ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay went back and forth on a mock draft where they projected the first three rounds on Tuesday.
Kiper was responsible for the Chargers’ selections.
Here’s an in-depth look at all four of his picks and how each would fit in Los Angeles.
Round 1, No. 13, Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
If you’re placing a bet on who L.A. will select in the first-round, I’d say to put the majority of your money on Darrisaw.
After hearing head coach Brandon Staley talk at his press conference, he wants to get bigger along the offensive line, and Darrisaw possesses the size and length necessary at 6-foot-4 and 322 pounds with 34 1/4-inch arms.
I’ve said this before but if Penei Sewell and Rashawn Slater are off the board, my first preference would be Teven Jenkins. However, Darrisaw would be a fine selection still.
Overall, Darrisaw needs to become a better finisher, but he has excellent ability in pass protection, physicality in the run game, size and length and overall experience at the position, having 35 starts at left tackle.
McShay surprised me by taking Rashawn Slater at No. 8, but I don’t think it’s out of the question that Darrisaw goes this high. He could be L.A.’s starter at left tackle as a rookie.
Round 2, No. 47, Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
In the second-round after taking a tackle, I’d like to see the Chargers address the secondary. However, Staley could be looking to find his ideal edge defender to compliment Uchenna Nwosu.
Like I mentioned in an article when describing Staley’s mold for a player at the position, he covets length, explosiveness and the ability to set the edge versus tight ends and “dominate” the edge in the run game.
Oweh checks all the boxes.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and 257 pounds with 34 1/2-inch arms, Oweh is an athletic freak off the edge with excellent speed (4.37 40) and hand quickness to stress blockers.
While unrefined with his technique and counters, Oweh is the type of player that Staley would love to develop.
Oweh has gotten some buzz as a first-rounder because of his athletic traits, but I wouldn’t take a chance on him that high. The Chargers can let him be a situational pass-rusher as a rookie.
Round 3, No. 77, Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Minnesota
The Chargers finally address the cornerback position in Round 3.
Hailing at 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds with a wingspan of more than 80 inches, St-Juste uses his length and strength to his advantage to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage and at the catch point to disrupt throwing lanes. He also has fantastic speed and agility to stay attached down the field.
With L.A., St-Juste could be a versatile defensive back who plays on the outside and some safety. His deep speed, length and competitive toughness would carry over well as a gunner or jammer on special teams coverage units, as well.
It was either corner or receiver here, and St-Juste has some upside. He made only 14 starts in college after transferring from Michigan. He could be Chris Harris Jr.’s successor.
Round 3, No. 97, Simi Fehoko, WR, Stanford
I would round out the secondary by taking a safety here, but addressing the wide receiver position with his an eventual starter is not a bad way to go, knowing that Mike Williams will be playing in the final year of his contract.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and 222 pounds, Fehoko possesses outstanding an size/speed combination. His frame, body control and ability to high-point the football should lead to early success as a red zone and possession target,
When combining his vertical speed to eat up cushion and his solid tracking skills and physicality against defensive backs, Fehoko could quickly turn into a go-to target for quarterback Justin Herbert.
Fehoko is a 6-foot-4 receiver who averaged 23.6 yards per catch in 2019. If the Chargers let Mike Williams walk next offseason, Fehoko could be the favorite to replace him. He needs to get red zone targets as well.