Chargers 7-round mock draft: Senior Bowl-only edition

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out a seven-round mock draft with only players from the Senior Bowl.

With the 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl officially in the rearview, this is an appropriate time for a mock draft of what the Chargers could do if they only had players in the annual all-star game to choose from.

This is just an exercise, but keep in mind general manager Tom Telesco does covet the Senior Bowl as an outlet to find talent. Nine Chargers of the last three drafts attended the showcase in Mobile, AL.

Round 1 – QB Justin Herbert, Oregon

This has been the most popular pairing to this point, but Herbert to Los Angeles makes a lot of sense and he would be the perfect heir to QB Philip Rivers. The 6-foot-6 and 227 pound signal-caller didn’t have to play in the Senior Bowl because he’s already projected to be first rounder, but he did because he wanted to “compete”.

“I love seeing players that are ‘projected to go high’ and still want to come play in this game. That’s great to see,” Telesco said. Telesco was there in attendance to see the former Oregon product up close. Given his showing during the three practices and his performance in the game, Herbert should’ve caught his attention.

Not only did Herbert flash his live arm and accuracy as a passer, along with the ability to win with his legs, but he took a leap in the mental aspect, displaying better vision and processing when going throughs his reads – which is something he is knocked for. The former Oregon product looked poised and in control of the offense, and his receivers responded to him really well.

No matter if it’s Rivers or Tyrod Taylor as the projected starter in 2020, Herbert is the most ideal replacement. With the weapons around him and an improvement to the offensive line – which can be addressed in free agency and rounds following the first – Herbert could really maximize his potential.

Round 2 – OT Josh Jones, Houston

Upgrading the offensive tackle position is an absolute must. But the Chargers should benefit from this deep class where they can find a starting caliber tackle on Day 2. Among the crop is Jones, who if he’s available when they’re on the clock, would be a home run selection.

Arguably the best tackle all week was Jones. The 6-foot-5 and 311 pounder is a mirroring magician in pass protection and a bulldozer in the run blocking department. Jones is a smooth mover, who has the length and hand usage to keep defenders out in front of him.

Jones is a plug-and-play tackle who can take over Sam Tevi with the ability to move over to the left side when the team decides to part ways with Russell Okung. He’s got the tools, talent and durability to stay in the starting lineup for years to come.

Round 3 – OG Damien Lewis, LSU

Remember back in 2017 when the Chargers selected two offensive linemen (Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney) back-to-back in Round 2 and 3? That’s the route the team could look to go to solidify the offensive line this year, depending on what they do in free agency.

Using his brute strength, functional athleticism, intelligence, Lewis stymied defenders of all kinds that were in his way, both in pass protection and the run blocking department. The 6-foot-3 and 332 pounder does need to clean up his base in pass pro, but this is something that can be easily fixed.

With uncertainty surrounding Michael Schofield’s future, inconsistencies with Feeney and durability concerns with Lamp, the interior part of the offensive line does need a makeover that many people might not realize. Lewis is capable of earning a starting job as early as Year 1.

Round 4 – CB Troy Pride Jr., Notre Dame

Telesco is notorious for finding gems late in the draft, primarily on the defensive side of the ball. In this case, he digs one out near the top of Day 3 with the former Notre Dame product – who would be the perfect compliment opposite of CB Casey Hayward.

Throughout the week, Pride showed speed, mirroring ability and spatial awareness to blanket receivers and not give up too much space in coverage. The 5-foot-11 and 193 pounder would be a perfect zone defender for the Chargers since he has a knack for reading and getting a feel for route concepts before making a play on the ball.

Round 5 – WR Quartney Davis, Texas A&M

Could the Chargers benefit from adding a burner at the wide receiver position? Sure. But in a league where getting open is an absolute must, the team could benefit from getting great value from a player who’s one of the best at doing so, along with the speed to beat safeties.

Davis possesses very good speed, quickness, and a fluid style in his route running to get open with ease and then become an absolute terror in the open field. He projects as a solid No. 3 receiver at the next level with No. 2 WR upside.

Round 6 – DT Benito Jones, Ole Miss

The Chargers have young talent with Justin Jones and Jerry Tillery, but they need to add more beef up front because Brandon Mebane doesn’t have that much juice left in the tank, and Damion Square and Sylvester Williams are both unrestricted free agents.

Standing at 6-foot-1 and 321 pounds, Jones doesn’t play like someone of that weight. He has the movement skills and a plethora pass-rush moves to make an impact as a pass-rusher and the power and quickness to bulldoze his way into the backfield to stop the run.

Round 7 – RB JaMycal Hasty, Baylor

If the Chargers move on from Melvin Gordon, they could look to find another back to solidify the backfield. Telesco has had a lot of success finding talented players at the position late in the draft or in the undrafted free agency pool.

Hasty isn’t a complete back, but given the other two play-makers in Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson, it isn’t an absolute necessity. The 5-foot-8 and 203 pounder has one of the best jump cuts to make defenders miss at the line of scrimmage and he has a hard running style where he runs through arm tackles with ease.