Poll Position

So, here is my first article on BoltBeat.com. I’ll start out by thanking big Ern for the opportunity to contribute to the site. I also want to give a shout out to the other writers on here, as I am happy to be an official part of the family.

For my first post, I figured I would keep it simple, and fun. I decided to start an ongoing series of posts called “Poll Position”. It’s a play on words of one of my favorite racecar video games growing up, “Pole Position”. (OK, I just dated myself there). If that name has been used already by anybody else, just let me know, because I’m using it anyway. (unless it’s a writer on here)

I have always thought that one of the best parts of Bolt Beat is when you can see what everyone else thinks. Sometimes, it can be surprising to see how people feel, or how close the debate on a certain topic really is! You can get a feel from the comments section, but there are sometimes people who are too lazy to comment, too afraid to say how they feel about something (backlash), or people who just stop by for a few… and don’t really care to comment.

For my first poll, I will keep it short and sweet. The 2013 draft is right around the corner, and the free agency frenzy has all but subsided. There has been plenty of time to see which teams have filled needs, and which ones still have glaring holes to fill. This has directly affected how the Chargers will draft, as a lot of the teams picking before us have the same needs that the Bolts do. Some even have the resources to trade ahead of us, such as Miami.

Furthermore, there are mock drafts out there that have all 5 of the top offensive line prospects being taken before we even pick. Barring an expensive trade up, or a player falling like a gift from the sky, the Chargers may be forced to take another approach to their first pick. Maybe even trade down.

Here is where the poll comes in. I want to know which side of the ball Charger fans think Tom Telesco & Company will end up drafting. Not what you WANT him to do, but what you feel in your heart he WILL do.

After you cast your vote, I would love to hear what players you feel is worth a first round pick. #11 isn’t ideal to be picking at, with our team needs, and all of these teams ahead of us. However, one bright spot is that the amount of money we have to pay a player we draft, that makes it to his 5th year in the pros, is less starting at the 11th pick. This means that we will have the first opportunity to get a potentially great player, without having to pay him top ten money. Let’s hope we draft a keeper!!! I have posted the top 3 players at each position below. Mainly, so you don’t have to go somewhere else to find out who these players are.

Now, let’s get the conversation rolling!

Chargers possible offensive needs: OLT, ORT, OG, RB, WR

Tackle: 1. Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M 2. Eric Fisher, Central Michigan 3. Lane Johnson, Oklahoma 4. D.J. Fluker, Alabama T- 5.Menelik Watson, Florida State T-5. Justin Pugh, Syracuse

Guard: 1. Chance Warmack, Alabama 2. Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina 3. Larry Warford, Kentucky

Running Back: 1. Eddie Lacy, Alabama 2. Montee Ball, Wisconsin 3. Andre Ellington, Clemson

Wide Receiver: 1. Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee 2. Keenan Allen, Cal 3. Tavon Austin, West Virginia

Chargers possible defensive needs: CB, ILB, SS, DT, OLB, DE

Cornerback: 1. Dee Milliner, Alabama 2. Xavier Rhodes, Florida State 3. Desmond Trufant, Washington

Inside Linebacker: 1. Alec Ogletree, Georgia 2. Manti Te’o, Notre Dame 3. Kevin Minter, LSU

Safety: 1. Kenny Vaccaro, Texas 2. Matt Elam, Florida 3. Jonathan Cyprien, Florida International

Defensive Tackle: 1. Sharrif Floyd, Florida 2. Sheldon Richardson, Missouri 3. Sylvester Williams, North Carolina

3-4 Defensive End: 1. Star Lotulelei, Utah 2. Margus Hunt, SMU 3. Datone Jones, UCLA

4-3 Defensive End: 1. Bjoern Werner, Florida State 2. Ezekiel Ansah, BYU 3. Damontre Moore, Texas A&M

Which way do you think Tom Telesco will pick in the first round?

View Results