San Diego Chargers 5 Round NFL Mock Draft

November 3, 2012; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Tavon Austin (1) runs after a pass reception to score a forty three yard touchdown against the TCU Horned Frogs during the second quarter at Milan Puskar Field. The TCU Horned Frogs won 39-38 in two overtimes. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY SportsTime to go ahead and try to project who the Chargers will get in their first five rounds of the NFL Draft. This projection will be more on where I want them to select over who I think they really would go with.

1st Round: WR Tavon AustinIf you have watched anything about me and this draft, then you know I have this obsession with Tavon Austin. The three top left tackles will be gone and you have to get the best player available. I would be tempted to select Chance Warmack or Jonathan Cooper with the selection, but when you can find another pretty good guard in the next round, you go with another impact player.

2nd Round: OG Larry WarfordWe didn’t make that selection of an offensive lineman in the first round and I am sure that will have some people wondering what the heck we are doing. Warford would be an immediate starter on the offensive line at guard.

3rd Round: LB Kiko AlonsoIf Alonso is there in the 3rd, it would be tough for the Chargers to pass on the kid. He comes with some baggage, but he would start in the middle of the defense immediately with Donald Butler and would make an impact.

4th Round: CB Tyrann MathieuI would love Mathieu. If he didn’t smoke so much weed, he would be one of the top corners available. Luckily I only care about the football field.

5th Round: OT Ricky WagnerWe need to bring in that offensive line help. Any of the guys past the first round seem to need some grooming before being tossed out on the line. Bring in Wagner and let him learn behind some vets and he can be the next right tackle.

As you can tell, I am not afraid to take risks. The left tackles are not there, so the Chargers need to find a vet to play the spot. They will have to go after Max Starks or Bryant McKinnie to fill that hole. Also, I would try and bring back Corey Lynch as an insurance policy for Brandon Taylor.

Round out that defense by trying to bring back Shaun Phillips and Quentin Jammer on cheap 1-year deals. Have to convince them that they are role players now too. That probably won’t work with both, but still possible.

5 rounds and 4 players that will contribute significantly next season and a player you can try and groom for the future. Rounds 6 and 7 you can try and find some depth at nose tackle and select that sleeper running back.