The Chargers have a glaring need at the left tackle position that had not been addressed in free agency, which likely indicates that they have their eyes set on fulfilling it in this year’s draft.
Equipped with the No. 13 overall selection, Los Angeles could go a variety of ways, but their best bet is to get quarterback Justin Herbert’s long-term blindside blocker.
Should the team choose to go that route, the one player who could be sitting atop of their draft board is former Virginia Tech OT Christian Darrisaw.
As a freshman for the Hokies, Darrisaw shined at left tackle, earning Freshman All-American honors.
Establishing himself as one of the top offensive linemen in the ACC in 2019, he started all 13 games and while he was eligible to enter the draft, he stayed, where he cemented himself as one of the best lineman in the nation.
Throughout the 11 games in 2020, Darrisaw only allowed six pressures and no sacks, finishing with a 95.6 overall grade by Pro Football Focus and earning second-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-ACC accolades.
On the field, the 6-foot-5 and 314 pounder is smooth in pass pro, showing anchor ability, strength, body control, proper hand technique and awareness to shut down a variety of pass rushers.
Love Christian Darrisaw's mentality and aggressiveness. No one blitzing off the edge, he finds work and lays a man out. Pass pro doesn't have to be passive at all. pic.twitter.com/xboYpWOIMA
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) January 20, 2021
In the run game, he flashes strength to move defenders. He shows solid ability to reach and has the athletic traits and movement skills when getting to the second level to pave the way for ball carriers.
Another nice combo and work up to the second level from Christian Darrisaw and Lecitus Smith. Herbert is able to hit backside on the inside zone. pic.twitter.com/Jov5IWfMIi
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) January 1, 2021
Now, there are times when it looks like he may be in cruise control a little bit, lacking overall quickness and a sense of urgency, both things that he will need to get a sense for at the next level.
Now, what might put Darrisaw ahead of other guys who should be in consideration like Rashawn Slater or Alijah Vera-Tucker? Experience and a skillset tailor-made for the position.
I personally have Slater and Vera-Tucker ahead of Darrisaw in my latest offensive tackle rankings. However, there’s no guarantee that the league, let alone the Chargers, believe they are left tackles at the next level.
The tape indicates that both can play tackle at a high level in the NFL, but they could fall short of the arm length threshold in the eyes of the team, which could resort them to being kicked inside.
L.A. could be concerned because we all know how that turned out when they experimented with D.J. Fluker (2013) and Forrest Lamp (2017).
While Darrisaw isn’t my first preference, his excellent ability in pass protection, physicality in the run game, size and length and overall experience at the position give him All-Pro potential.