NFL Mock Draft 2011: San Diego Chargers Increase Speed with Aldon Smith

April 4, 2011   ·   Alec Dopp   ·   Jump to comments

The Chargers managed to (once again) prove in 2010 that talent doesn't necessarily buy playoff berth.  And though Philip Rivers was one of the top quarterbacks in the league, Norv Turner's crew still failed miserably when it mattered most.

San Diego ranked in the top five in nearly every statistical category a season ago, but they weren't able to get over the hump and into the playoffs.  What seems to be the problem out west?

We can't pinpoint what exactly is holding these Chargers back, but what we do know is that an injured linebacking crew won't help San Diego in 2011.  So with the 18th overall selection in the draft, the Chargers should look to upgrade with Missouri's prolific outside linebacker/defensive end Aldon Smith.

Smith managed 11 sacks as a freshman and six sacks as a sophomore with the Tigers, and his 6'4'', 263-pound frame captured the full attention of many NFL scouts across the nation.