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After the various comings and goings, we assess where the Chargers stand at each position on the offensive side of the ball heading into the draft.
With the 2023 NFL draft just a week away, now is an excellent time to reset where the Chargers’ depth chart stands and what their strategy at each position could be.
First up: the offensive side of the ball.
The Chargers are looking to shore up the depth chart at the nose tackle position.
The Chargers met with former Western Kentucky defensive tackle Brodric Martin this past Sunday, according to The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler.
Martin totaled 81 tackles, 37 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss, four passes defended, and two sacks during his collegiate career for the Hilltoppers.
Miller also earned an East-West Shrine Bowl invite, where he had two tackles and a fumble recovery.
Towering at 6-foot-4 and 337 pounds with 34 3/8-inch arms, Martin is a stout interior defender who is strong at occupying double teams and eating up space to clear the way for linebackers.
With Austin Johnson and Otito Ogbonnia still working their way back from their significant knee injuries and Breiden Fehoko now on the Steelers, Los Angeles could be in the market for more nose tackle depth.
Martin projects as a sixth or seventh-round selection.
The Chargers hosted a versatile defender on a top-30 visit.
According to The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler, the Chargers hosted Boston College defensive back Jaiden Woodbey on a top-30 visit.
A highly touted recruit out of St. John Bosco High School, Woodbey began his career at Florida State. He recorded 59 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and seven pass deflections as a true freshman but suffered a knee injury in 2019.
Woodbey rehabbed back from the injury but wasn’t fully healthy himself the following year before electing to transfer to Boston College. He appeared in 20 games, recording 104 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and five pass deflections.
Woodbey settled into a versatile role at BC. Over the course of two seasons, he played 600+ snaps in the box, 200+ at deep safety, 200+ in the slot and 100+ along the defensive line.
Woodbey was invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas, NV.
At the next level, Woodbey’s versatility will serve him well, as he can line up against tight ends and running backs, move inside the box, and kick inside the slot.
With Brandon Staley, who covets interchangeable players on the defensive side of the ball, Woodbey is an ideal candidate.
Woodbey projects as a sixth or seventh-round selection.
Our Chargers’ NFL draft preview series continues with the wide receiver position.
After taking a steady approach in free agency, signing just one external player in linebacker Eric Kendricks and re-signing a handful of their own, the Chargers now have their sights set on the draft where they will look to bolster their roster with their selections and make a deeper run in 2023.
Before, we’re going position by position to break down where Los Angeles stands entering the draft.
Our Chargers’ NFL draft preview series kicks off with quarterback, which is in good hands with Justin Herbert.
After taking a steady approach in free agency, signing just one external player in linebacker Eric Kendricks and re-signing a handful of their own, the Chargers now have their sights set on the draft where they will look to bolster their roster with their selections and make a deeper run in 2023.
Before, we’re going position by position to break down where Los Angeles stands entering the draft.
First up is quarterback.
The Chargers continue to do their homework on this year’s tight end class.
Ahead of the 2023 NFL draft, the Chargers met virtually with former Old Dominion tight end Zack Kuntz, according to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo.
Kuntz, the 6-foot-7 and 255-pounder, played three years at Penn State before transferring, where he earned first-team All-Conference USA honors in 2021 in which he had 73 catches for 692 and five touchdowns.
This past season, Kuntz only had 12 catches, 144 receiving yards and two touchdowns after missing seven games due to an injury.
Despite his lack of college production, Kuntz is drawing plenty of buzz due to his immense athletic profile.
Kuntz had a standout combine highlighted by a 4.55 40-yard dash and a 40-inch vertical jump. He is the tallest player in combine history with a 40-inch vertical.
With offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s system heavily predicated on 12 personnel (two tight ends, two wide receivers and one running back), Los Angeles will likely be looking to add one in this year’s draft.
Kuntz currently projects as an early Day 3 selection.
Every NFL draft brings major contributors from smaller schools.
If the Chargers want to hit a home run in the 2023 NFL draft, they will have to consider all options when choosing who will make their draft board.
Every year a prospect from a small school becomes an NFL star in the making. Whether it’s the early rounds or undrafted free agency pool, there are plenty of players that always fly under the radar.
With that, I take look at six small school standouts that Los Angeles should consider based on positional needs.
Here are five players that the Chargers could target if they were to trade down in the 2023 NFL draft.
We can assume who the Chargers will take when they’re on the clock all we want, but the unthinkable is always bound to happen come draft day.
Teams will do whatever it takes to get their guy, so trades will occur. So let’s say there’s a team that wants a quarterback or skill player, but they feel like they won’t be there when they pick they’re going to trade up.
If Los Angeles was to trade down and stockpile draft picks, who might they consider?
Here are five players that could be in consideration for the Bolts if they trade down:
The Chargers sent tight ends coach Kevin Koger.
As the 2023 NFL draft nears, college pro days are happening, as prospects are making their final impressions in front of teams.
Chargers tight ends coach Kevin Koger attended Utah’s pro day this past week, according to Pro Football Focus’ Tony Pauline.
Koger was in Salt Lake City, Utah, to check out TE Dalton Kincaid. However, Kincaid was a non-participant after suffering a minor fracture in his back late last season, which also prevented him from working out at the combine.
Kincaid has been pegged as a top target for Los Angeles throughout the draft cycle, given their need to address the position as they search for a bonafide No. 1 tight end for the first time since Hunter Henry.
Kincaid is a prolific receiver with great hands who can win all over the field with his athleticism and play speed and can create yards after the catch, projecting as a passing game playmaker for offensive coordinator Kellen Moore from Day 1.
Kincaid amassed 103 receptions for 1375 yards and 16 touchdowns in his four years as a starter for the Utes, with his best season coming in 2022. He racked up an impressive 890 yards on 70 catches. Additionally, Kincaid had the lowest drop rate percentage among TEs (2.8%).
If the Chargers feel that his back injury won’t be an issue, Kincaid could be in consideration with they’re on the clock with the No. 21 overall selection.
Here’s a tight end prospect in each round of the 2023 NFL draft that could be a fit for the Los Angeles Chargers.
With Gerald Everett, Donald Parham Jr., and Tre’ McKitty all returning for the 2023 season, the Chargers return their top three options at tight end. But with Everett set to be a free agent after next season and Parham and McKitty yet to solidify themselves as premier NFL players, tight end remains a potential need for LA.
Here’s a prospect for every round that could fit the Chargers:
