Here's a question for you: how many offensive lineman did SD take in the 1st round when Buddy was part of the mix? None. In fact, from 2001-2007 with SD, they took only one offensive lineman in the second round (Marcus McNeill) and one in third (Courtney Van Buren). It obviously doesn't preclude an offensive lineman from being taken, but it is an interest fact nonetheless.
In that same period, SD took three QBs in the first three rounds (Charlie Whitehurst, Eli Manning and Drew Brees) and two DTs (Luis Castillo and Igor Olashansky), three linebackers (Merriman, Ben Leber and Anthony Waters) and no DEs.