Some mock draft thoughts. Starting with this
mock draft. Here are a few alternatives for the Chargers if the draft fell the same way.
Draft #1:
- 1.17 (17) – DT DaRon Payne, Alabama – immediate starter
- 2.16 (48) – DT Tim Settle, Virginia Tech – doubled down and convert the interior DL from a primary weakness to a strength
- 3.20 (84) – S Terrell Edmunds, Virginia Tech – projected as starting FS; could have actually taken him in the 4th in this mock draft, but I am skeptical he will make it that far in the real draft
- 4.19 (119) – LB Fred Warner, BYU – LB is a need with Emanuel, Perryman, and even (ugh) Pullard all set to be UFAs after 2018 season
- 5.18 (155) – OT Will Richardson, NC State – looking for upside potential at this point in the draft; doubt he makes it this far in the real draft
- 6.17 (191) – TE Tyler Conklin, Central Michigan – another upside pick; if he recovers fully from his injury, he could return higher round value
- 7.33 (251) – RB Darrell Williams, LSU – another upside pick; surprised he went undrafted in this mock
I think there is virtually no chance Telesco would draft DT back to back in the first and second rounds. But just imagine an interior DL rotation of Payne, Settle, Liuget, and Philon with Bosa and Ingram on the edges. That would be one of the best DLs in the league, backed by one of the best secondaries. It could make the Chargers the best overall defense.
This is my favorite of these drafts, since I think DT is the most significant need for the Chargers. It is a position that Telesco has neglected for too long in the draft, drafting just 2 DTs in 32 picks, with a 5th rounder (Carrethers) and a 6th rounder (Philon).
Draft #2:
I think the Chargers have to draft OT in the first if they hope to draft a starting RT; it is not a deep position in this draft, at least not for immediate starters IMO. Barksdale is the current weak link on the Chargers OL now that Pouncey was signed to play C, and releasing Barksdale would save $3.7M against the 2018 cap. This mock draft shows OT McGlinchey going at 1.16, but it shows QB Jackson going at 1.24. I think someone will take Jackson in the top 16. If that allowed McGlinchey to reach the Chargers, they could take him at 1.17 and start him at RT.
- 1.17 (17) – OT Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame - best OT in the draft; immediate starter
- 2.16 (48) – DT Tim Settle, Virginia Tech
- 3.20 (84) – S Terrell Edmunds, Virginia Tech
- 4.19 (119) – LB Fred Warner, BYU
- 5.18 (155) – DE Chad Thomas, Miami - upside pick to provide depth behind Bosa and Ingram
- 6.17 (191) – TE Tyler Conklin, Central Michigan
- 7.33 (251) – RB Darrell Williams, LSU
The thing that makes me nervous about this draft is the possibility that Settle isn't there in the second round.
Draft #3:
In this mock, LBs Vander Esch and Evans were both available at 1.17. The team could take one of them, which could then change some later picks. IMO the Chargers need Sam and Mike LBs more than Will, so I would choose LVE, who projects as a starting Mike and also appears to be a better athlete.
- 1.17 (17) – LB Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State - immediate starter over Perryman... or maybe over Emanuel...?
- 2.16 (48) – DT Tim Settle, Virginia Tech
- 3.20 (84) – S Terrell Edmunds, Virginia Tech
- 4.19 (119) – DT Derrick Nnadi, Florida State - doubling down as in draft #1 above
- 5.18 (155) – OT Will Richardson, NC State
- 6.17 (191) – TE Tyler Conklin, Central Michigan
- 7.33 (251) – RB Darrell Williams, LSU
I like this draft, but not as much as the ones above, since Perryman and Emanuel are good enough for 2018, which means LB can become a priority next offseason. In other words, upgrading to LVE is probably less impactful in 2018 than going DT/OT. Plus, it would really hurt if Settle isn't there in the second.
Draft #4:
- 1.17 (17) – DT DaRon Payne, Alabama
- 2.16 (48) – LB Darius Leonard, South Carolina State – immediate starter over Perryman? or a rotational player who would start in 2019?
- 3.20 (84) – S Terrell Edmunds, Virginia Tech – projected as starting FS; could have actually taken him in the 4th in this mock draft, but I am skeptical he will make it that far in the real draft
- 4.19 (119) – DT Derrick Nnadi, Florida State - doubling down as in draft #1 above
- 5.18 (155) – OT Will Richardson, NC State – looking for upside potential at this point in the draft; doubt he makes it this far in the real draft
- 6.17 (191) – TE Tyler Conklin, Central Michigan – another upside pick; if he recovers fully from his injury, he could return higher round value
- 7.33 (251) – RB Darrell Williams, LSU – another upside pick; surprised he went undrafted in this mock
This is my least favorite of these 4 drafts, since I think the other drafts all provide 3 starters out of the gate, whereas I'm not sure about Leonard.
Thoughts?