Oct 13, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooner tackle Lane Johnson (69) in action against Texas Longhorns defensive end Alex Okafor (80) during the red river rivalry at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Chargers offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris and Exec VP of Football Ops Johns Spanos were spotted in Oklahoma working out Lane Johnson, via Marty Caswell. This could be there last look at Johnson to see if this is the player that they want to make a move for.

It will be tough for Lane Johnson to fall all the way down to 11, but if he is there it is expected for the Chargers to race up to the podium and make their selection. If the Chargers were to get Lane Johnson, they probably will have to make a trade up toward the top of the draft to select him.

Johnson is one of the top 3 left tackles in the draft and there are a ton of teams in need of a guy that can protect their quarterback’s tail.

If you didn’t know, the Chargers need a left tackle. But you already knew that… I HOPE!

Do you think that the Chargers will end up with Lane Johnson playing at left tackle next season?

Oct 13, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooner tackle Lane Johnson (69) in action against Texas Longhorns defensive end Alex Okafor (80) during the red river rivalry at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns might be looking to trade out of the 6th spot in the NFL Draft. Should the San Diego Chargers look to move up into that spot or move up somewhere in the draft to select Oklahoma LT Lane Johnson?

What would it take to move up to the 6th spot from pick 11? Our 1st rounder and our 3rd? That seems pretty heavy. That should be two starters for the team right there. Is Lane Johnson going to be the difference maker that we need?

If you think that Lane Johnson is going to be an absolute stud, then we do whatever it takes to move up and select him. I would rather have Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher, but Johnson seems to be the easiest target to acquire.

Lane Johnson… Considering I didn’t even want to draft the guy a few months ago, I don’t think I would trade up in the draft to select him. I would be alright selecting him with pick 11, but losing draft picks suck.

With the 11th pick, we could have Chance Warmack or Jonathan Cooper or TAVON AUSTIN or whoever the heck else you want and with the 3rd round pick we could have Leon McFadden or Montee Ball or whoever. Those are two quality players. Trading up doesn’t sound too awesome to me. Would you make move up in the draft?

Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Chance Warmack (65) in action against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Alabama won 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Prime Beef. I love this term used for the big uglies in the interior. I owe it to a Twitter follower who first used it when we were talking during BCS Championship game, I apologize as I can’t remember who it was. We’re not talking about some low-grade Army beef here (trust me, I did my time eating MRE’s…that beef is not good), we’re talking about choice Grade-A Prime Beef. I am specifically talking about the massive side of beef with the gut hanging out in the picture above: Alabama’s OG Chance Warmack.

I am actually a person (and in the minority) who believes that the Chargers should NOT draft a LT with the No. 11 pick. The teams above us also have needs at LT and looking at several different draft scenarios, we would be drafting the 3rd best LT in the draft. Joeckel and Fisher will be gone which leaves us with Lane Johnson of Oklahoma. A prospect who has only played at LT for 1 season, and has only been an OL for the last 2 years. I understand he has possible long-term value but he is not an immediate plug and play LT right now.

There is another reason why I wouldn’t draft a LT at no. 11 and that is due to the amount of solid FA LT’s available. According to ESPN’s very helpful FA Draft Tracker, there are 8 UFA Offensive Tackles with a grade of 75 or higher. These are veteran players who could immediately be put into place over the Big Lazy.

Someone like Jermon Bushrod of the Saints. The Saints are currently over the cap and would have trouble signing Bushrod unless they start releasing several players. Bushrod has played in 62 of a possible 66 career games. And we know durability at LT is a strong desire.

Back to my point about the Prime Beef. Chance Warmack most likely will be available at the no. 11 pick and he is “…the best OG I’ve evaluated in the last decade” as Todd McShay said. He has paved the way over the last 3 years for the run-heavy Crimson Tide.  Just check out these stats:

- Played in all 40 games over the last 3 seasons

- This last season only penalized 2 times in 805 possible snaps

- Allowed only 3 sacks this last season in 315 pass attempts

- Led Alabama with 37 pancake blocks this past season

- Blocked for Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy over last 3 seasons

- Alabama averaged nearly 225 yards rushing per game last season, with about 60% of rushing attempts to left side.

- And was a Unanimous First Team All-American

Chance is a plug and play starter at LG on day one. Also, if new HC McCoy sticks with his zone-blocking scheme that he used in Denver to great success, that will fit in perfectly for Warmack.

We need help on the left-side of our line. Now, you can go to Applebee’s and get a decent steak that will do the job….or you can go to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and get that Prime Beef that will blow your mind-hole.

Oh yeah, and a guy like Warmack will have a direct impact on no. 24 and opening some holes for him. I still believe. #Free24

Dan Locke