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With 21 picks set to come off the board before the Chargers come on the clock next Thursday, there's plenty of potential for chaos. Nobody knows how many or where the quarterbacks will go. A number of players have enjoyed late rises into the first-round conversation, and popular targets for Los Angeles like Michigan tight end Colston Loveland seem like they will no longer be available by the time the Chargers pick.
If things start to go sideways, here are a few under-the-radar options LA could draft with the 22nd pick.
North Dakota State OL Grey Zabel
Many Chargers fans would probably be happy with Zabel's selection, but it seems unlikely that LA would take an offensive lineman this early in the draft in a vacuum. After signing Mekhi Becton and Andre James in free agency, LA has a four-way competition for left guard and center with James, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, and Trey Pipkins all on the roster. Without a draft day trade including Johnson or Pipkins, which feels unlikely at this juncture, adding another starting-caliber player on the interior would make the room awfully crowded.
Unless...Los Angeles' preferred options are off the board. Zabel is seen as potentially the best center in the class, and James, Johnson, and Pipkins are all free agents after the season (assuming the Chargers do not exercise Johnson's fifth-year option). Adding a long-term option on the interior on roughly the same career trajectory as Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt, and Becton would go a long way towards protecting Justin Herbert.
Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson
A popular selection for the Chargers in the second round, Henderson's range is rumored to start at the 10th overall pick thanks to his relationship with Bears running backs coach Eric Bieniemy. But let's say Chicago selects Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, and Denver (or a similar team) views North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton higher than Henderson.
Even so, it seems more likely than not that Henderson will be a first-round selection. Suppose Los Angeles is dead-set on adding a weapon on offense to assist Herbert and is not enamored with the wide receivers available. In that case, many of them have skillsets that overlap with Ladd McConkey - Henderson may be a sneaky option.
Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams
As you look at the draft board in the scenario that at least two running backs and two tight ends are off the board by the time the Chargers pick at 22, there has to be players that fall. One of the prime positions where such a player could tumble is edge rusher, where many top players have evident flaws.
For Williams, that flaw is raw speed. But check his measurables, and the Georgia edge rusher profiles similarly to the recently departed Joey Bosa, who was a productive player for Los Angeles for nearly a decade. The Chargers don't necessarily need to take an edge rusher this year with Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu returning. Still, general manager Joe Hortiz comes from a Ravens organization that frequently stays a year ahead of its actual needs. Taking a shot on Williams, who will, at minimum, be a functional run defender right away, would be a good way to keep the edge room humming.
Michigan CB Will Johnson
Johnson's had an odd pre-draft process, as injuries prevented him from working out until Monday, where he did not run the 40-yard dash. The Athletic's Dane Brugler subsequently has Johnson falling to the 23rd pick to Green Bay in his latest seven-round mock draft, with a disclaimer that the Michigan corner could be picked as early as 11th. If Johnson does take that tumble and Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant - the Chargers' pick in Brugler's mock - is not available, nobody is better poised to utilize Johnson than Los Angeles.
The Chargers employ Johnson's former head coach, defensive coordinator, and defensive backs coach from 2023, his best college season. He's at his best as a zone corner, but Jesse Minter already worked around his flaws to the tune of a national championship. There's little evidence to suggest LA wouldn't be highly interested in a reunion if the opportunity presented itself.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 4 under-the-radar prospects the Chargers could select in first round
Continue reading...
If things start to go sideways, here are a few under-the-radar options LA could draft with the 22nd pick.
North Dakota State OL Grey Zabel
Many Chargers fans would probably be happy with Zabel's selection, but it seems unlikely that LA would take an offensive lineman this early in the draft in a vacuum. After signing Mekhi Becton and Andre James in free agency, LA has a four-way competition for left guard and center with James, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, and Trey Pipkins all on the roster. Without a draft day trade including Johnson or Pipkins, which feels unlikely at this juncture, adding another starting-caliber player on the interior would make the room awfully crowded.
Unless...Los Angeles' preferred options are off the board. Zabel is seen as potentially the best center in the class, and James, Johnson, and Pipkins are all free agents after the season (assuming the Chargers do not exercise Johnson's fifth-year option). Adding a long-term option on the interior on roughly the same career trajectory as Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt, and Becton would go a long way towards protecting Justin Herbert.
Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson
A popular selection for the Chargers in the second round, Henderson's range is rumored to start at the 10th overall pick thanks to his relationship with Bears running backs coach Eric Bieniemy. But let's say Chicago selects Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, and Denver (or a similar team) views North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton higher than Henderson.
Even so, it seems more likely than not that Henderson will be a first-round selection. Suppose Los Angeles is dead-set on adding a weapon on offense to assist Herbert and is not enamored with the wide receivers available. In that case, many of them have skillsets that overlap with Ladd McConkey - Henderson may be a sneaky option.
Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams
As you look at the draft board in the scenario that at least two running backs and two tight ends are off the board by the time the Chargers pick at 22, there has to be players that fall. One of the prime positions where such a player could tumble is edge rusher, where many top players have evident flaws.
For Williams, that flaw is raw speed. But check his measurables, and the Georgia edge rusher profiles similarly to the recently departed Joey Bosa, who was a productive player for Los Angeles for nearly a decade. The Chargers don't necessarily need to take an edge rusher this year with Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu returning. Still, general manager Joe Hortiz comes from a Ravens organization that frequently stays a year ahead of its actual needs. Taking a shot on Williams, who will, at minimum, be a functional run defender right away, would be a good way to keep the edge room humming.
Michigan CB Will Johnson
Johnson's had an odd pre-draft process, as injuries prevented him from working out until Monday, where he did not run the 40-yard dash. The Athletic's Dane Brugler subsequently has Johnson falling to the 23rd pick to Green Bay in his latest seven-round mock draft, with a disclaimer that the Michigan corner could be picked as early as 11th. If Johnson does take that tumble and Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant - the Chargers' pick in Brugler's mock - is not available, nobody is better poised to utilize Johnson than Los Angeles.
The Chargers employ Johnson's former head coach, defensive coordinator, and defensive backs coach from 2023, his best college season. He's at his best as a zone corner, but Jesse Minter already worked around his flaws to the tune of a national championship. There's little evidence to suggest LA wouldn't be highly interested in a reunion if the opportunity presented itself.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 4 under-the-radar prospects the Chargers could select in first round
Continue reading...
