SAN DIEGO -- This is a good year to find a wide receiver in the first two rounds of the NFL draft. Eight wideouts figure to have their names called before Round 2 concludes.

The Chargers, though, will not be among the teams looking for a good catch at receiver. They've already used their second-round pick on a receiver -- they traded the selection to the Miami Dolphins last October to acquire veteran Chris Chambers.

"I know when we're sitting there and someone says, 'You don't have a second-round pick,' I'm going to say, 'No, but we have Chris Chambers,' " coach Norv Turner said of the player who provided a major boost to the Chargers' receiving corps. "There aren't many guys on the board in the second round that will be as good a player as Chris Chambers."

Only time will tell whether any of receivers projected as first-round picks will prove to be as good as Chambers, a second-rounder in 2001 with 47 career touchdown receptions.

Michigan State's Devin Thomas, Texas' Limas Sweed and California's DeSean Jackson are the consensus top three receivers. Two others who could go late in the first round are Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly and Indiana's James Hardy.

Thomas led the Big Ten in receiving yards (1,260) last season and has flown up draft boards after an impressive showing at the NFL combine. Sweed has the combination of size (a shade under 6-foot-4) and soft hands that intrigues teams, but a lingering wrist injury has prompted concerns.

Jackson, the most athletic receiver in the draft, also brings extra value in being a top-flight kick and punt returner. Jackson is viewed as needing more time to develop his receiving game at the pro level.

Kelly combines strength and athleticism but lacks the speed to be a high first-round pick. Hardy, who stands 6-5 1/2, creates mismatch problems for smaller cornerbacks and caught 16 touchdown passes last season.

Michigan's Mario Manningham is a big-time playmaker but has turned off some teams with his ego and off-the-field problems and won't be selected until the second round. LSU's Early Doucet was highly productive as a No. 3 receiver behind 2007 first-round picks Dwayne Bowe (Chiefs) and Craig Davis (Chargers) but struggled some last season when he was the Tigers' No. 1 target.

Florida's Andre Caldwell, the brother of former Chargers receiver Reche Caldwell, also figures to be picked somewhere in the second round.

Though the class of receivers is deep, it's unlikely the Chargers will grab one in the later rounds unless they apply the "best athlete available" theory.

The Chargers drafted two receivers last year (Davis and Legedu Naanee) and will welcome the injured Eric Parker back to go with starters Chambers and Vincent Jackson.

The logjam has prompted Kassim Osgood, used almost solely on special teams, to ask for a trade.

"He would like to be a wide receiver first and not pigeonholed or categorized as a special teams' contributor," Smith said of Osgood. "He's got a contract for two years. He won't be traded. We expect him to honor his contract for the next two years."

The Chargers aren't in the market for a tight end despite Antonio Gates' recent foot surgery. The top tight ends in the draft are Texas A&M's Martellus Bennett, Purdue's Dustin Keller and USC's Fred Davis.

All three are projected as second-round picks.

Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com. Comment at sports.nctimes.com.