2021 NFL draft: Who could be darkhorse pick for Chargers in Round 1?

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez identifies a dynamic defensive lineman that Los Angeles could target.

Based on the consensus, tackle or cornerback seems to be the route the Chargers will go in the first-round.

However, the unthinkable is always bound to happen in the draft, especially when general manager Tom Telesco is running the show.

If Telesco neglected the top two positions of need altogether, one scenario that could make sense is drafting former Michigan edge defender Kwity Paye.

Arguably one of the most premiere athletes at the position in this year’s class, Paye was the No. 1 player on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List heading into 2020.

He appeared in 38 games in his Michigan career with 20 starts.

The 6-foot-2 and 261 pounder recorded 6.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss to go along with 50 tackles in 2019. He had 16 tackles, two sacks and 22 pressures in four games played due to injury and the Wolverines’ shortened season in 2020.

Paye is an explosive pass rusher who’s powerful with his hands and plays with good leverage, loose lower body movements and a motor that never cools down, making him impactful rushing the passer, as equally well as he defends the run.

Paye is extremely versatile, lining up on both edges, over center and even dropping back as a spy linebacker at times for the Wolverines.

That versatility alone should appeal to head coach Brandon Staley, who’s a big advocate of the trait, as he is consistently rotating his front in his hybrid defense by mixing looks and moving guys around.

Paye would be able to play on the outside early on in his career and eventually bulk up to become a penetrating 4i-technique.

Another thing that Staley looks for in players at the position are ones who are able to set the edge versus tight ends and dominate the edge in the run game. Paye showed anchorage ability to control at the point of attack, staying square through contact and never losing balance.

While the overall production in college wasn’t as eye-popping and he could stand to develop his pass rush plan and counters, Paye has all the tools in the world to be impactful at the next level and the guidance of Staley and position coach Jay Rodgers.

I’m a firm believer that Los Angeles should take a tackle in the first-round, but Telesco’s mindset could indicate that the position isn’t a lock when they’re on the clock with pick No. 13.

“We’re drafting players, not positions, and that’s kind of where we have to look at it,” Telesco said. “We’re not just trying to fill out the team for opening day in 2021. I mean, this is how we look at it. This isn’t just GM speak, we got to look at this year, and then 2022, 23, 24.”