San Diego Chargers 2013 Four-Round NFL Mock Draft

Dec 29, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Tavon Austin (1) runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Syracuse Orange at the 2012 New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

1. First Round, 11th overall: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

It’s almost a foregone conclusion that the top five offensive linemen will be off the board at this point, which is a pretty incredible fact in and of itself. Eric Fisher, Luke Joeckel, Lane Johnson, Chance Warmack, and Jonathan Cooper could very easily all be gone by the time the Chargers are on the clock. So, unless they trade up, I think I have the best alternate option to an offensive lineman, or maybe even the best option even if a guy like Warmack or Cooper is available. The Chargers’ WR situation is nothing to brag about, especially after losing Vincent Jackson and seeing him do great down in Tampa Bay. The Chargers tried signing Eddie Royal and Robert Meachem, but both were huge free agent busts. With the 11th pick, they could go a variety of directions but getting more playmakers for an offense in need is not a bad idea at all. Tavon Austin is our top ranked receiver, and though he comes in a small package, he packs a huge punch. I think he is a better version of Percy Harvin.

2. Second Round, 45th overall: Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas Pine-Bluff

There’s no question the Chargers have to upgrade their offensive line. They signed a few guys this offseason like King Dunlap, but there is absolutely no question the OL was a huge weakness of this team last year and it’s going to take some high draft picks to improve it. The Chargers will more than likely miss out on the top OTs like Menelik Watson and D.J. Fluker after the first wave of OTs, but Armstead has as much if not more potential than any OT not being picked in the top 10. He is very raw, but they can start him off on the right side of the line and kick him to left tackle as he develops.

3. Third Round, 76th overall: Sio Moore, DE/OLB, UConn

The Chargers need some pass rushers, especially with the slow development of Larry English and the departure of Shaun Phillips. Sio Moore is a freakishly athletic OLB prospect who is a bit undersized, but he can make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He was one of the top defenders in the Big East last year, and proved that he can get to the QB from the OLB position. I think with Jarret Johnson being somewhat of a bust in free agency so far, the Chargers need to look to someone who can complement last year’s first round pick Melvin Ingram.

4. Fourth Round, 110th overall: Leon McFadden, CB, San Diego State

The Chargers go with a local product here in McFadden, who will help ease the pain of losing both of last year’s starters at CB in Antoine Cason and Quintin Jammer. McFadden is a guy who is hard to figure out his stock exactly right now, but some have opined he could go as high as the second round. He has overall really solid size, speed, and athletic ability, and his production as a senior was right up there with some of the top corners in this class. I think this would be a very solid pick for depth given the Chargers’ youth at the CB position.