What Do the Chargers Do Now?

Since the Chargers at least feel like they got their pass rusher in Melvin Ingram at 18th overall last night, we now have to wonder what route the Chargers are going to take. Will it be a guard to compete for the LG spot, another pass rusher, or someone for the secondary? It is possible that a player like Amaini Silatolu or Zach Brown may fall to them or they may trade. At any rate, tune in tonight for the second and third rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft. A.J. and company should at least make it interesting.

The First 10 Picks of the 2012 NFL Draft

Talk about an interesting first several picks in the 2012 NFL Draft. With the first two picks being locked, it seemed things were going to be a little lacking in the excitement department. All in all, 4 of the first 5 picks were traded. Here is the recap.

Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III went 1-2 and surprised nobody. About half an hour before the draft started, the Vikings traded the 3rd pick to the Browns, who selected Alabama do it all back Trent Richardson. Minnesota selected Kalil at 4 and Jacksonville moved up to 5th and finally got a receiver in Justin Blackmon. Dallas moved up from 14th by trading with the Rams and got LSU standout Morris Claiborne. Tampa Bay ended up with Mark Barron from Alabama and, in a move that shocked nobody, the Dolphins selected Ryan Tannehill.  Rounding out the top 10 were the Panthers, who selected Luke Kuechly, and the Bills, who added Stephon Gilmore of South Carolina.

Biggest Surprises: St. Louis traded down yet again and the Cowboys paid a big price to move up. St. Louis gave the Cowboys the 6th pick while gaining the 14th overall pick and the 45th pick (2nd).

Riskiest Pick: This is easily the Dolphins. Tannehill is a quarterback with a ton of question marks. It will be interesting to see how he does in Miami.

Take it to the Bank: Both the Colts and the Redskins got their quarterbacks. Both of these guys are going to be great to watch and should make an immediate impact on two terrible teams. The same can be said for the Panthers and Kuechly. Kuechly will be a productive and intelligent player for the Panthers who will be a tackling machine.

Charger Madness Big Board: Top 10 Prospects

With the draft set to begin in just over two hours, here is the Charger Madness Top 10 Prospects Big Board.

1) Andrew Luck
2) Robert Griffin III
3) Morris Claiborne
4) Justin Blackmon
5) Trent Richardson
6) Matt Kalil
7) Mark Barron
8) Fletcher Cox
9) Luke Kuechly
10) Riley Reiff

How Will the 2012 Charger Madness NFL Mock Draft Hold Up?

With the draft just two days away, I thought it might be good to see how my draft holds up against both the actual draft and a few other drafts. Following the draft, I will post the results and we will see just how I stacked up. If you have a draft you would like to submit, just send me and email and we can see about getting it on the site.

Charger Madness 2012 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 17-32

17) Cincinnati Bengals- Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick will bring some much needed help to the secondary. I know that the team signed Terence Newman, but they only signed him to a one year deal. Kirkpatrick is the best corner after Claiborne. This is a team that surprised last year and now needs to add a few pieces to ensure that they remain competitive.

18) San Diego Chargers- Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State

McClellin has skyrocketed up draft boards and could very well be the kind of pass rusher the Chargers need. I know that Mark Barron is still on the board, but pass rush is a much more critical need for the Chargers. I had Cordy Glenn being selected here before, but I think pass rush is the biggest issue the team faces. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Chargers trade down a few picks to take McClellin.


19) Chicago Bears- Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

I know that the Bears added Brandon Marshall, but they could still use some help at receiver. Wright would be a good receiver to bring into the Bears organization. He is a quick receiver (40 time at the combine not withstanding) who can be a great player for the Bears who can stretch the field and work underneath.

Chargers Mock Draft 2.0 Picks 1-16

1) Indianapolis Colts- Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Same as last time. The Colts are going to get their replacement to Peyton Manning. Luck has everything that a team could want in a franchise quarterback. It almost seems unfair that the Colts get the chance to draft two franchise quarterbacks back to back.

2) Washington Redskins- Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Remember what we said about Andrew Luck? Pretty much the same things applies Robert Griffin III. He brings great athleticism to the position and can make all the throws needed in the NFL. Washington fans are finally getting a franchise quarterback after waiting for so many years.

3) Minnesota Vikings- Matt Kalil, T, USC

The Vikings picked Christian Ponder last year, and now they have to build around him. They have decent  receivers and a great running game, so the biggest issue is keeping Ponder upright. Kalil is a dominate tackle who should be a cornerstone for the Vikings for years to come.

Charger Madness Mock Draft 1.0 Picks 1-10

The 2012 NFL Draft is just over a month away. Today starts part 1 of the  Charger Madness Mock Draft 1.0. We begin with picks 1-10.


1) Indianapolis Colts- Andrew Luck (QB, Stanford)

The Colts have been a lock to pick Stanford QB Andrew Luck for months. While the team will give due diligence to Robert Griffin III and scout him, but Luck is the man here. Indy will begin a new era this season, and what better way to replace Manning than with the best quarterback prospect since, well, Manning. Luck can make all the throws and looked great throughout his college career and at his pro day. It almost seems unfair that a team can get to draft franchise quarterbacks back to back like this.

Other Possibilities: Robert Griffin III


2) Washington Redskins (from St. Louis)-  Robert Griffin III (QB, Baylor)

The Redskins sold the farm to move up to the 2nd spot in order to land their quarterback of the future. Griffin has elite athleticism and can make all the throws. The differences in Luck and Griffin are mainly just style of play. Both are talented. Griffin seems to be a great fit for the Redskins and the West Coast offense. He possesses great character and can be a leader in the locker room for years to come.   Either way, the Redskins will get a great quarterback.

Other possibilities: Andrew Luck