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| Taylor Lewan |
After how poorly the San Diego Chargers’ offensive line played during the team’s six-game losing streak last season, it’s never been more obvious that the blockers up front are vital to an offense’s success. Quarterback Philip Rivers took quite a beating during that period, particularly at home against the hated Oakland Raiders last November, and that’s just something which can’t occur again.
Although the hope is Jared Gaither will keep his act together as the Chargers’ left tackle for the next few years, it’s tough to be fully confident that will occur, given his history—and his recent issues with back spasms. Then there’s Jeromey Clary, perhaps the worst right tackle in the entire NFL.
So, since there’s a certain amount of doubt at each offensive tackle position, it would be wise for San Diego general manager A.J. Smith to take a serious look at each of these prospects this fall:
1. Michigan left tackle Taylor Lewan: He’s a fourth-year junior many are projecting as a future first-round pick. Possessing quite a mean streak at 6-8, 302 pounds, he’s expected to become one of the greatest offensive linemen to wear a Wolverines uniform. He made second-team All-Big Ten last year.
2. Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel: At 6-6, 310 pounds, and about to enter his third year as the Aggies’ starting blindside protector, most view him as the best offensive tackle in the nation. He made first-team All-Big 12 in 2011.
3. Alabama right tackle D.J. Fluker: A 6-6, 335-pound junior, he’s heading into his third season as a starter and is one of the fiercest run-blockers in the nation. Precaution has to come into play with all Crimson Tide linemen, however, as former Alabama studs Andre Smith and Terrence Cody have been slapped with the lazy tag.
4. Texas A&M right tackle Jake Matthews: A junior, he comes from a football family. Most notably, his father, Bruce, is an NFL Hall of Famer who had a 19-year career as an offensive guard. At 6-5, 305 pounds Jake may have a long NFL career himself, as he handles his own as a mauler in the run game and as a pass-protector. He’s heading into his third season as a starter for the Aggies
5. LSU right tackle Alex Hurst: This 6-6, 340-pound senior is about to be a third-year starter on the Tigers’ offensive line. He earned first-team All-SEC honors last year.
6. LSU left tackle Chris Faulk: A 6-6, 325-pound junior, he became a full-time starter at left tackle last season and is considered among the elite at his position heading into 2012. He moves around very nicely for a man size while also showing the ability to dominate as a run-blocker.
7. Wisconsin left tackle Ricky Wagner: A tight end in high school, this 6-6, 322-pound senior is about to be a third-year starter. This will be his second year as the starting left tackle, after taking over for Gabe Carimi, a first-round pick in the 2011 draft. Like Carimi, Wagner is considered a road-grader. It will be interesting to see how he protects the quarterback’s blind side this fall.
8. Central Michigan left tackle Eric Fisher: At 6-8, 305 pounds, he has experience at both tackle spots and right guard. He earned All-MAC third team honors while starting at left tackle last season. He’s considered a superior athlete for a man his size and moves around in the open field very smoothly. He missed the final two games of 2011 with a knee injury.
9. Texas Tech left tackle LaAdrian Waddle: A 6-6, 330-pound senior, he’s entering his third season as a starter. He earned All-Big 12 second team honors in 2011.
10. Miami right tackle Seantrel Henderson: This 6-8, 350-pound junior is considered to have a ton of promise, but he’s made just 11 starts thus far in his college career. The 2011 season was injury-marred while he recovered from offseason surgery, and he’s missed a lot of practices this summer after being involved in a car accident on August 1. As a result, he may not even be the starting right tackle when the season begins. In 2010 he was named Freshmen first-team All-American by both College Football News and Rivals.
11. Colorado left tackle David Bahktiari: A 6-4, 295-pound redshirt junior, he made second-team All-PAC-12 in 2011. He has experience at both tackle spots but is ingrained on the left side after taking over for Nate Solder prior to last season.
12. Syracuse left tackle Justin Pugh: This 6-6, 292-pound senior made first-team All-Big East last season. He’s suffering from an undisclosed injury, however, so it’s unclear how much time he will miss this season.
13. Virginia left tackle Oday Aboushi: A 6-6, 310-pound senior captain, he has experience at both tackle spots but has started the majority of the last two seasons on the left side. He made second-team All-ACC in 2011.
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