Chargers 2013 Round 1 Draft Cluster
By Ernie Padaon
Jan 4, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas A
Here are the cluster of players that I would love the Chargers to consider in the first round of the draft.
With all the draft talk in the last few weeks, I have gotten hot and cold with a bunch of players, but here is the group of guys (for today at least) that I would like the Chargers to select from in the first round of the draft.
Any of the Tackles (Luke Joeckel, Eric Fisher, Lane Johnson)We all know how bad that left tackle spot was last season. Mike Harris was TERRIBLE on the island out there and another season with him out there would get Philip Rivers killed.
As bad as Philly fans thing King Dunlap was, he already is an upgrade to what we had.
The new coaching staff must see the need of upgrading the line, but I am sure that they would actually adjust to having a bad line and wouldn’t force 7 step drops all game long.
Either way, having security to Philip’s blind side would give him a little more comfort and we would HOPE to see better decision making from him.
Tavon AustinPLAYMAKER! I understand the size issue and I understand we have receivers on the roster already, but do we have playmakers like Tavon Austin on the roster?
When he touches the ball, he is a threat to score. He is a homerun hitter in an offense that has a bunch of guys that don’t do much after catching the ball. He is a mismatch nightmare.
Adding Danario Alexander to the offense made Philip so much better last season. A player like Tavon Austin can only help him further.
WE NEED WEAPONS FOR PHILIP! Best weapon available in the draft right there.
Kenny VaccaroJust thinking of a tandem like Vaccaro and Eric Weddle in the secondary makes me smile. One of the skills that Vaccaro could add to the defense is his ability to cover the slot receiver. He would be huge in the nickel defense and could help cover Wes Welker in the division.
Vaccaro is quick to the football and is a playmaker on the defensive side of the football. A tandem of Vaccaro and Weddle would/could be one of the best in the league.
Star LotuleleiIf the tackles and Tavon are gone, then you have to start looking toward the defensive side of the football. In a 3-4 defense, the nose tackle is the key to the whole defense. Lotulelei has been projected as the top pick before and there are also mocks that have him dropping down to 11.
If he is available, he could be the beast in the middle for years to come and can command double teams. He also can add a good pass rush up the middle and force the quarterback to get the football out of his hands. He is super quick off of the ball and would immediately help on the defensive front.
Alec OgletreeSo much speed and athleticism in the middle of the defense. Ogletree is quick to the football and can cover tight ends with his athletic ability. Imagine the middle being patrolled by Ogletree and Donal Butler.
I dont have any of the top guards in the cluster of players I would like to see drafted on Thursday. Either Jonathan Cooper and Chance Warmack are safe selections, but the depth at guard in this draft is deep and we can find another top guard in the later rounds. I would rather pick up a playmaker in the first round and fix that guard spot later.
Who do you have in your first round draft cluster?