Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad offensive lineman Lane Johnson of Oklahoma (69) prior to kickoff of a game against the Senior Bowl north squad at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

These mock drafts are going to be coming out even more and more now that the season is completed. The draft order is set and players will be shooting up and down the board depending on their performances at the NFL combines and at their school workouts.

Here is the latest edition of the FanSided NFL mock draft and their selection for the San Diego Chargers:

11. San Diego Chargers – Lane Johnson, OT/Oklahoma
Thanks to some great Senior Bowl practices, Oklahoma’s Lane Johnson is rising up draft boards at a pretty quick rate and due to some names dropping out he could go higher than expected. Jake Matthews and Taylor Lewan deciding to return to college means there’s a lack of supply for the high demand of offensive tackles at the top of the NFL Draft. San Diego is going to want to protect Philip Rivers and that starts with improving the offensive line.

With the way things play out in this draft, not sure if I would have the Chargers select anyone else. Chance Warmack, Dee Milliner and Eric Fisher are all gone.

We have to see what the team does in free agency, but that biggest need is to get players for that offensive line. Lane Johnson would be an excellent addition to the team, but I am not sold on his talents and picking him with the 11th pick is a risk. He probably would be a lot better than Mike Harris.

Here is his scouting report from CBS Sports:

STRENGTHS: Johnson looks the part with a large frame and long arms (35″). He has quick feet to mirror and has an effortless kick-slide. Explosive off the snap and sets up quickly, using his extremely wide base to cover a large area. He digs his cleats in the turf and lowers his butt in pass protection with the strong upper body to control defenders.

Johnson does a nice job using his length to keep rushers at bay and uses his physical limbs to eliminate defenders with his nasty attitude. He has large, powerful hands and usually keeps his hands inside. Natural bender with flexible joints, contorting his frame and selling out for blocks. He locks out and seals defenders on the edge, doing a nice job engaging in space to create run lanes.

Has the competitive drive that scouts want for the position and the upside to continue to develop at the position

WEAKNESSES: Room to pack on some more muscle to his frame and strengthen his anchor. He will play undisciplined at times and overextend himself in space, caught hunched at the wait too often. Gets in trouble when he stops his feet and his technique needs refinement. He needs to keep his feet underneath him to better sustain and not fall off blocks.

Johnson needs to keep his eyes elevated in the run game and improve his blocking angles. He plays a tad mechanical and his hand placement can get sloppy at times. He has only played on the offensive line for two seasons and is still rough around the edges at times.

COMPARES TO: Joe Staley, OT, San Francisco 49ers – Johnson is taller and longer than Staley, but they have similar athletic backgrounds and the mobility that makes them impressive in pass protection and blocking on the move.

– Dane Brugler

Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; A general view as members of the military are honored during the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

As we all know, it is now the mock draft season that will become the focus of our down time until late April.

Last year, my mock draft yielded only one correct player.  I also guessed the round in which he would be drafted. 

That player would be tight end Ladarius Green.  Although Green was rarely active during the 2012 season, I do believe he has a bright future in San Diego.  He will definitely need to bulk up to be able to compete in the NFL.  My confidence level has risen significantly, in that regard, knowing that the strength and conditioning staff has been fired.

But, enough of that talk.  Let’s jump right into my first mock of the Chargers 2013 draft.  I’ll do a brief write up below each individual player and why I’m suggesting that they would be a good addition.

Enjoy and please leave some comments at the bottom of the article.  I’d love to hear some of your ideas on who you would like to see wearing lightning bolts in 2013.

Round 1:

Eric Fisher OT Central Michigan

Fisher is having himself a great practice week in Mobile leading up to the Senior Bowl.  So good, in fact, that he may be forcing teams to draft him in the top ten.  That being said, I am counting on a couple of QB hungry teams to overdraft an incoming collegiate player far too soon.  Fingers crossed that Fisher is still on the board at 11.

Round 2:

Desmond Trufant CB Washington

Like Fisher, he may be having “too good” of a showing in Mobile.  He has looked fantastic in off man and man coverage in one on one drills.  He’s very aggressive and uses his hands very well.  He will have to be aware of the NFL’s rule about no contact after 5 yards though.  He is a guy that is capable of plugging in immediately if necessary.

Round 3:

Andre Ellington RB Clemson

Ellington is a bit smaller in stature but has that explosive burst that you love in a running back.  His vision has improved and he shows good balance.  He should run the forty yard dash in the low 4.4s at the combine. 

Round 4:

Nico Johnson ILB Alabama

Good size and good speed as well for the position.  Johnson would be a nice compliment to Donald Butler in the middle of the Charger 34 defense.  My opinion is that he would take a year to learn the NFL game and then be a big contributor in year two.  If drafted by the Bolts, expect him to contribute on special teams as a rookie.

Round 5:

Hugh Thornton G Illinois

In the 2012 draft, San Diego selected Johnnie Troutman from Penn State.  I expect the team to give him every opportunity to start in 2013.  I see Thornton as a value pick if he indeeds falls to the fifth round.  Depth on the offensive line is very crucial, as all Charger fans know very well.

Round 6:

Tyrann Mathieu CB (Formerly of LSU)

Similar to the issues that Alfonzo Dennard had going into the 2012 draft, I am going out on a limb and assuming that Mathieu will get into trouble between now and the draft.  Despite a checkered past, he is a serious ballhawk.  If by chance he can straighten up his act, he is easily worth a flyer this late in the draft.  I actually expect him to be drafted in the mid second to early third round.  But, again, there is probable cause to assume that he might have one more run in with the law that pushes him this deep into the draft.

Round 7:

William Campbell DL Michigan

Campbell is a behemoth of a man at 6’5″ 318 pounds.  He would most likely provide depth at defensive end for the Bolts’ 34. 

UDFA possibilities:

Onterrio McCalebb RB Auburn , Jake Stoneburner TE Ohio St, Cooper Taylor SS Richmond, Dayne Crist QB Kansas, Brandon McManus K/P, Eric Stevens FB Cal, Johnny Adams Cb Michigan State

Well there you have it.  This is the first edition of my mocks prior to the 2013 draft.  There will, of course, be many, many more. 

Stay tuned for my Free agent acquisition possibilities article that will come out tonight as well.

Thanks a lot for reading. 

BoltUp!!!

BoogaP

1. IND – Andrew Luck – QB
2. WAS – Robert Griffin III – QB
3. MIN – Matt Kalil – OT
4. CLE – Trent Richardson – RB
5. TB – Morris Claiborne – CB
6. STL – Justin Blackmon – WR
7. JAX – Quinton Coples – DE
8. MIA – Ryan Tannehill – QB
9. CAR – Fletcher Cox – DT
10.BUF – Stephon Gilmore – CB
11. KC – Luke Kueckly – ILB
12.SEA – Whitney Mercilus – DE
13.ARI – Riley Reiff – OT
14.DAL – Mark Barron – S
15.PHI – Dontari Poe – DT
16.NYJ – Michael Floyd – WR
17.CIN – Dre Kirkpatrick – CB
18. SD – Melvin Ingram – DE/OLB
19.CHI – Michael Brockers – DT
20.TEN - Chandler Jones – DE
21.CIN - David DeCastro – OG
22.CLE - Kendall Wright – WR
23.DET - Janoris Jenkins – CB
24.PIT - Cordy Glenn – OT
25.DEN - Brandon Thompson – DT
26.HOU - Stephen Hill – WR
27. NE - Courtney Upshaw – DE
28. GB - Shea McClellin – OLB
29.BAL - Dont’a Hightower – ILB
30. SF - Kevin Zeitler – OG
31. NE - Harrison Smith – S
32.NYG - Doug Martin – RB