San Diego Chargers Could Hatch Surprise At 3rd Overall Pick
By Erik Lambert
The San Diego Chargers could be set to really throw the 2016 NFL draft into chaos based on what they might do with the #3 pick.
Look through almost every mock draft in exist to this point and the consensus among fans and experts alike is that the Chargers will pick one of two players. Either they will grab Laremy Tunsil, the best left tackle in the draft to protect Philip Rivers, or they take Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey to cover up the loss of star safety Eric Weddle.
Could be tough 4 @chargers to pass on Laremy Tunsil at No 3. NFL coach tells me Tunsil "once every 5 years player" @SiriusXMNFL @NFLonFOX
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) April 26, 2016
Plenty of logic behind both ideas, but it seems there is another people haven’t given enough consideration. Like the fact their defense ranked 27th in the league against the run, allowing 125.3 yards per game. Or the fact they had just 32 sacks, good for 24th. A lot of their problems on defense aren’t in the secondary as much as they are up front. They have no definitive blue chip talent on their line to speak of.
According to Tony Pauline of Walter Football, it would seem the Chargers brass know they can’t ignore that any longer and plan to fix the problem with their 3rd overall pick.
"At any rate, how do teams around the league expect the first eight selections to pan out? After several conversations this afternoon this is the consensus: Los Angeles Rams- Jared GoffPhiladelphia Eagles- Carson WentzSan Diego Chargers- DeForest BucknerDallas Cowboys- Jalen RamseyJacksonville Jaguars- Myles JackBaltimore Ravens- Laremy TunsilSan Francisco 49ers- Ronnie StanleyCleveland Browns- Joey BosaI’m told the Chargers feel they desperately need a defensive lineman, while the 49ers desperately covet DeForest Buckner."
There is no doubt Buckner is at the top of a loaded defensive line class this year, and that’s saying something. His blend of size, length, power and quickness make him an ideal fit for their 3-4 scheme. Stopping the run is a specialty and he showed marked improvement last year as a pass rusher despite playing in a scheme that didn’t foster it much.
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There is no doubt the San Diego Chargers would finally have a presence up front that would force offenses to adjust how they set up their blocking. His demanding extra attention could be a boon for linebackers Melvin Ingram and Jeremiah Attaochu. So in that sense, the pick makes plenty of sense. Whether they can justify passing on the best player in the draft (Ramsey) and the best pass protector (Tunsil) will be a difficult sell for fans.