NFL
Los Angeles Chargers 4-Round Mock Draft 2.0
Tim Crean started writing about sports in 2016 and joined Sportscasting in 2021. He excels with his versatile coverage of the NFL and soccer landscape, as well as his expertise breaking down sports media, which stems from his many years downloading podcasts before they were even cool and countless hours spent listening to Mike & The Mad Dog and The Dan Patrick Show, among other programs. As a longtime self-professed sports junkie who even played DII lacrosse at LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York, Tim loves reading about all the latest sports news every day and considers it a dream to write about sports professionally. He's a lifelong Buffalo Bills fan from Western New York who mistakenly thought, back in the early '90s, that his team would be in the Super Bowl every year. He started following European soccer — with a Manchester City focus — in the early 2000s after spending far too much time playing FIFA. When he's not enjoying a round of golf or coaching youth soccer and flag football, Tim likes reading the work of Bill Simmons, Tony Kornheiser, Chuck Klosterman, and Tom Wolfe.
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The Los Angeles Chargers were tantalizingly close to the playoffs last year. And the roster got better in the offseason, re-signing Mike Williams and adding Khalil Mack to the defense. However, the AFC West went wild at the same time, adding players like Russell Wilson and Davante Adams. That’s why the “other” City of Angles team needs to nail their NFL draft picks like they do in this three-round LA Chargers mock draft.
LA Chargers Mock Draft 1.0
In Sportscasting.com’s last LA Chargers mock draft, the picks addressed the team’s two biggest issues. The Chargers need to improve the offensive line and add speed and dynamism to keep up with the franchises they face twice a tear. That mock draft looked like this:
- Round 1, No. 17 overall: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
- Round 3, No. 79 overall: Darian Kinnard, IOL, Kentucky
- Round 4, No. 123 overall: Velus Jones Jr., WR, Tennessee
With the NFL draft less than a week away now, nothing has changed regarding what the team needs. However, how they prioritize the different positions and where they target each one of them for ultimate efficiency has shifted a bit. Here is the LA Chargers mock draft 2.0.
Round 1, No. 17 overall: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Yes, offensive line might be a more glaring issue, but the organization is in an arms race for offensive weapons in the AFC West, so taking a burner like Ohio State’s Chris Olave makes sense here.
From a team-building perspective, Keenan Allen will be 30 going into his 10th season, and Mike Williams is locked up on a 2- to 3-year deal. Outside of that, there aren’t any receivers who seem like long-term partners for Justin Herbert.
Olave is 6-feet, 187-pounds, and can fly with 4.39-second 40-yard dash speed. He plays that fast on the field, too. The former Buckeye is also an excellent technical route-runner, so he can play in the slot or on the outside, which will give offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and Herbert even more options as they try to keep up with the rest of their loaded division.
Round 3, No. 79 overall: Max Mitchell, OT, Louisiana-Lafayette
The next pick in this LA Chargers mock draft is in the mid-third round because the team gave up pick No. 48 to the Chicago Bears to acquire Khalil Mack. This means that the franchise can’t address its O-line needs until this pick if they go with a WR in Round 1.
Max Mitchell is a small school sleeper who can fill the Chargers’ need at right tackle. The Louisiana native is 6-foot-6, 307-pounds, and can play either tackle, which the team doesn’t need with Rashawn Slater on the left, but it’s always nice to have that option if injuries happen.
Mitchell hasn’t shown he can stand up to intense competition week-after-week playing for the Ragin’ Cajuns, but all signs point to the fact he can do it. He has the body, the athleticism, and the toughness to become a solid (or better?) pro. He’s also durable and a team leader, which will hopefully help solidify Justin Herbert’s protection upfront.
Round 4, No. 123 overall: Logan Bruss, OG, Wisconsin
After taking Max Mitchell, a small school upside pick, in this LA Chargers mock draft, the team picks an NFL-ready guard from a school that consistently produces excellent offensive lineman. This prospect is guard Logan Bruss from Wisconsin.
The LA Chargers O-line ranked 10th last season, according to PFF. However, that’s a bit deceiving because C Corey Linsley, LG Matt Feiler, and LT Rashawn Slater were so good. RG Michael Schofield III and RT Storm Norton weren’t good at all. That’s why the team tries to revamp the right side of the OL with the third- and fourth-round picks.
Bruss is a 6-foot-5, 309-pound guard with above-average athleticism. As a Badger, he played right tackle, right guard, and even blocking tight end at times. He has the measurables, production, and pedigree to be a Week 1 starter for the Chargers, and that’s exactly what they need.
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