The 2010 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft rolls on, with each SB Nation blogger making selections for their respective teams. John Gennaro, lead blogger at SB Nation's San Diego Chargers blog, Bolts from the Blue, checks in to make the No. 28 overall selection in this year's mock with analysis from Wonko. Take it away, gentlemen!
2010 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: Round 1, Pick 28
With the No. 28 overall pick in the 2010 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, the San Diego Chargers have selected Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State.
Wonko says: With Terrence Cody and Dan Williams off the board, the pick seems easy with Mathews still available. While the big RB may fit best in a zone scheme, he should be able to adapt to the Chargers offense. He'll help move the chains with his devastating stiff arm and good speed. The Chargers do look for the RBs to help out in their passing, and while Mathews didn't do much of that in college, the scouts say that his receiving skills are good. The Chargers may have to work with him on his upright running style, but he's not expected to be a workhorse, and the ball probably will be in Philip Rivers' hand in key situations, so hopefully fumbles won't be a big issue. He does come with injury concerns, and the Chargers will either need to draft a backup in later rounds or hold onto Darren Sproles for one more year.
There are a number of directions the Chargers could go with this pick that could either upgrade the team now or prepare for impending departures. Earl Thomas and Kyle Wilson could bolster the secondary, which is weak at safety and getting old at one CB spot and unproven at the other, but both are gone in this mock. Shawne Merriman is likely to be on his last year, but Jason Pierre-Paul, Derrick Morgan, Sergio Kindle and Brandon Graham have all been picked. The RT spot could be upgraded as well, as neither Brandon Dombrowski and Jeromey Clary are necessarily the RT of the future, but Charles Brown and Bruce Campbell might take some time to develop into solid starters, whereas Mathews can step in right away. WR and ILB are also spots with impending departures after the 2010 season, but there just aren't guys available that I can see becoming top players at those positions. The 40th pick acquired in the Charlie Whitehurst deal will help deal with those issues after using this first pick to address the departure of LaDainian Tomlinson.
Mocking Dan reacts: After getting rid of LaDanian Tomlinson, the need for a running back is immense. Sproles is a real talent, but can’t handle a full load. Mathews could start his career playing alongside Sproles before eventually becoming the team’s lead runner. Great pick.
Mocking the Draft’s Top 5 remaining prospects: 1 - Everson Griffen/DE/USC, 2 - Charles Brown/OT/USC, 3 - Golden Tate/WR/Notre Dame, 4 - Bruce Campbell/OT/Maryland, 5 - Jonathan Dwyer/RB/Georgia Tech
Sound off, SB Nation! What say you of San Diego’s selection of running back Ryan Mathews? Please be sure to check out Bolts from the Blue for all of your Chargers needs.
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