Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

Illinois Safety Tavon Wilson is scheduled to visit the Chargers (Aaron Wilson). Does AJ scout any players outside of Illinois? Larry English? Corey Liuget? Maybe Whitney Mercilus?

Wilson would be an option late in the draft and is not someone that will be competing for the starting strong safety job. He would most likely make the team as a special teamer if he were to make the roster.

We still are searching for another body to compete for the starting safety job with Atari Bigby and Darrell Stuckey. Who will that guy be?

Feb 27, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus jumps to loosen his legs before the shuttle run during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

The San Diego Chargers are in attendance for the Illinois Pro Day today to try and get one more look at pass rushing specialist Whitney Mercilus. Also in attendance were the Jets, Chiefs, Bengals, Giants, Rams and Titans (NFL Draft Update). Other prospects from Illinois are OG Jeff Allen (3rd round) and WR AJ Jenkins (3rd-4th round).

Mercilus is one of the prospects that we could possibly take with the 18th pick in the draft. He has a fierce pass rush and will be displaying it for the scouts. He will probably trying to answer some questions again on why he was a “one-year wonder.”

It sounds like Mercilus impressed the scouts during his workout:

What’s more, Mercilus looked quick and explosive in pass-rush drills and created a buzz among scouts with how well he did in outside linebacker drills. Three scouts remarked about how smooth and fluid Mercilus looked in his drops, and Mercilus even showed good hands. – Chicago Tribune

Will he impress the Chargers enough to make him our first round pick?

Dec 31, 2011; San Francisco CA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during a play after losing his helmet against the UCLA Bruins during the second quarter at AT

Whitney Mercilus has the label of one-year wonder on him. He led the NCAA with 16 sacks and forced 9 fumbles last season. He is one of the guys that the Chargers have their eyes on:

Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus says Chargers are one of teams that have shown interest in him at Combine.

— Christopher Smith (@SDchargersdude) February 25, 2012

Could we draft a guy out of Illinois in the first round 2 seasons in a row? Last season, we spent our first round draft pick on Corey Liuget and this season Mercilus is on our radar. He is having a big combine and should be catching the eyes of the Chargers

#Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus’ two unofficial 40s were 4.65, 4.63. Also explosive 10-yard splits. Having big Combine.

— Evan Silva (@evansilva) February 27, 2012

Here is the scouting report on Mercilus from Pro Football Weekly:

Upside:

• Outstanding athlete
• Good second-effort production — hustles and works to the ball
• Great closing burst
• Versatile — rushes from inside, outside
• Nation’s leader in sacks, forced fumbles
Downside:

• Plays too upright
• Raw hand technician
• Stays blocked
• Average instincts
• Not dynamic changing direction
• Limited point-of-attack, base strength
• One-year producer
The Way We See It:

Motivated to support his hardworking, Haitian immigrant parents, Mercilus declared early, but is still very much a work in progress. Is a relentless, straight-linish speed rusher capable of disrupting anywhere on a four-man line. Stands out more for his effort than rush skill.

Is he a one-year wonder or can he continue on from that impressive season? Will he be able to shed blockers in the NFL? He could be the linebacker that we line up on the opposite side of Shaun Phillips.