Melvin Ingram Falls Right into the Hands of the San Diego Chargers

There's no way anyone could've predicted this. If someone told me, the Chargers will select Melvin Ingram in the first round, I would ask that person how far they traded up.

Ingram was the seventh-rated prospect and was predicted to be taken in the top 10. Because of many different trades, Ingram fell out of the top 10. Then came the Seattle Seahawks at No. 15. This was the team that if Ingram did indeed fall to them, they were expected to take him. Instead, the Seahawks chose to take Bruce Irvin. Yes, that's correct, Bruce Irvin. The New York Jets followed them at 16. It was clear that they were going to take a DE or LB with Mark Barron already selected, so Melvin Ingram seemed like the right pick here. Like the Seahawks, the Jets also chose to pass on Ingram and take DE Quinton Coples out of North Carolina. The Bengals, without any shock at all, took a cornerback, Dre Kirkpatrick, at 17.

Then came the Chargers' time. David DeCastro, Whitney Mercilus, Nick Perry, Cordy Glenn and Courtney Upshaw were are still available. In this case, none of that mattered.

With the 18th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers select Melvin Ingram, linebacker from South Carolina.

San Diego scored huge here. A.J. Smith played his cards right and got a little lucky at the same time.

Here's some reactions on the pick.

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Jimmy Raye, Assistant GM: "We thought Melvin would be gone a lot earlier. We were ecstatic"

A.J. Smith, GM: "We're happy we got our guy"

Skip Bayless, ESPN Analyst: "I love Melvin Ingram. Cornerback athletic ability in 264-lb package. Disruptive. Another smart "talent" pick by A.J. Smith. Steal here."

Antonio Gates, TE: "Chargers fans welcome our newest member to San Diego (Melvin Ingram)"

Kevin Acce, SD U-T Columnist: "I'm out with fans at the Q. Just heard the newest Charger is Melvin Ingram, OLB out of South Carolina."

Michael Gehlken, SD U-T Columnist: "Chargers select South Carolina OLB Melvin Ingram with No. 18 pick. Athletic, versatile. Surprised he dropped to them."

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 Melvin Ingram, 6'2'', 276 lbs. Welcome to the San Diego Chargers!