Chargers Mock Draft: Todd McShay is Way Off

I don't usually criticize mock drafts because they're really hard to do. It's one thing for me to be an expert on the San Diego Chargers, it's a whole other thing to be an expert on every draft-eligible player. Not to mention, the people doing the mock drafts have to know enough about NFL teams to figure out their present and future needs.

I'm not going to put Todd McShay's entire mock draft out there, because you need to be an insider to see it, but I need to point out just how wrong he is on the Chargers' first round selection. Actually, there's a few selections in one because McShay did three different "scenarios" for each team. In terms of the Chargers, all three of his scenarios are absurd.

Scenario 1: With the 11th Overall Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, Todd McShay has the Chargers selecting Jonathan Cooper. Cooper is widely regarded as one of the two best Offensive Guards in the draft.

Scenario 1: The absolute best-case scenario for the Chargers -- who can't really afford to trade up -- is to see Johnson fall to this spot. However, should they put together a package, this pick could be part of an offer that gets them up to No. 6.

Teams that have holes at Strong Safety, Cornerback, Inside Linebacker, Outside Linebacker, Nose Tackle, Offensive Guard and Offensive Tackle to the point where they're not sure who is starting at any of those positions in 2013 don't typically package picks together to move up 5 spots in the first round. McShay knows this well enough to say that the team can't afford to do so, and then uses the next sentence to say that they could do exactly that.

Todd also uses none of the allotted space to explain or defend his selection of Jonathan Cooper

It gets worse.

Scenario 2: With the 11th Overall Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, Todd McShay has the Chargers selecting Chance Warmack. Warmack is widely regarded as one of the two best Offensive Guards in the draft.

Scenario 2: Warmack would be a better fit for the Chargers' power run game. However, Cooper is an exceptional talent who would add some bulk and a desperately needed upgrade to an offensive line that didn't find long-term answers in free agency.

So, apparently, the Chargers will be drafting the 2nd best Guard in the draft unless the 1st best Guard in the draft falls to them with the #11 pick. These are the same Chargers that signed two Guards in free agency that have started for the San Diego Offensive Line Coach and Offensive Coordinator, and also the same Chargers that drafted Johnnie Troutman (a Guard) in the 2012 NFL Draft knowing full well that he would not be able to play in 2012. Yes, the cupboard is completely bare of Guard prospects down at Chargers Park. Everyone panic! Draft as many Guards as you can!

Don't even get me started on the fact that he said Warmack would be "a better fit for the Chargers' power run game." Seriously. Please. Don't.

Scenario 3: With the 11th Overall Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, Todd McShay has the Chargers selecting Star Lotulelei. Lotulelei is widely regarded as one of the two best Defensive Tackles in the draft.

Scenario 3: Should Lotulelei fall down the board because of lingering medical concerns, his skill set could make him a fit at nose tackle between DEs Kendall Reyes and Corey Liuget.

FINALLY.

Now, let's move on to the "stats and info" section that explains why the San Diego Chargers need to improve in 2013.

Stats and Info: The Chargers were one of two teams to average fewer than 2.0 yards before contact per rush last year (Steelers). On rushes between the left guard and left tackle (where Warmack played), Alabama averaged 4.2 yards before first contact and gained at least 10 yards once every 5.5 rushes.

Yeah, that's relevant. I'm sure Warmack is going to reproduce those numbers against much better competition with King Dunlap next to him.

You know, I saw a Guard totally dominating the line at a high school football game a few months ago....I bet he would be a great improvement over whoever was the Left Guard for the Chargers in 2012.