NFL Mock Draft, Pick 40: Chargers Select Cam Thomas, DT North Carolina

The 40th pick is in and SB Nation’s Chargers community, Bolts From The Blue, has selected...

North Carolina DT Cam Thomas

From Bolts From The Blue:

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.

From Mocking The Draft:

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.

I like this pick a lot. This is really a pretty good value for a player who could become a nose tackle. Like MTD said, the Chargers filled their biggest need (RB) in the first round and now they fill the second biggest need after the departure of Jamal Williams over the offseason.

Read the full write-up at Mocking the Draft.