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The Chargers are set with ten picks in next month's draft.
Some bargain free-agent moves could still take place before the draft starts, but for the most part, the current roster shows what areas they should be targeting.
As we are now officially four weeks away from the highly anticipated event, here is a look at what Los Angeles could do with each of its selections.
Round 1, Pick 22:Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku
After signing Tyler Conklin, the Chargers won't be forced to take a tight end early on. Still, if Colston Loveland is on the board, it wouldn't be surprising if they took him. But instead, Los Angeles addresses the edge defender room. Khalil Mack was re-signed to a one-year deal, but they must start thinking about the future and finding a complement to Tuli Tuipulotu. Ezeiruaku would add a speed element that the position group does not have. In 2024, he tallied 80 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one pass breakup.
- Gavino
Round 2, Pick 55:Texas A&M IDL Shemar Turner
A versatile lineman who profiles mainly as a B gap-and-out player in the NFL, Turner would add some pass rush upside to a remade Chargers unit missing the prowess of Morgan Fox, who departed for Atlanta. The Texas A&M product weighed in at 290 pounds at the Combine, setting him up for a future as a 3- and 5-technique, precisely the role the Chargers need to fill after signing Teair Tart, Da'Shawn Hand, and Naquan Jones, all 3-technique and in players.
- Alex
Round 3, Pick 86:Washington State WR Kyle Williams
After going defense with their first two picks, the Chargers shift their focus to the offensive side of the ball. Los Angeles brought back Mike Williams, who should be their X-receiver. Still, the wide receiver room lacks a true vertical threat. Williams projects just as that, as he possesses the play speed and separation skills to present a threat to opposing secondaries. The former Washington State product could quickly earn playing time in his rookie season.
- Gavino
Round 4, Pick 125: Miami RB Damien Martinez
Signing Najee Harris to a one-year deal likely will prevent the Chargers from bringing back JK Dobbins, so LA needs a new secondary back after also cutting Gus Edwards. If they want to double down on bruising backs between the tackles, Martinez fits the bill while adding a bit more receiving upside than your typical power back. A physical runner used to shouldering the load at Oregon State and Miami, Martinez would also give Los Angeles a cheap long-term option to take over when Harris hits free agency again next offseason.
- Alex
Round 5, Pick 158:Texas Tech TE Jalin Conyers
The run on offensive players continues as the Chargers finally address the tight end position in the fifth round. Conyers is a big-bodied player for the position at 6-foot-3 and 263 pounds. However, for his size, he is athletic, which shows in his movement skills in his routes and after the catch. Conyers has great ball skills, excelling at adjusting to the ball in the air and putting himself in position to make the catch. He's also sharp as a blocker. Texas Tech used him as a move tight end, but he also got reps at running back and wildcat quarterback. Conyers is capable of playing tight end, H-back, and fullback.
- Gavino
Round 6, Pick 181: Tennessee WR Dont'e Thornton Jr.
The Chargers double dip at wide receiver. Thornton ran a limited route tree in Tennessee's super-spread offense, but a 4.30 40 time at the Combine drew ample buzz in Indianapolis. However, the remainder of his profile is murky, which could leave him available later into the draft.
- Alex
Round 6, Pick 199:Louisville DT Thor Griffith
The Chargers take advantage of a deep defensive tackle class, double dipping at the position. Griffith, the Harvard transfer, brings a nice pass rush profile with power, heavy hand techniques and proper leverage. His defensive grade of 89.3 was PFF's second-highest-rated defensive tackle in the FCS in 2023. He finished with 132 tackles, 33.5 for loss, and 13.5 sacks in his collegiate career.
- Gavino
Round 6, Pick 209: Georgia G Dylan Fairchild
An experienced lineman who's spent time at both guard positions, Fairchild would provide good depth behind Zion Johnson and Mekhi Becton, allowing Trey Pipkins to kick back out to tackle in a backup role if the Chargers elect to hang on to his contract. A backup duo of Jamaree Salyer and Fairchild would be the best depth Los Angeles has had at the position in some time, allowing them to put Johnson on a shorter leash if he struggles again in 2025.
- Alex
Round 6, Pick 214:Michigan OT Myles Hinton
It would only be right if Jim Harbaugh drafts one of his former players. Brother of current member of the Chargers, Christopher, Hinton is an imposing presence at 6-foot-6 and 342 pounds. For his size, Hinton has solid athleticism and nimble feet. He plays with toughness and generates movement in the run game. He has the upside to be a decent swing tackle.
- Gavino
Round 7, Pick 255: Arizona State CB Shamari Simmons
A thumping nickel who transferred to Arizona State from Austin Peay, where he primarily played safety, Simmons would give the Chargers a developmental option behind Derwin James in their nickel safety role while adding some value on special teams. LA has overhauled that unit in free agency, allowing Simi Fehoko and Nick Niemann to sign with new teams this offseason.
- Alex
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: NFL mock draft: Predicting what Chargers will do in all seven rounds
Continue reading...
Some bargain free-agent moves could still take place before the draft starts, but for the most part, the current roster shows what areas they should be targeting.
As we are now officially four weeks away from the highly anticipated event, here is a look at what Los Angeles could do with each of its selections.
Round 1, Pick 22:Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku
After signing Tyler Conklin, the Chargers won't be forced to take a tight end early on. Still, if Colston Loveland is on the board, it wouldn't be surprising if they took him. But instead, Los Angeles addresses the edge defender room. Khalil Mack was re-signed to a one-year deal, but they must start thinking about the future and finding a complement to Tuli Tuipulotu. Ezeiruaku would add a speed element that the position group does not have. In 2024, he tallied 80 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one pass breakup.
- Gavino
Round 2, Pick 55:Texas A&M IDL Shemar Turner
A versatile lineman who profiles mainly as a B gap-and-out player in the NFL, Turner would add some pass rush upside to a remade Chargers unit missing the prowess of Morgan Fox, who departed for Atlanta. The Texas A&M product weighed in at 290 pounds at the Combine, setting him up for a future as a 3- and 5-technique, precisely the role the Chargers need to fill after signing Teair Tart, Da'Shawn Hand, and Naquan Jones, all 3-technique and in players.
- Alex
Round 3, Pick 86:Washington State WR Kyle Williams
After going defense with their first two picks, the Chargers shift their focus to the offensive side of the ball. Los Angeles brought back Mike Williams, who should be their X-receiver. Still, the wide receiver room lacks a true vertical threat. Williams projects just as that, as he possesses the play speed and separation skills to present a threat to opposing secondaries. The former Washington State product could quickly earn playing time in his rookie season.
- Gavino
Round 4, Pick 125: Miami RB Damien Martinez
Signing Najee Harris to a one-year deal likely will prevent the Chargers from bringing back JK Dobbins, so LA needs a new secondary back after also cutting Gus Edwards. If they want to double down on bruising backs between the tackles, Martinez fits the bill while adding a bit more receiving upside than your typical power back. A physical runner used to shouldering the load at Oregon State and Miami, Martinez would also give Los Angeles a cheap long-term option to take over when Harris hits free agency again next offseason.
- Alex
Round 5, Pick 158:Texas Tech TE Jalin Conyers
The run on offensive players continues as the Chargers finally address the tight end position in the fifth round. Conyers is a big-bodied player for the position at 6-foot-3 and 263 pounds. However, for his size, he is athletic, which shows in his movement skills in his routes and after the catch. Conyers has great ball skills, excelling at adjusting to the ball in the air and putting himself in position to make the catch. He's also sharp as a blocker. Texas Tech used him as a move tight end, but he also got reps at running back and wildcat quarterback. Conyers is capable of playing tight end, H-back, and fullback.
- Gavino
Round 6, Pick 181: Tennessee WR Dont'e Thornton Jr.
The Chargers double dip at wide receiver. Thornton ran a limited route tree in Tennessee's super-spread offense, but a 4.30 40 time at the Combine drew ample buzz in Indianapolis. However, the remainder of his profile is murky, which could leave him available later into the draft.
- Alex
Round 6, Pick 199:Louisville DT Thor Griffith
The Chargers take advantage of a deep defensive tackle class, double dipping at the position. Griffith, the Harvard transfer, brings a nice pass rush profile with power, heavy hand techniques and proper leverage. His defensive grade of 89.3 was PFF's second-highest-rated defensive tackle in the FCS in 2023. He finished with 132 tackles, 33.5 for loss, and 13.5 sacks in his collegiate career.
- Gavino
Round 6, Pick 209: Georgia G Dylan Fairchild
An experienced lineman who's spent time at both guard positions, Fairchild would provide good depth behind Zion Johnson and Mekhi Becton, allowing Trey Pipkins to kick back out to tackle in a backup role if the Chargers elect to hang on to his contract. A backup duo of Jamaree Salyer and Fairchild would be the best depth Los Angeles has had at the position in some time, allowing them to put Johnson on a shorter leash if he struggles again in 2025.
- Alex
Round 6, Pick 214:Michigan OT Myles Hinton
It would only be right if Jim Harbaugh drafts one of his former players. Brother of current member of the Chargers, Christopher, Hinton is an imposing presence at 6-foot-6 and 342 pounds. For his size, Hinton has solid athleticism and nimble feet. He plays with toughness and generates movement in the run game. He has the upside to be a decent swing tackle.
- Gavino
Round 7, Pick 255: Arizona State CB Shamari Simmons
A thumping nickel who transferred to Arizona State from Austin Peay, where he primarily played safety, Simmons would give the Chargers a developmental option behind Derwin James in their nickel safety role while adding some value on special teams. LA has overhauled that unit in free agency, allowing Simi Fehoko and Nick Niemann to sign with new teams this offseason.
- Alex
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: NFL mock draft: Predicting what Chargers will do in all seven rounds
Continue reading...
