2018 NFL Mock Draft: Browns land Baker Mayfield

RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 04: North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive end Bradley Chubb (9) enters the field before the game between the Clemson Tigers and the NC State Wolfpack on November 04, 2017 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 02: Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Billy Price (54) walks off the field during the Big 10 Championship game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Ohio State Buckeyes on December 2, 2017, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

17. player. 13. . C. Ohio State. Billy Price

The NFL seems to value interior offensive lineman more and more in recent years and one player who could continue to benefit from such a trend is Ohio State’s Billy Price, landing with the Los Angeles Chargers with the 17th-overall pick.

Price was a four-year starter at center and guard for an Ohio State program that has become an NFL offensive line factory in recent years. At 6-foot-4 and 312 pounds, Price has the ideal frame suited to play on the interior and has some of the best athleticism at the position in this class. Aside from Quenton Nelson, Price may have the best shot of any offensive lineman at being a plug-and-play starter from day one of his NFL career.

The Chargers will look forward to the return of last year’s second-round pick Forrest Lamp from injury, as well as tackle Russell Okung and guard Dan Feeney. The club could use an upgrade at center, and adding Price to the fold would immediately give them some cohesiveness for the unit. More consistency up front will work wonders for taking the pressure off of Philip Rivers and opening up more lanes in the running game for Melvin Gordon.

If all goes according to plan on the offensive line, the Chargers will be more than capable of making a playoff run out of the AFC West in 2018.

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