Draft Take: Kendall Reyes, DE Connecticut 

Summary: With the 49th overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Chargers selected Kendall Reyes, Defensive Tackle from Connecticut. Projected by some as a late-1st round pick, he was definitely not a reach for the Chargers in the middle of the second round.

Take: While he did not impress scouts as a pass-rusher in his college career, a dominate performance in the Senior Bowl against some of the best offensive linemen in the country, changed the opinion of some scouts. He is 6'4 and weighs 299, and ran a 4.82 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He is a hybrid pass-rusher and run-stopper. Not heavy enough to be a pure run stopper, nor a pure pass rusher, he could be a solid mix between the two. He has the quickness to be a pass-rusher at the next level, and if he uses his size, he could be very effective. Teammates and coaches alike have commented on his excellent character and work ethic, and so lack of effort should never be a problem. He is a very coachable player, and with his work ethic and quickness, he could find himself becoming a very productive pass rusher in the NFL. While he won't immediately start for the Chargers, he will get plenty of playing time in the Chargers front 3 as he will rotate with Jacques Cesaire, Vaughn Martin, Luis Castillo, and Corey Liuget.


Draft Grade: A-

Draft Take: Melvin Ingram, DE South Carolina

Summary: With the 18th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers selected Melvin Ingram, Defensive End from the University of South Carolina. Projected a Top 10 pick, the Chargers thought they had no chance of getting Ingram, but after the Seahawks surprisingly choose Linebacker Bruce Irvin from West Virginia, Ingram was available when the Chargers pick came, and they were definitely not going to let him slip.

Take: Ingram was extremely impressive during the NFL Combine and during team workouts, and the Chargers loved his explosiveness. While he does not have a true position in the Chargers 3-4, he will play Outside Linebacker and he has a chance to be an impact player. With the disappointment of Larry English and the lack of depth at OLB, he has a chance to immediately come in and secure solid playing time. Don't expect him to be the next Shawne Merriman right out of the gates, but he has a chance to eventually get to that level. Ingram was also mentored during the NFL Combine by 2011 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Von Miller, and he will get plenty of opportunity in 2012 to live up to his mentor.

Draft Grade: A+

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TheMrBoltz

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