Don’t count out the Los Angeles Chargers addressing the defensive line early on.
Just a month ago, there was a consistent trend of who the Chargers might select in this year’s draft, headlined by offensive tackles Christian Darrisaw, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Rashawn Slater.
However, the narrative has taken a turn as mock drafts are now starting to shift to players like Jaycee Horn, Penei Sewell and most recently, Gregory Rousseau.
In NFL Media’s Adam Rank’s latest mock draft, he sees Los Angeles selecting Rousseau, the enticing edge defender out of Miami with their first-round pick.
Here’s what Rank wrote about the pairing:
There are a lot of different ways you could go here. I don’t mind taking a look at corner and offensive line. But you did a nice job on the line in free agency and should be set (or at least able to wait until the next couple of rounds to address the need). I really love Rousseau as a developing pass rusher. He is obviously a little bit green, but learning on the job across from Joey Bosa should speed up the process. And it’d give this L.A. team its own version of Aaron Donald/Leonard Floyd.
I sound like a broken record saying this, but I’m a firm believer that the Bolts need to get their franchise left tackle with the No. 13 overall selection. The ones projected to make it to Day 2 aren’t starter-worthy in their first seasons as pros. Good tackles will go early and often, and L.A. shouldn’t wait.
As for Rank’s pick, I get why head coach Brandon Staley would be enticed by the idea. While the defensive line has some talented pieces in place, Staley would love to get his hands on his own guy that can help in that department, and Rousseau fits the bill.
The 6-foot-4 and 265-pound Rousseau is an extremely athletic defender who boasts great size and length, speed & agility and the versatility to win inside and outside. While his game is still raw, Staley – the defensive guru – would bank on maximizing his skillset.
Rousseau ended the 2019 season with the second-most sacks in the nation behind Ohio State’s Chase Young (15.5). He secured ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, first-team All-ACC, and was named a Freshman All-American before opting out of his redshirt sophomore season.
