Why The Chargers Shouldn’t Draft A Left Tackle

September 16, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers center Nick Hardwick (61) during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

If the San Diego Chargers want to win this year, they should NOT draft a left tackle.

WAIT! What?!? WTF!!!

They shouldn’t draft a left tackle! You heard it correctly!

First off, the Chargers shouldn’t throw away other picks in order to move up in the draft to select one of the top tackles. We need those picks to add more play makers on the roster.

After the top 3 tackles on the board (maybe even after the top 2 and assuming that they are not on the board), the tackles left in the draft need additional grooming  before they can lock down Philip’s blind side. They all would be better off learning for a season or starting out at right tackle. If we want to win now, we don’t have the time to try and develop one of these guys.

Why would we want to waste a 2nd round selection on a player that isn’t going to contribute immediately? The top of this draft is not strong, but there are plenty of good players that can contribute immediately.

In the 1st round, we would be able to build on our team strength… the defense. Bring in a Kenny Vacarro to line up in the secondary and in the second round you can add a Kiko Alonso to play that middle of the defense. Check out how studly that defense looks now. Weddle and Vacarro patrolling in the secondary with Alonso and Butler taking care of the middle. We would also be able to add a corner that can contribute immediately in the 4th round this year.

What helps Philip Rivers? A defense that gives him short fields and gives him extra opportunities!

Of course we still need to address the offensive line somewhere. We still need a guard and can get a pretty good one in the 3rd or 4th round. We could get Barrett Jones or David Quessenberry around that area and they would be starters on our roster.

Then what do the Chargers do at left tackle? We have to sign a free agent to hold the fort down for a season. That’s why our conversation with Bryant McKinnie is huge. If we can bring him in and get him to hold the fort down for a season, we can then look to take a left tackle come draft time next season.

…ducks and hides from all the crap that is about to be thrown my way…