Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez releases his second four-round mock draft for Los Angeles.
The Chargers are four games from wrapping up their 2020 regular season. Sitting at 3-9, they will have an opportunity to load up on a handful of this year’s top draft prospects.
Like always, I used The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator to take a crack at predicting what Los Angeles might do based on positional need and players that fit its scheme. This time, there was a trade involved.
Let’s dive into the four-round mock draft!
Round 1, No. 10 (Trade via WFT), OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
If the Chargers expect quarterback Justin Herbert to continue to play at a high level, the team is going to have to provide him with some quality protection, which is why they go with a blindside blocker with their first selection.
Darrisaw, the 6-foot-5 and 315 pounder, has seen his stock creep up week in and week out. A mover in the run game, Darrisaw has the athleticism, balance, and forceful hands to stymie defenders.
Round 2, No. 36, IOL Josh Myers, Ohio State
The Chargers could elect to move on Dan Feeney and Forrest Lamp, both who are set to be free agents after the season. If they do, that would create some holes at the center and left guard positions.
Myers has served as the Buckeyes’ starting center, but he has the ability to play some guard, if need be. The 6-foot-5 and 312 pounder is a very fluid and mobile lineman with the pop and flexibility to succeed at different levels of the defense.
Round 2, No. 42 (Trade via WFT), EDGE Jayson Oweh, Penn State
You can never have too many pass rushers in this league, and with Melvin Ingram set to hit free agency after this season, the Chargers could be looking to add another dominant force to pair with Joey Bosa and Uchenna Nwosu.
A basketball player in high school, Oweh is an athletic freak. Even though he is very young in his football years, his speed rush and twitch are the type of traits that could see him become a promising long-term pass rusher in the NFL.
Round 3, No. 68, CB Rodarius Williams, Oklahoma State
Given how Michael Davis has been playing, I can see him being re-signed. But the chances are a bit slimmer with Casey Hayward once his contract is up after the 2021 season solely based on seeing slight regressions with his play.
Williams, the younger brother of Browns corner Greedy Williams, has allowed six yards or less in six of his eight starts, with more forced incompletions (eight) than first downs allowed (six), per Pro Football Focus.
His combination of coverage ability, reactive athleticism, length and physicality would bode well with how the cornerbacks play in Los Angeles’ scheme.
Round 3, No. 74 (Trade via WFT), TE Hunter Long, Boston College
There’s no guarantee that Hunter Henry, who’s slated to be a free agent after this season, will be back in 2021. Plus, his backup, Virgil Green, is also expected to hit the free agency market.
Long is a smart, willing blocker who shows athleticism in his routes, very good speed, and chunk yardage creation after the catch, showing the ability to be a monster off the play action.
Round 4, No. 97, WR Anthony Schwartz, Auburn
Mike Williams is going to be a free agent after the 2021 season. Rookies Joe Reed and K.J. Hill could make more of an impact in Year 2, but their production this season has been nonexistent. With this draft being revolved around Herbert, the Chargers go receiver here.
Schwartz shows the speed to take the top off of a defense with good route running, tracking ability and soft hands to bring in the deep passes. Given how much Herbert likes to air it out, Schwartz could quickly become a consistent target.
Round 4, No. 105, OT Myron Cunningham, Arkansas
The Chargers pick up their third offensive lineman with the hopes of bolstering an offensive line that needs a lot of retooling.
Cunningham, the 6-foot-7 and 320 pounder, has the versatility that Los Angeles would covet, as he has experience at left and right tackle and right guard. He possesses the athleticism, size and pass blocking nuances that could pay dividends for years to come.
Round 4, No. 111 (Trade via WFT), LB Tony Fields, West Virginia
Linebacker Denzel Perryman has shown that he’s worth being re-signed, but his injury concerns could hold the team back from doing so. Even when Drue Tranquill returns next season, the depth behind him and Kenneth Murray is very thin.
Fields fits the mold as a modern coverage linebacker who has the necessary sideline-to-sideline speed and athleticism to make an impact on third downs and beyond. He would be a natural fit on special teams with his skill set in space, which is something the Chargers would benefit from.
