NFL teams tend to think if they have a great Quarterback then they can have a great offense. But if the offensive line isn’t giving the Quarterback anytime to throw the ball, the Quarterback is going to spend the game on the ground.
The Chargers and Los Angeles are in the honeymoon stage but losing will quickly sour the marriage. The Chargers are bringing a new team to Los Angeles. Protecting Philip Rivers is more key to their success in Los Angeles. General Manager Tom Telesco knows that he needs to build the offense line to help Rivers.
With their second pick in the NFL Draft the Los Angeles Chargers selected Forrest Lamp. The left guard from Western Kentucky is seen as a first round prospect. Lamp fell into the lap of The Chargers at pick number 38.
Draft Expert Mike Mayock gave some insight on the pick:
"“I thought his Alabama tape was the single most dominant offensive line performance I’ve seen against that front in five years. … He’s gonna be a center or a guard at the next level.”"
Lamp might have to start behind former first round pick Orlando Franklin but he should be able to beat him out in camp. He is an elite guard that will find his way to the field. Next to Left Tackle Russell Okung the left side of the offensive line will be great for Philip Rivers blind side.
With their third pick The Chargers drafted Dan Feeney out of Indiana. They doubled down on the guard position. He was the 3rd best guard according to NFL.com.
Mike Mayock has great things to say about the selection of Feeney:
"“Really solid interior offensive lineman. I think he’s a natural right guard. You love to see the big guys when they can drop the hips and bend. This is a good pick for the Chargers. You can tell there’s a concentrated effort to get Philip Rivers hit less.”"
These picks are key for this team to protect Philip Rivers. Dan Feeney lining up next to Center Matt Slauson will make The Chargers interior offensive line a real strength on their team. Building the offensive line is something teams try to do but The Chargers had two great guards fall to them in the draft.
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The passing game will not be the only position getting help. Lamp and Feeney will have a huge impact on the running game. In 2016, running back Melvin Gordon had a great season scoring 10 touchdowns and running for 997 yards. Expect Gordon to finally to break 1,000 yards. He should have a break out season and be the dominate running back that The Chargers wanted when they drafted him in 2015.
Having to see pass rushers Von Miller, Khalil Mack, and Justin Houston in the AFC West twice a year is definitely a reason to redesign the offensive line for Rivers. The Chargers will need their line to be strong to survive the AFC West.