Dissection and Projection; Make Your Own Mock

Now that the offseason is here and the San Diego Chargers have much rebuilding to do many mock drafts are to follow. I keep coming across the same question over and over from people, “How do you come up with mock drafts?” While the answer can be simple I figured I could explain it better for fans through an article. I will be taking you through step by step of my process and what goes into my mock draft analyzation.

What are the needs of the team: The first thing you should do is understand what the team needs to do to improve themselves. Thoroughly look at every position and see which one drives you nuts. keep going down in order from there.

Projection: San Diego has a long wish list this year. In my mind the list should look something like this, Offensive line, Corner Back, Linebacker, Strong Safety, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Quarterback, Defensive Line, Free Safety.

Locate Free Agents that have a chance of leaving: Every team will have a list of people who will choose to leave or stay with the present team. While we can only predict what will happen, for an accurate mock draft you will have to assume where the team will go with the Free Agents they have. San Diego has a list of 24 free agents (20 unrestricted and 4 restricted).

Unrestricted means they may sign with any club, with no compensation owed to his old club, through the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp (usually late July). At that point, his rights revert to his old club if it made a “tender” offer to him by June. His old club then has until the Tuesday after the 10th week of the season to re-sign him. If he does NOT sign by then, he must sit out the season.

A restricted free agent is a player who has received a “qualifying” offer (negotiated in the CBA) from his old club, but is free to negotiate with any club through the free agent signing period. If he accepts an offer from a new club, his old club can match the offer and retain him, or not match the offer and possibly receive draft-choice compensation depending on the amount of its qualifying offer.

Projection: With some key Free Agent signings San Diego can be competitive again, I also take in the tight cap situation. I think that the Chargers can wait out Philips and get a decent price tag on him. While they will almost have to be forced to make a decision between Cason and Jammer. When all the smoke clears I feel as if some of the holes that San Diego will fill is corner back and outside linebacker.

What will teams do before the Chargers: So now comes the difficult part, What will picks 1-10 do. With this part just take a look at the big board and draft till the 11th pick. This years order starts with the Chiefs and so forth. If you lack a little knowledge of what a team needs, or aren’t up to date, ESPN always has mock drafts as well as other websites that can give you an idea. Also don’t forget to watch the Combine due to the fact that you can get a lot of information on what makes a “player,” at the respected positions.

Projection: With the big position the Chargers are looking at is Offensive Line. I can’t see the Chiefs not going quarterback here. Another possibility is for them to go Defensive Tackle. The pick the Chiefs make will determine how the Chargers first round pick will go. The Eagles are bound to go offensive line. So that takes Luke Joeckle off the board. You can almost never project what teams will do on draft day. So don’t take it out on yourself.

Make your pick: So now that you decided where you think your team will go it is time to make a pick based on the information that you have gathered. Everything you have studied and read about comes down to this one moment. for a minute you get to be the General Manager of your team! Pick wisely!

Projection: With the 11th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft the San Diego Chargers select… Eric Fisher, Offensive Tackle, Central Michigan.

Support your thinking: You will have haters but it’s up to you, as it is Tom Telesco, to defend your selection.

Projection: You can’t hide the fact that San Diego needs help on the line. They need to get some rocks in front of Rivers and Fisher is a great pick. He wouldn’t be a bad selection at all. Fisher is big, strong, and ready to go. He is a player that can make an impact right away. I just don’t see offensive linemen lasting too long in this years draft. You’ll see them fly off the board after this point. I don’t think they should take a chance waiting for a Kyle Long type from Oregon due to the fact that he just might not fall to the Chargers in the second.

Remember this, you are not finished! You need to update and keep people on their toes. They need to say, “I wonder who they projected this week.” Keep them coming back for more. As for the rest of the draft? Start out by looking at a full 7 round draft and judge by that with you’re own pick. You might not agree with everyone but the more and more you get experience the further and further you can go on your own. So who do you think the Chargers will draft?

GOOD LUCK AND BOLT PRIDE!

-Joey Nicks