It’s draft time! We’ve had our experts tell you who will be drafted where, but now it’s time for you to throw on your GM cap and decide for yourself. Each day we will present an argument for each player and why the respective team should pick him. Then, it’s up to you. You make the pick. The next day, we will compile the results and you can see who is off the board. Disagree with all of the options? Be sure to write in your pick below in the comments section. OK, let’s get into it. The San Diego Chargers are on the clock.
The Chargers exceeded all expectations in Mike McCoy’s first season as head coach.
With a playoff berth in the rear-view mirror, the Chargers must find a way to build a team that can sustain success over the course of a season. That begins with putting together a roster with depth.
Before that, general manager Tom Telesco has some holes to fill, most notably on the defensive side of the ball. Running the 3-4 defense has been a San Diego staple for the last decade. To run that scheme effectively they must have a dependable nose tackle to anchor the unit. Currently the team has Sean Lissemore slated to play that role. They are also razor thin at the cornerback positon as Shareece Wright and Richard Marshall are the only players with an abundant amount of experience. It’s a glaring weakness and should be addressed in the draft. So, who will the Chargers select No. 25 overall?
1. Houston Texans select South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney
2. St. Louis Rams select Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins
3. Jacksonville Jaguars select Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles
4. Cleveland Browns select Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel
5. Oakland Raiders select Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack
6. Atlanta Falcons select Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans
8. Minnesota Vikings select Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr
9. Buffalo Bills select Texas A&M offensive tackle Jake Matthews
10. Detroit Lions select UCLA outside linebacker Anthony Barr
11. Tennessee Titans select Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater
12. New York Giants select Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald
13. St. Louis Rams select Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan
14. Chicago Bears select Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
15. Pittsburgh Steelers select Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert
16. Dallas Cowboys select Auburn defensive end Dee Ford
17. Baltimore Ravens select Notre Dame offensive tackle Zack Martin
18. New York Jets select North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron
19. Miami Dolphins select Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks
20. Arizona Cardinals select Alabama offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio
21. Green Bay Packers select Alabama linebacker CJ Mosley
22. Philadelphia Eagles select Louisville safety Calvin Pryor
23. Kansas City Chiefs select LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
24. Cincinnati Bengals select Michigan State CB Darqueze Dennard
Virginia Tech CB Kyle Fuller
Fuller has been a bit of a late riser, but talent evaluators were well aware of his skillset. The Virginia Tech product has a nice blend of size, balance and anticipates opposing receiver’s routes well.
TCU CB Jason Verrett
At 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, Verrett might be the most polished cover cornerback in the draft. Some critics have pointed out that his size is a significant disadvantage, but Verrett isn’t concerned as he had success against big receivers in the Big 12.
USC WR Marqise Lee
While the Chargers don’t have a need at the wide receiver position, pairing Lee with 2013 Rookie of the Year Keenan Allen would be a dynamic 1-2 punch in McCoy’s high-flying offense. Lee is a Biletnikoff Award winner (2012), and is one of the most explosive players in this draft. Despite a junior season hampered by injuries, Lee is a shifty receiver who can navigate through a defense and find open running lanes. While he didn’t show off immense straight-line speed in the 40-yard dash, Lee is known for his short-area quickness and lateral agility.
Notre Dame DT Louis Nix
If the Chargers draft Nix, they’d have a very stout defensive line adding him among other high-round picks Kendall Reyes and Corey Liuget. Even though Nix is 6-foot-2, 331 pounds, he’s a natural athlete as he played basketball in high school. His blend of size and quickness gives him a significant advantage over opposing centers and guards.
Minnesota DT Ra’Shede Hageman
Hageman would be another option for San Diego as a nose tackle. The 6-foot-6, 310-pound mauler is long and could be a centerpiece for the San Diego defense to build around.
