Perfect Picks: Los Angeles Chargers
With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.
We will highlight four players that could help each team. This will feature picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper.
Round 1 - DeMarvin Leal, Defensive Tackle, Texas A&M
At the start of the 2021 season DeMarvin Leal was widely considered a top 10 draft prospect. It’s fair to say his stock has taken a small step back but utilised correctly he can be an explosive player. He has lined up across the defensive line and tallied 9 sacks this year. While some teams will see him as a ‘tweener’, pair him with an elite edge rusher like Joey Bosa and a physical nose tackle in Jerry Tillery and the Chargers will hopefully replace the production they could lose with Justin Jones and Uchenna Nwosu potential free agents.
Round 2 - Bernhard Raimann, Offensive Tackle, Central Michigan
You likely have heard all about Raimann’s journey from Austria to the NFL by now. The offensive tackle’s rise up draft boards has been at breakneck speed since the end of the season. Raimann allowed only one sack in four years at Central Michigan and at 6’7 has the length NFL teams desire. The Chargers hit a home run with Rashawn Slater last year and could find their other bookend here in the second. Raimann will need to transition to the right side and improve his anchor but the ceiling is high.
Mid Round Gem - George Pickens, Wide Receiver, Georgia
The Chargers will look to find a way to keep Mike Williams in LA this offseason either with a new deal or the franchise tag. Keenan Allen is another year older and Josh Palmer will battle with Jalen Guyton for the third role. That being said the Chargers would be well advised to have a plan for the future. Pickens fits the bill, he should offer good value, due to missing a lot of 2021 with a torn ACL in spring practice. When healthy, Pickens is an alpha receiver. He flashed his potential to lead a receiving corps in the National Championship and in the long run, could prove to be a draft steal.
Late Round Sleeper - Derrick Deese Jr, Tight End, San Jose State
This draft class might not have the wow type prospect of Kyle Pitts in the tight end group but it has it’s fair share of talent. The depth is highlighted by some really promising players being available late on. Derrick Deese Jr has NFL bloodlines, his dad having been an offensive tackle for the 49ers. Deese Jr had a breakout year for San Jose St, with 720 receiving yards at an average of 15.3 yards per catch. He lined up both inline and in the slot with solid blocking grades from PFF. He would add another potential starter at the spot to go with last year’s draft pick Tre McKitty.
Draft In Full:
17. DeMarvin Leal, DT, Texas A&M
48. Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
79. George Pickens, WR, Georgia
120. Jesse Luketa, LB, Penn State
159. Dohnovan West, IOL, Arizona State
195. Cam Taylor-Britt, CB, Nebraska
215. Derrick Deese Jr, TE, San Jose State
216. David Anenih, EDGE, Houston
220. D’Marco Jackson, LB, Appalachian State
235. Pierre Strong Jr, RB, South Dakota State
256. Chris Steele, CB, USC
