Why San Diego Chargers Absolutely Must Draft Eddie Goldman

The San Diego Chargers should make Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman their top priority in the 2015 draft.

Draft pundits Todd McShay (ESPN Insider), Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) and Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) all have Goldman going to the Chargers in the first round of their respective mock drafts. 

At first I didn't see it. A defensive lineman in the first round? Really?

San Diego had one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL last season, and Philip Rivers was sacked 36 times while playing through injuries he sustained from hits in the pocket. Based on those facts, I'd consider an offensive lineman or even a running back as a top need.

So I did my homework on Goldman to find out why he is so highly favored by the experts.

Going back to his high school days, Goldman was a 5-star recruit coming out of Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C. He was the second-rated defensive tackle prospect in the nation behind Billy Ryan High School standout Mario Edwards Jr., who would eventually become Goldman's teammate at Florida State.

He appeared in 10 games for the Seminoles as a true freshman and won a starting job the following year at defensive end. Florida State led the nation in scoring defense (12.1 points allowed) during Goldman's sophomore season and went on to win the national championship. His first year as a starter, Goldman made 19 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks—not a breakout year by any means, but a decent finish.

Goldman's best effort would come in his junior season, when coaches asked him to move back inside to his natural position at defensive tackle. In 13 regular-season starts, Goldman recorded 35 tackles, eight tackles for loss and four sacks.

Looking at the numbers, I wondered how Goldman made his case as a first-rounder, but that's exactly where the scouts see things differently. Interested teams aren't basing their evaluation of Goldman on his stats but more on his physical ability. 

CBS Sports draft analyst Rob Rang had an interesting NFL comparison for Goldman's profile that might help further explain his physical makeup—Chargers defensive end Corey Liuget:

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Liuget starred as a defensive tackle at Illinois and he likely would enjoy similar success inside in the NFL if that was what the Chargers asked of him. With San Diego predominantly asking him to play the five-technique defensive end role in their 3-4, however, Liuget has used his strength and squatty frame (6-2, 300) to help control the line of scrimmage. Neither Liuget nor Goldman will ever compete for gaudy sack totals but their frame, strength and versatility make them key front line personnel.

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Liuget has been one of San Diego's best defensive players the past three seasons, but like Rang pointed out, he's not going to lead the NFL in sacks anytime soon. What he does bring is constant pressure up front, whether its getting into the backfield to hurry a throw or make the play on a ball-carrier.

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

Aside from Liuget, the defensive line really struggled to have that sort of effect, especially when it came to stopping the run. The Chargers ranked 26th in rushing defense, surrendering just over 124 yards on the ground and 4.5 yards a carry.

San Diego tried to address the issue last year by drafting Arkansas State's Ryan Carrethers in the fifth round, but his rookie season left a lot to be desired after he suited up for only six games. Sean Lissemore, whom the team traded for in 2013, hasn't panned out in two seasons with the Chargers, and Kendall Reyes regressed in 2014 after posting 41 tackles and 10.5 sacks his first two years in the league.

Bringing Goldman to San Diego to play either tackle or end would pair two high-motor guys on the defensive line, giving John Pagano's unit the push its been lacking up front.

This would by no means signify that the team is giving up on Carrethers or Reyes, but think of it as additional depth sorely needed on this squad. Pagano likes to rotate his personnel on defense anyway, so it would allow him to infuse different combinations for specific downs and scenarios.