The Pewter Plank
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2016 NFL Mock Draft 9.0: Last Call

By David Harrison

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 15th overall pick to the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 15th overall pick to the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 2, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) walks onto the field at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) walks onto the field at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

Oregon. DeForest Buckner. 3. player. 13. . DE

The San Diego Chargers may be the biggest indirect winner of the two trades which have largely impacted the draft this year.  Due to the moves made and the needs of the teams ahead of them, the Chargers are now in position to take the number one rated player on their board.

In 2015, San Diego fielded an offense capable of putting up points and getting the team in position to win games. However, their defense ranked 12th worst in the league by sacrificing 398 points on the season.  Compare them to the AFC West Champion Denver Broncos who gave up 102 points fewer than San Diego, and it’s clear there’s a lot of room to grow their defense.

DeForest Buckner may surprise some as players like Jalen Ramsey, Laremy Tunsil and Myles Jack have dominated the top end of the draft boards for months, but for San Diego, a pass rush is an absolute must and the chance to take the top defensive lineman for their system can’t be passed up.

Drafting Buckner helps the team begin to fix a defense which was one of only six to give up over 2,000 yards rushing and an AFC worst 17 rushing touchdowns.

 

Previously:  Laremy Tunsil – OT – Ole Miss

Next: 4. Dallas Cowboys

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