NFL Draft 2013: San Diego Charger Select D.J. Fluker No. 11 Overall
By Josh Hill
The San Diego Chargers couldn’t have been more heartbroken over how the top of the draft shaped up. They wanted to draft Lane Johnson really bad but they started to come around to the reality that he wouldn’t fall to them at No. 11 overall. So new head coach Mike McCoy needed to adjust his strategy or at least look at his problem from a new solution.
That solution is Alabama tackle D.J. Fluker.
The Alabama product shot up draft boards late in April and went from being a mid first-round pick to a guy who many thought wouldn’t fall past the Chargers at 11th overall. Turns out that exactly what happened as once the Chargers went on the clock after the run of tackles and guards, they knew they needed to take Fluker.
Fluker’s selection came a pick after the Tennessee Titans drafted Fluker’s line-mate Chance Warmack with the 10th overall pick.
It was really a no-brainer selection for the Chargers who need to protect Philip Rivers in this crucial first season for McCoy. Some may call it a reach, but Fluker’s body of work speaks for itself and you have to applaud the football gods for blessing offensive lineman the way they have so far this year with six lineman going in the first 11 picks.
The NFL Draft is just getting started, so be sure to stay tuned to FanSided all weekend long to get the most up to date info on everything that happens at Radio City Music Hall.