The San Diego Chargers are in an interesting position in the NFL draft, as they have the 11th pick and are in solid position to get the player they want in Lane Johnson, but with the chance that another team could swoop in and take him, the Chargers are looking at free agent left tackle Bryant McKinnie.
According to ESPN.com, the Chargers are interested in bringing the former Ravens Super Bowl starter in on a contract to be the left tackle in 2013 even if they draft Johnson and it could be a one or two year deal. The UT San Diego reports that the team has had a "couple general discussions" and the Chargers could bring in the player that started four playoff games for the Ravens this past season. The Chargers are trying to rebuild the offensive line after releasing Jared Gaither at left tackle and between the draft and free agency the team will do that.
Gaither was a huge disappointment for the team after signing a four-year, $24.5 million contract last year and the team took a cap hit for releasing him, showing how badly they wanted to move on. He played in just four games last season after dealing with injuries and the Chargers want to revamp the offensive line under new coach Mike McCoy. The team had initial discussions with Eric Winston, but now he is focusing on talks with Miami.
Despite his age at 34 when the season goes on, McKinnie has ideal size for the line and he has been a consistent starter, making starts in 147 of 164 career games while with Minnesota and Baltimore. The team already signed King Dunlap, but since he can play a number of positions on the line there is a chance that he will be moved.
Oklahoma's Lane Johnson is the presumed target for the Chargers, as he is considered the third rated prospect behind Eric Fisher or Luke Joeckel, who are expected to be the first two at the position to go. The Chargers were mentioned in trade rumors with the Chiefs for left tackle Branden Albert, but as it gets closer to the draft the team needs to make more concrete decisions in case the deal does not go down.