RealGM Wiretap
The Oakland Raiders have had great players for most of their history and the San Diego Chargers have had a number of transcendent talents over the past two decades, but finding two representatives with star power for our "Be The GM" series was difficult.
Without any options at quarterback or on defense and Darren McFadden proving too unreliable, the bet for the Raiders is on the potential of Jared Veldheer at left tackle. Eric Weddle has become one of the most underrated talents in the NFL, a free safety that would be a household name if he played for a franchise with wider national exposure and is an easy pick for the Chargers now that Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates have aged out of their primes.
Veldheer was a third round pick by the Raiders in 2010 out of Hillsdale with a 6-8, 321 pound frame. Veldheer as started at left tackle since the middle of his rookie season.
Veldheer is in a contract year and his physique has been frequently buzzed about in the offseason as the Raiders implement a power blocking scheme. Veldheer has evolved to become an excellent pass blocker and 2013 is almost certainly going to be a season in which he solidifies himself as one of the NFL's best left tackles.
Weddle couldn't be spotted in a lineup, according to Warren Sapp, and that is true but he also was graded as having the best season at safety since Pro Football Focus was launched. Many questioned the Chargers' logic in making Weddle the highest paid safety in the NFL, but he has gone on to earn that contract.
In 2012, Weddle had 83 tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles. During the previous season, Weddle intercepted seven balls.
Weddle is still just 28 and is incredibly durable and should be among the NFL's most reliably elite secondary players for many years to come.