Tag: Chargers Trevor Penning

Chargers mock draft roundup: Who analysts are projecting 2 weeks out

With the 2022 NFL draft less than two weeks away, mock drafts flood the web. Find out who’s being projected to the Chargers.

The NFL draft is less than two weeks away, and there still isn’t a great consensus on how the draft will go.

The Chargers will select No. 17 overall. In terms of needs, it seems like offensive tackle, defensive tackle, and wide receiver are at the top of the list. Although, you never know when general manager Tom Telesco is running the show.

Here’s who the experts have Los Angeles selecting with its first-round pick.

NFL Media’s Adam Rank: Alabama WR Jameson Williams

“So glad you kept Mike Williams. He’s awesome. You know I love Keenan Allen as well. I will say this: You can never have too many weapons to put around Justin Herbert. Jameson Williams is a stud and could have been the first receiver off the board if not for his injury. But you get value here at No. 17, and he can be ready for you during the playoff push. Don’t worry, you’ll make the playoffs this year. ”

Pro Football Focus’ Seth Galina: Georgia DT Devonte Wyatt

“With Joseph-Day in the fold, the Chargers take Devonte Wyatt, most likely the top three-technique interior defender in the draft. Joseph-Day played just under 50% of his snaps as a nose tackle in Chargers head coach Brandon Staley’s 2020 Los Angeles Rams defense. Wyatt would then fit slightly better at this pick than his Georgia teammate Jordan Davis, who played more nose tackle as a Bulldog. To be clear, both are good fits and both lined up across the interior of the defensive line in college, but the addition of Joseph-Day may indicate that the team is looking for more of a three-technique instead.”

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler: Northern Iowa OT Trevor Penning

“The Chargers drafted a foundational piece on offense last year with Rashawn Slater at left tackle. They might be able to do it again at right tackle with Penning, who will compete for the starting job from day one and could also provide depth at guard if needed.”

The Ringer’s Danny Kelley: Northern Iowa OT Trevor Penning

“The Chargers found themselves a long-term left tackle in Rashawn Slater last year but they still need more talent on their offensive line. Penning has the athletic skill set to play at the right tackle spot for L.A. and should help solidify Justin Herbert’s pass-protecting unit.”

Fox Sports’ Jason McIntyre: Northern Iowa OT Trevor Penning

“I wonder if Justin Herbert is having flashbacks to his right tackle, Storm Norton, getting abused in the Week 17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders? Norton gave up 11 pressures and eight hurries. He also gave up nine pressures vs. Dallas and eight to the Patriots (both losses). It’ll be a major upset if the Chargers don’t take a tackle.”

Establish The Run’s Evan Silva: Ohio State WR Chris Olave

“The Bolts need a true vertical receiver to capitalize on Justin Herbert’s downfield arm; Herbert ranked an inexcusable 18th in average depth of target (7.6 yards) among 33 qualified QBs last year. Olave’s game has limitations — he’s a long-speed (4.39) finesse receiver ticketed almost strictly for the perimeter — but Olave would perfectly complement big-bodied Mike Williams and aging slot man Keenan Allen.”

CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards: Ohio State WR Chris Olave

“Cincinnati saw how beneficial three wide receiver sets were for Joe Burrow, so adding a player the caliber of Chris Olave gives them the chance to spread coverage thin. Justin Herbert should be able to put up career numbers with this offensive structure.”

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso: Boston College OL Zion Johnson

“The Chargers can better protect Justin Herbert, and with Johnson staring them in the face they make him their pick to be plugged in at right guard instantly.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.: Georgia NT Jordan Davis

“The Chargers need a right tackle, but with Trevor Penning off the board, I don’t feel great about the value here. In fact, my next tackle in this mock doesn’t go off the board until No. 42. Let’s move instead to another need for L.A. and fill it with Davis, who at 6-foot-6 and 341 pounds is used to being a hole-filler. He has unique physical tools for his size, and he makes everyone around him better because of the space he eats. This is how Brandon Staley’s defense can level up in 2022.”

An offensive tackle for Chargers in each round of 2022 NFL draft

Laying out an offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers in each round of this year’s draft.

The Chargers have a few positions that need to be addressed in the upcoming draft, but offensive tackle sits near the top.

Luckily, this year’s crop has starting-caliber talent from the first day of the draft until Day 3.

With that being said, here’s a tackle from each round that could fit in Los Angeles:

Round 1, Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa

Mississippi State’s Charles Cross would be the guy slotted here, but I am trying to also keep this as realistic as possible with players that will still be on the board when the Chargers are on the clock, and I believe that Cross will likely be gone within the first 15 selections.

Penning checks off on the measurables, hovering at 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds with arms longer than 34 inches. Along with that, he possesses the athleticism, having run an elite 40 yard dash time of 4.89 seconds and 7.25 seconds in the three-cone drill.

On the field, while he needs to clean up his leverage and hand usage to avoid penalties in the NFL, Penning has the size, movement skills to match, and a nasty temperament in the run game to start opposite Rashawn Slater right off the bat.

Round 3, Nicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio State

Petit-Frere made 19 career starts with the Buckeyes, with seven coming at right tackle in 2020 and 12 at left tackle in 2021. During his college career, he allowed 36 pressures and three sacks while earning PFF run-blocking grades of 72.7 and 84.3 in his final two years.

At 6-foot-5 and 316 pounds with 33 5/8-inch arms, Petit-Frere looks the part of an NFL offensive tackle, and he plays with athleticism, flexibility and lower body explosion, controlling rushers in pass protection and moving bodies in the run game, but he will need to develop his anchor.

Round 4, Max Mitchell, Louisiana

Mitchell led all FBS tackles with a 94.8 PFF grade, as he allowed only 13 pressures and three sacks last season while racking up the third-most big-time run blocks. In addition, he never committed a penalty or missed an offensive snap.

While he did not test very well at the Combine and will need to continue to get stronger, Mitchell is a tough-minded tackle, with the positioning and foot quickness to mirror and match, great hand techniques to keep rushers at bay, and run-blocking consistency at the first and second levels.

Round 5, Braxton Jones, Southern Utah

Jones started 30 games, primarily at left tackle en route to earning First-Team All-American in his final two seasons.

He has outstanding size and length at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds with 35 3/8″ arms coupled with above-average athleticism, as evident with a 4.97 40 time and 4.84 short shuttle.

Jones will need to continue to get stronger, but he has solid foundation traits, with flexibility, footwork, and hand placement to be effective as a tackle at the next level.

Round 6, Zachary Thomas, San Diego State

Thomas was a three-year starter for the Aztecs at left and right tackle. At his best as a run-blocker, Thomas had a 90.1 grade on that front in 2020, fourth-best among FBS tackles, and an 89.6 grade in 2021.

Thomas shows functional athleticism, quality strength/leverage, comfortability as a reach and second-level blocker, and a high level of intelligence as far as picking up stunts/blitzes goes. Further, he has the potential to play some guard at the next level.

Round 7, Jean Delance, Florida

Delance possesses the ideal measurables and resume for an NFL offensive lineman at 6-foot-5 and 303 pounds with over 36-inch arms coupled with 37 SEC starts under his belt, playing both tackle and guard.

Delance was a key member of Gator’s starting five, keeping rushers at bay with his athleticism and vine-like arms, all while paving the way in the run game, as they ranked No. 4 in the SEC in rushing offense in 2021.