Marion Grice (1) receives the kick-off at the 2 yard line and returns the ball 44 yards in the game against the Utah Utes during the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Arizona State Sun Devils won the game 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
The San Diego Chargers have a pretty crowded backfield with feature back Ryan Mathews, excellent all-purpose guy Danny Woodhead, and offseason signing Donald Brown. While Brown is a solid player, the Chargers decision to sign him was criticized a bit because their backfield was already talented enough. Well, the Chargers decided to add another running back to the mix in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, as they took a late flier on Arizona State Sun Devils RB Marion Grice.
So far, Tom Telesco has put together another fine draft in San Diego, and the team’s first two picks were absolutely amazing. Jason Verrett can be a shutdown corner in this league despite size concerns, and it’s telling that size is the only thing held against him that this point. The Chargers followed up the pick by adding Jeremiah Attaochu in the second round, and I considered that to be a steal.
I’m not really sure why the Chargers went with Grice, especially since they could have picked up a wide receiver in the sixth instead. Grice is coming off of a broken fibula, and he isn’t all the way back yet, as evidenced by a workout last month in which he looked a bit sluggish. Grice is a mediocre rusher, but he can bring plenty to the table as a pass-catcher. That said, the last thing the Chargers need is a receiving back, because they are more than fine in that regard. I don’t hate the Grice pick since it’s a late-round flier on an above-average prospect, but I wonder if the Chargers could have found someone they can use more often.