Following the devastating Week 18 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Los Angeles Chargers move into an offseason with lots to do. This is a team that was a tie away from making the postseason, but their weaknesses that showed all season showed in that final game against the Raiders. This will be a big draft for the Chargers to go after the best available player while filling their holes. There are no trades in this mock; however, you’d have to think the Chargers will make several moves due to the fact that they have 12 picks, including four in the seventh round.
To help with this mock draft, I used The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Team Mock Drafts.
Round 1, Pick 17: Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia
Say what you want about Davis, but he is a must-get for Los Angeles. Jerry Tillery and the rest of the Charger’s front seven had a morbid year stopping the run, and it’s mostly because of size. Tillery comes in at 295 pounds and gets moved with ease. Upgrade him with 340 pound Davis to stop the run, and you’ve got minimum a very good space-eater in the NFL. Yes, he may play only two-downs at a time, but this is the best way Los Angeles can solve their biggest problem.
For more on Davis, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 2, Pick 48: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
Petit-Frere had a rough final stretch for the Buckeyes; however, the upside is there. Bryan Bulaga is turning 33, has one-year left on his contract, and is always hurt. We saw backup Storm Norton get dominated in the last half of the season, so the need is there. With Rashawn Slater locking down the left side, Petit-Frere can come in, sit for a year to develop, and work well on the right side in 2023.
For more on Petit-Frere, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 3, Pick 79: Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnatti
Here we have the best pick of this mock draft. Sanders is one of several talented edge rushers in this draft class and only falls to the third because of the talent ahead. A solid pass-rusher opposite Joey Bosa has been needed for some time now, and if Sanders can develop into that specialist we think he can be, this duo will be lethal.
Round 4, Pick 121: Jesse Luketa, LB, Penn State
One of the Senior Bowl standouts was Luketa. Scouts and media alike loved his energy and the game he brought. Now, Luketa joins a very defensive-minded draft class and a team in need of linebacker help. Former first-round pick Kenneth Murray has struggled thus far, so Luketa’s raw potential can give Los Angeles another option down the road at the linebacker position.
Round 5, Pick 159: Marquan McCall, DT, Kentucky
McCall is not predicted to go anywhere near this high, but there are always guys on day three that you are surprised where they are selected. Even after spending their first-round pick on Davis, the Chargers decide to go right back to the front-seven. McCall comes in at 6-foot-3 and a whopping 380 pounds. 380 is far too much for anyone in the NFL, but if he can drop it down to 360 pounds, McCall will be another big body to stop the run.
Round 6, Pick 193: Chase Lucas, CB, Arizona State
Now, we enter the plethora of late-round picks that Los Angeles has at its disposal. The Chargers already have one of the best slot corners in the league in Chris Harris Jr., but he’s 32, and Lucas is good either outside or in the slot. Hopefully, he’ll develop for a few years behind Harris and become a serviceable rotation guy.
Round 6, Pick 214: Charleston Rambo, WR, Miami
This is a pick with serious boom potential. Rambo didn’t have the production most thought he would have at Miami, but that was a depleted offense, and we saw his full play at the East-West Shrine Bowl to a tee. He was one of the most notable players on-site and raised his stock enough to safely be a draftable player. Overall, this is a player Chargers fans should be excited about as an extra weapon to have in the future.
Round 7, Pick 233: Verone McKinley, SAF, Oregon
McKinley might not drop this far in the actual draft, but we can’t rule it out. He’s an excellent coverage guy who was seen in two-deep and single-high sets often at Oregon. There’s also some real NFL future with McKinley, and in a system that has developed safeties well recently, he can be the next in line.
Round 7, Pick 252: Smoke Monday, SAF, Auburn
Monday is nearly the exact opposite of McKinley. At Auburn, he was basically used as a small linebacker. Monday is the definition of a slashing safety who will lay the boom and plays with an energy that the Chargers will love. Is it realistic that Los Angeles goes two straight safeties? Perhaps not; however, these guys can make a fun, diverse, young tandem rotating in early in their careers.
Round 7, Pick 253: Jerrion Ealy, RB, Ole Miss
It’s not like the Chargers need a running back with Austin Ekeler at the helm, but Ealy can provide some nice backup reps. Ealy is a smaller back with a very dynamic game. He’s quick, explosive, and used in all sorts of ways in Lane Kiffin’s system. He could have a similar impact as a rookie that Chris Evans had in 2021 for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Round 7, Pick 255: Nick Ford, iOL, Utah
With the final selection, Ford might be a little bit of a shot in the dark, though he’s gotten some attention lately. This move is strictly to add some depth to the offensive line. We saw what happened when guys went down last year, and it doesn’t have to happen again. Ford will get rotational snaps sometime in the future but could also be one of the first players cut by the Chargers due to the high amount of draft picks this team currently owns.
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