With the eighteenth pick in the 2011 BGN Mock Draft, Derek17 selects...
Anthony Castonzo - OT, Boston
EDITOR'S NOTE: Since Derek17 still hasn't submitted his pick explanation, I'll attempt to make sense of it.
Last season, the Chargers' offensive line ranked in the middle of the pack, allowing 38 sacks and 68 quarterback hits. An upgrade to their weakest position along the line could easily make this offense progress from good to great. While the rest of their starters will likely be back for 2011, the question mark here is right tackle Jeromey Clary. Clary will be a restricted free agent (if and when there is a free agency) and the Chargers have tendered him at a second-round level.
As far as weak points along the line go, Pro Football Focus rated Clary as their 51st overall offensive tackle in 2011, saying:
The only O-lineman on the Chargers who was worse than him was Brandyn Dombrowski, who had the worst-rated game PFF ever recorded against Seattle.
With that kind of performance out of their starting RT, the Chargers would do well to shore up their offensive line with a solid pick like Anthony Castonzo. As one of the top offensive tackles left in this mock draft, Castonzo has the size (6'8" 319 lbs), athleticism and intelligence necessary to be an immediate upgrade to any offensive line.
Next on the clock will be immynimmy with the New York Giants.
Previous Picks: 1 - Nick Fairley 2 - Patrick Peterson 3 - Blaine Gabbert 4 - Cam Newton 5 - Von Miller 6 - Marcell Dareus 7 - Prince Amukamara 8 - A.J. Green 9 - Da'Quan Bowers 10 - Corey Liuget 11 - Robert Quinn 12 - Julio Jones 13 - Tyron Smith 14 - Jimmy Smith 15 - Mark Ingram 16 - Cameron Jordan 17 - Ryan Kerrigan