one corner. Quentin Jammer is a good player on the other. It's time for Paul Oliver to step up as the nickel corner. Cletis Gordon and DeJaun Tribble offer depth. Eric Weddle is a good player at free safety, but Clinton Hart struggles in coverage. Steve Gregory will push him for the starting job.