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+