2014 NFL Mock Draft: Chargers Select DT Louis Nix III

Sep 8, 2012; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish nose guard Louis Nix (9) attempts to tackle Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Raheem Mostert (8) as Purdue center Rick Schmeig (76) defends in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

I posted my first ever mock draft earlier today on NFL Spin Zone. Check out the entire mock here. Louis Nix’s knee injury is becoming more of a concern as the season draws to a close. Nix missed Notre Dame’s final two games of the season and will miss their bowl game. For that reason, he is quickly sliding down draft boards and now finds himself reuniting with Manti Te’o on the Chargers defense. If Nix falls to the Chargers at #19, he should definitely be our guy. Unless TT has some trick up his sleeve and knows he can snag Nix early in the 2nd. Check out what I said over on NFL Spin Zone about the pick:

19. San Diego Chargers: NT Louis Nix III, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Nix’s knee surgery is already a concern for most teams. The Chargers have had a huge hole in the middle ever since Jamal Williams left a few years ago. Cam Thomas is a backup at best and adding Nix would turn turn the defensive line into one of the best in the NFL with Kendall Reyes and Corey Liuget. Having that inside presence will also make things easier for the outside rushers and secondary. The Chargers could also look to draft a CB here, and they will surely draft on the defensive side.

As I said, adding Nix to a defensive line that already featured Kendall Reyes and Corey Liuget would be deadly. The pressure Nix would create through the middle would wreak havoc on opposing o-lines and make life easier for the rest of the defense. Nix is only having surgery to repair a torn meniscus, so the surgery is not as intrusive as an ACL or MCL. Professional athletes have recovered from meniscus surgery in less that 2 weeks. Some take longer, but Nix should be available for workouts and the combine.

Nix is a massive NT prospect. Nix gets off the line quickly and gets offensive lineman on their heels. He basically looks like the DJ Fluker of the defensive line. As with most nose tacklers, his stats don’t really reflect his importance on the pass rush. Nix can handle almost any collegiate offensive lineman 1-on-1, so he gets double teamed on pretty much every play. check out some of his game tape from the Michigan game this year:

What do you guys think of this pick? Would you be happy with NT Louis Nix III at #19?