Let's face it, the Chargers offensive line is need of some help. Brandyn Dombroski did a great job filling in for Marcus McNeill, however there was a problem on the right side of the offensive line. The Chargers placed a second round restricted free agent tender on right tackle Jeromey Clary.
While Clary had proved to many that he deserved the starting job, his production slipped in creating a problem on the right side of the offensive line. In my last mock draft I had the Chargers using the st overall to select Auburn offensive lineman Lee Ziemba, but after careful consideration I felt that it would be in the best interest of the Chargers to select an offensive lineman a tad earlier. Hairston is massive at 6'6", lbs.
He has quick feet despite his incredibly large frame and is extremely agile for his size. He is very experienced, possesses solid football smarts, and has the potential to become a team leader. Hairston was a three-year starter at left tackle for Clemson and started four bowl games for the Tigers.
Still a fan of the Chargers drafting North Carolina free safety Deunta Williams with this pick and that he would be a good fit in the Chargers secondary. Williams would make a solid nickel back to start, however should he have a strong training camp, he could challenge the incumbent for the starting job.
After drafting Ohio State defensive back Chimdi Chekwa with the 82nd overall selection, I felt the Chargers may need to look to the secondary once more. Chargers defensive back Quentin Jammer will be 32 years old this June, and while he is one of the greatest cornerbacks to have played for the Chargers, he certainly is no spring chicken.
Rucker could give the Chargers time to mold Rucker into a Jammer-like clone. Rucker possesses excellent height 6'1" and arm length to make it as an NFL corner. He is an incredibly physical player who is not afraid to stick a receiver at the line of scrimmage or bring down larger ball carriers. Rucker is aggressive, with loose hips and great balance.
He shows great skills at reading the quarterback and tracking the ball through the air. A major plus is that Rucker has the versatility to play any defensive back position and in most any defensive schemes. There could be a small drawback to drafting to Rucker though.
He was suspended for two games during the season for violating team rules. Chargers' fans know how A. Smith likes players who can keep their noses clean. There is a consensus of mock drafts that show that Evan Royster will still be available when the Chargers are scheduled to use their last draft pick. Royster could fill a void created by the impending departure of Darren Sproles and the possible departure of Mike Tolbert.
Enjoy our content? Matthews can read a quarterback's eyes like a book. He understands where the ball is headed and immediately reacts to the ball in the air to make the tackle, deflection or interception. Matthews can wrap up a runner pretty easily considering how well he pursues the ball. Matthews also has extraordinary speed for a linebacker and reads a play very well. Leonard Hankerson is a beast of an athlete and still had a great season at Miami considering the quarterback situation.
If Vincent Jackson leaves this offseason, this pick certainly will start making a lot of sense. The Chargers are a talented team with a great receiving corps, and Hankerson could certainly help them upgrade. Hankerson is a long-strider with deceptive build-up speed, using his long arms and lateral agility to combat press coverage. After struggling early in his career with drops, Hankerson began improving his hands during the season.
He generally catches the ball with his hands, but previously had allowed the ball to get into his pads and often tried to run before securing the pass.
With a wide wingspan and good leaping ability, Hankerson gives his quarterback quite a target, with the ability to extend and snatch the ball out of the air.
At times, though, he would not fully extend his arms so as to avoid a big hit, but improved in his overall physicality and consistency his senior season. Hankerson has the ability to defeat the initial jam with his hands and good lateral agility. He has enough speed to force cornerbacks to respect the deep ball, but struggles to sink his hips and create explosion out of his cuts due to moderate foot quickness and balance.
Hankerson has enough straight-line speed to run away from defenders when he is hit in stride, but doesn't possess the quick feet and balance to elude in tight quarters. Although, he did show better toughness, vision and determination running after the catch as a senior.
Providing a good initial pop to the defender, Hankerson still lacks latching on with consistent intensity. He will look to help his teammates with a down-field block and could improve in this area with more effort.
Darren Sproles is set to leave as a free agent, and the Chargers need a running back and kick returner. Jacquizz Rodgers certainly fits that role and would come cheaper than Sproles.
With similar speed to Sproles, Rodgers also has better change of direction. He is capable of returning kicks like Sproles, so he could definitely excel on special teams. As mentioned above, Rodgers has better change of direction than Sproles, knowing that Sproles attempts to juke more than Rodgers. Jacques Cesaire is a free agent, and Luis Castillo isn't doing much on the line, so Sam Acho should help the Chargers generate more pressure from the defensive line. Acho is a hustle pass rusher who needs work to excel at the next level.
He has good thrust upfield after the snap, but lacks flexibility to get under a tackle's pads to turn the corner. Chekwa, would make a solid addition to the Chargers' secondary and could become the heir apparent to Quentin Jammer or even challenge Antoine Cason for his starting job. However, another defensive back has jumped onto my radar. Michigan State cornerback Chris L. Rucker has been making an appearance on some consensus mock drafts online. It will be interesting to see how things play out as we approach draft day.
After taking a step back and re-evaluating my selections in my previous mock draft, I decided to remove Southern California tight end Jordan Cameron and elevate North Carolina free safety Deunta Williams.
I believe Williams would make a great addition to the Chargers secondary, and hope the Chargers will take a look at him should he still be on the board when the Bolts are scheduled to select in the sixth round. I originally had the Chargers selecting North Carolina free safety Deunta Williams with this pick, however after much deliberation I moved Williams up 18 spots to the rd overall selection and decided to insert Auburn offensive lineman Lee Ziemba at the st overall pick.
Ziemba, a four-year starter at Auburn, had a dominant performance playing right tackle at the Senior Bowl. He kept the North's defensive linemen on the heels during running plays and made sure the North's quarterbacks had time to get their passes off. He is a huge run blocker who can quickly get off the snap and clear defenders out of the way. Ziemba has an incredibly large frame with long arms and strong hands. He finishes blocks with just a dash of attitude and can hold well against the defenses rush.
With the return of running back Darren Sproles highly unlikely and Mike Tolbert being tendered as a restricted free agent, the Chargers are going to be looking for a back-up to Ryan Mathews. Royster, who was a three-year starter is a well-built running back who is at his best when running inside.
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