With draft season in full gear, projections continue to flood the internet. I’ve dropped a few mock drafts over the past couple of months, but I wanted to go ahead and give fans the spotlight to show what the Los Angeles Chargers could do when they’re on the clock.
With that, I went ahead and went on my personal Twitter account to ask for the most ideal seven-round predictions. I received a lot more than anticipated, so if I’m unable to get around to yours on this edition, I’ll be sure to stash it away for later.
Mock 1 (Submitted by @Rob_Base78)
Right out the gate the Chargers grab their future face of the franchise. The opinions are mixed on the Eugene native because of his inconsistencies in college, but the talent, traits and potential to become a premiere NFL quarterback is there, especially with the slew supporting cast that he would have around him.
The wide receiver class is loaded with talent, and even though Los Angeles might be better off addressing the position a little bit later, it’s one that could be addressed earlier than expected – especially if they view this as an opportunity to give Herbert a vertical threat, which is exactly what Reagor is, who thrives with his blazing speed.
Getting Hall in the third-round would be an absolute steal. An ankle injury limited his senior season to six games. Had he not gotten hurt, there’s a good chance that he would be the top-ranked corner in this class. Hall, whose game oozes with physicality, quickness and ball skills, would make out to be the perfect compliment to Casey Hayward.
I expect the linebacker position to be addressed, but I’m not sure if it’ll be this early on Day 3. Nonetheless, Davis-Gaither would be a nice addition to a group that’s highlighted by first-year standout Drue Tranquill. A safety-linebacker hybrid, Davis-Gaither could rotate with Kyzir White at WILL, where his speed and range would come in handy, especially in coverage.
The next three picks are essentials, as well. Even though I expect Cleveland to go in the 50-75 pick range after the Combine, selecting him would add some much-needed talent to the group up front. The nose tackle position is needed more so than another three-technique, you can’t go wrong with a dependable rotational piece. Dillon would be a solid short-yardage back, who can help keep the offense to move the sticks.
Mock 2 (Submitted by @BrennanGadd)
To some, taking Love with the No. 6 overall selection is rich because he’s raw. But NFL teams will bank on potential more than anything and will still pull the trigger no matter where they’re selecting. Love, who is a loose passer and has extremely impressive arm talent, could be the long-term solution if they were to fix his inconsistent decision-making.
Jackson in the second-round has become a popular pairing, given the need the glaring need at the position. The former USC product has all the physical traits and movement skills to be a plug-and-play at right tackle, with the capability of moving to the left side by Year 2 or 3 while his mechanics are polished.
Like Hall, the Chargers would be hitting a home run with Dantzler in Round 3. Even though he’s adept at the line of scrimmage, Dantzler is more suited as a zone coverage corner, where he’s at his best reading quarterback’s eyes, showing great spatial awareness and attacking the football when it’s in the air.
Kindley would be a great depth option at guard. Edwards in the fifth-round would be a steal because I expect him to go in Round 3 or 4, but he would he able to stretch the field and open things up in the passing game. I don’t expect the tight end position to be addressed in the draft. They could find a No. 3 via undrafted free agency. If the Chargers want another flex player to serve as a wideout and running back, Gibson would be a nice option.
Mock 3 (Submitted by @KaiBigBettis)
Despite the injury concerns, I expect Tua to go in the top-5, specifically to the Miami Dolphins. But if he’s available when the Chargers are on the clock, he will be heavily considered. Assuming the medicals check out, Tagovailoa has the arm talent, field vision, instincts and intelligence to be a polarizing NFL starter after a redshirt season.
After two down seasons, Arnette helped his case to become one of the most improved prospects with his stout senior campaign. This might be a smidge too early for him, but there’s denying that the Chargers would be intrigued by his size, ball skills and talent in multiple coverage techniques.
Bartch sits atop of my big board after watching his tape and his showing at the Senior Bowl. The former tight end might find his way into Round 2 after the Combine, but should he be there in Round 3, they have to pull the trigger. His movement skills, flexibility and power both on the film and in Mobile, AL showed a capable starting tackle in the NFL.
Johnson in the fourth-round just goes to show how deep this wide receiver class is. Getting him in Day 3 would be another steal, providing the Chargers with a polished route-runner, who is strong after the catch.
Like mentioned above, I don’t think the Chargers will draft a tight end. Jones could be an intriguing rotational nose tackle. Taylor could be a depth option at the tackle position, and while his physical tools are there, he needs plenty of polish to his game.
Mock 4 (Submitted by @BossKaiju)
After watching the College Football Playoffs, everyone should know who Simmons is. The versatile play-maker, who can stop the run, cover and blitz, would be another talented defensive player to form a deadly one-two punch alongside Derwin James. This would be an enticing pick, but the way I see this happening is if they address the quarterback in free agency, their top quarterbacks are off the board or they are considering one in Round 2.
Like Bartch, Jones also sits atop of the must-draft list if he’s available. 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. He’d be the starting right tackle come Week 1 of the season.
I don’t know that the Chargers snag an interior defensive lineman this early in the draft, but this would be a great selection. Fotu, the 6-foot-5 and 337 pounder would be the successor to Brandon Mebane. Truth is, I think he will be better than Mebane in his career. Not many people can move like Fotu at that size, where he is disruptive at stopping the run and getting after the quarterback.
Lemieux in Round 4 would be a steal, as you’re getting a plug-and-play guard. His mauling mentality would be welcomed by a team that will likely resort more to the ground game next season. Pittman has some Tyrell Williams to his game, as he is a fast straight line runner, who wins with his ability to go up above the rim. Strnad would serve as depth at Will linebacker. Lipscomb would be solid to close out the draft, but I don’t think they will double dip at wide receiver.
Mock 5 (Submitted by @wadleigh_matt24)
I mentioned that I don’t believe the Chargers will take a defensive tackle early on, but Brown could possibly be their top-ranked player and he would solidify the interior front with a disruptive presence, who can play the one or three-technique.
Fromm hasn’t been brought up in discussion as a possibility for the Chargers, simply because many believe that it will be addressed in free agency or the first-round. Should they choose to wait, the former Georgia product will likely be available at the top of Round 2. Fromm has below average physical traits, but there’s no denying he has the accuracy and high football IQ to garner starting consideration.
Tega Wanogho in the third-round would be a steal, considering I believe he goes somewhere on Day 2. Even though he’s a little raw and needs to learn the finer details of the position, Wanogho still has the physical tools and a skillset that would allow him to instantly start at right tackle.
The cornerback position needs to be addressed, but I don’t think they are looking for a nickel corner, which is what Robertson is. The reason why Gandy-Golden might not be high on their board is because they already have a jump-ball specialist and red-zone threat with Mike Williams. Instead, they need speed. Walker wouldn’t be a bad depth option at linebacker, given his athleticism, but he doesn’t have much experience in coverage.