Opinions still being altered as NFL draft gets closer

Although it may be hard to believe, the NFL draft is 19 days away, and there's still plenty of uncertainty. The level of ambiguity most likely won't decrease before the draft begins, and there will likely be many stunning selections made during it.

Still, as fans we'll continue to gather as much information as possible so we can have a better idea of what's going to occur this April 26-28. As evidenced with a piece written by Sports Illustrated's Tony Pauline, there are still prospects raising their stocks, while others are falling down draft boards. Below, in bold, is a portion of Pauline's article that provides details on some prospects who may be of significant interest to the San Diego Chargers.

Bobby Massie, OT, Mississippi -- Massie's performance at the combine was adequate, but his pro day workout could push him into the first round. The big tackle awed onlookers in position drills, and teams now believe he's a lot more NFL-ready than originally thought.

Vinny Curry, DE-OLB, Marshall -- Curry's combine workout was disappointing and bordered on awful. To his credit, he looked like a different athlete at the Marshall pro day. His 40 time of 4.67 was a full .2 seconds better than his mark from Indianapolis and he bettered his vertical jump by 3 ½ inches. He's considered a terrific pass rusher and a good athlete. The combination could push Curry into the first round.

Tim Fugger, DE-OLB, Vanderbilt -- Fugger ranked in the top 10 in the SEC last year in sacks (8) and tackles for loss (13.5). He complimented his natural pass-rushing skills by turning in a complete pro day workout. He was fast (a 4.56 40), strong (29 reps on the bench) and explosive (34-inch vertical jump). He then looked terrific after being put through a battery of linebacker and defensive end drills. Fugger has positioned himself to be selected somewhere in the middle of the draft's final day.

Ernest Owusu, DL, California -- The 275-pound lineman had a tough time in Cal's 3-4 alignment the past two years, but showed during his pro day that he offers a huge upside when playing in the proper system. Owusu posted gaudy marks during the workout, completing 39 reps on the bench and running as fast as 4.72 in the 40. His 6-foot-4 frame offers room for growth, and teams are now considering Owusu in the final frames of the draft.

Josh Bush, DB, Wake Forest -- The versatile defensive back, who has lined up at both cornerback and safety, picked off six passes last season and totaled 59 tackles, but was not invited to any of the major postseason scouting events. Measuring a shade under 6-feet and 208 pounds, Bush posted times as fast as 4.49 in the 40. His play on the field and performance during his pro day will secure a spot for him in the draft's last day.

DJ Campbell, S, California -- Campbell took a back seat to his highly touted teammate Sean Cattouse, but outperformed the combine invitee during Cal's pro day. In terrible conditions, Campbell ran 4.5 in the 40 after positing a 38-inch vertical jump. He was not considered worthy of an invitation to mini-camp by scouts before the season began, but his pro day workout likely sealed a spot for him in the final round.

Massie is the player I've been pushing for the Chargers to select in the second round. He's the offensive tackle prospect I feel would best fit in as Jeromey Clary's replacement. Now there appears to be very little chance Massie will make it all the way down to the 49th overall pick. As long as San Diego general manager A.J. Smith doesn't offer a 2013 first-round pick, I think it would be worth it to move up to get Massie if he is still available after the 35th overall selection.

Curry, on the other hand, is a pass-rusher I believe will go late in the first round or early in the second. So, Smith could probably trade back, acquire an extra second-round pick, and still get Curry. That would be nice, as long as Stanford offensive guard David DeCastro isn't sitting there at San Diego's 18th overall selection in the first round. DeCastro appears to be the type of offensive guard who can make an immediate impact and develop into a legitimate perennial Pro Bowler. As far as I'm concerned USC defensive end Nick Perry is the best pass-rushing prospect to fit into the Chargers' 3-4 defense, but Curry is comparable to Illinois' Whitney Mercilus and Clemson's Andre Branch, both of whom have been picked by San Diego in more than a few mock drafts.

The rest of the risers Pauline listed are intriguing prospects the Chargers should consider in the late-rounds.