2010 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: Pick 40

The second round of the 2010 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft rolls along. We're having each SB Nation blogger make selections for their respective teams. Wonko, lead blogger at SB Nation's San Diego Chargers blog, Bolts from the Blue, checks in to make the No. 40 overall selection in this year's mock. Take it away, sir!

Wonko says: Cam Thomas is the guy that I hoped would be there when the Chargers picked again. With Dan Williams and Terrence Cody both taken in the first round, pretty much the only player left that could plug the Chargers' hole in the middle of the defensive line is Thomas. The Tar Heel probably doesn't have the upside that Williams or Cody have, and his pass rushing ability isn't great, but the Chargers need a guy who can hold the line against double teams to help stop the opposing team's running game, and Thomas can do that.

There was probably better value at other positions where the Chargers have some needs - like wide receiver (Arrelious Benn), offensive tackle (Bruce Campbell) and cornerback (Kareem Jackson) - but getting a nose tackle has a lot of value to the Chargers, so a slight reach is justifiable. On top of that, Thomas is the last of the nose tackles in this draft that I view as capable of making an impact and starting in 2010, and there was no way he'd make it to the Chargers' next pick.

Mocking Dan reacts: After running back, nose tackle is San Diego's biggest need. It's not a glamor pick, but to fill a need this important to a 3-4 defense is a must. It can be argued if Thomas is better than Terrell Troup or Linval Joseph, but there's nothing wrong with a playoff team reaching to fill one of its bigger holes.