Rumor has it that D.J. Fluker and not Chance Warmack will be the first prospect on the Alabama Crimson Tide drafted, and the unfortunate thing is that this is possible. Daniel Jeremiah tweeted out information regarding this today, and teams might feel that drafting a guy who can play at guard and tackle is better than just drafting someone who will only play guard. Fluker would like to play at tackle instead of guard (most prospects would), but the big OL might be best off at guard. There is going to be a huge run on tackles in the top end of the draft, and Fluker is seeing his stock rise solely due to demand. There is no doubt in my mind that Chance Warmack is the superior prospect to Fluker, but it’s all about the tackle position these days.
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According to draft analyst and insider Tony Pauline, the Titans view Fluker as “a day one starter” at the guard position. Fluker’s natural position at the pro level could very well be at guard, and the Titans still need some help there even after signing star guard Andy Levitre from the Buffalo Bills. However, it is best for the Titans to take Warmack instead, because they already have bookend tackles and should instead focus on the best prospect available on the inside of the line. To me, that is clearly Warmack.
Now Pauline is also reporting that the San Diego Chargers are considering D.J. Fluker one pick after the Titans at No. 11, and tackle is the biggest need in San Diego. They need to surround Philip Rivers with some competence in front of him on the offensive line, and their situation at tackle is definitely due for an upgrade. The Chargers are setting up Rivers for failure, and they might take Fluker in order to do all that they can to upgrade at a position of huge need. Although Fluker, in my opinion, doesn’t have the talent to be deserving of a top 15 selection, there is a strong chance he ends up going there solely based on need. Lane Johnson is not making it out of the top ten anymore, so the Chargers might feel obligated to take Fluker and upgrade at tackle (even if Fluker is solely a right tackle).
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