SAN DIEGO – A Pro Bowl running back, a game-changing linebacker, a special teams ace and a solid rotational defensive lineman is not a bad haul.
General Manager A.J. Smith now has drafted a Pro Bowler in six of the last eight years. That’s including 2011, a group of eight rookies with no organized offseason.
The Chargers added 2007 to that list last year with second-round pick 
But optimism for San Diego’s long-term future may center on the remaining four players from the 2010 class, which overcame an injury-filled first campaign and the lack of an offseason to become one of the brightest story lines of the year.
“For the Class of 2010, we’re very happy with the development,” Smith said. “We’ve always felt that it takes about three years to get somewhat of a gauge on a draft class and what their contributions will be.
“But right now as far as the entire organization, I’m talking about the front office and coaches jointly, we really like the development of what we see.”
First-round pick
San Diego did not have a second-round selection in 2010, but chose
Butler finished second on the team with 102 tackles this season and became the team’s only defensive player with a sack, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also scored a defensive touchdown.
Fourth-round pick
Fifth-round selection
“Two things have happened, I think, with that group. No. 1, three of them have overcome injuries that limited their opportunities in their first year,” Head Coach Norv Turner said. “All the guys were productive players coming out of college, so I think that’s a starting point.
“People want to make a rush judgment after year one, but it’s an adjustment to play in this league. The time they put in and the time the coaches put in with them has paid off.”
Injuries waylaid the class during their rookie season. Butler, Stuckey and Thomas played a combined seven games, the former two because of injuries.
Butler didn’t even dress for a preseason contest after rupturing his Achilles tendon during training camp. Stuckey practiced with the starting defense during the offseason before a groin injury forced him to miss valuable practice time and slowed his development.
Mathews paced the group with 12 games played, but the running back labored through much of the season with a high-ankle sprain, often missing practice and taking the field at less than 100 percent.
Then the labor negotiations halted player activity at Chargers Park for most of April, May, June and July.
The four players missed just four combined games in 2011 – a pair each by Mathews and Stuckey, including the season finale with no chance at the playoffs.
Mathews and Butler started a combined 30 games while becoming leaders on offense and defense during just their second seasons. The players voted Mathews the team’s Offensive Player of the Year, and Butler became a starred guy on scouting reports according to more than one opposing head coach.
The role for Stuckey and Thomas could increase as well as the ability of all four as they go through their first full offseason as professional football players.
“I think they all were affected by not having the offseason opportunities they normally would have (last year) and I think this year they could make even greater progress because they’ll have a full offseason,” Turner said.
Said Smith: “Time will tell. We think the offseason will strengthen that class. There’s a few more years to go before the evaluation is complete, but we like where that class is headed and what direction they’re going right now.”
