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Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft Roundup 6.0


Throughout the year and leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft, we will update our Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Los Angeles Chargers from several prominent sites and draft analysts.

The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Chargers:

SI - Kevin Hanson (4/1)

17. Jordan Davis, IDL, Georgia

The Chargers' offseason moves have shown their commitment to stopping the run in 2022. Georgia has a loaded defense, but Davis was a big reason why the Bulldogs ranked top-three nationally in run defense in each of the past three seasons. While he may primarily be utilized as a two-down run stuffer early in his career, his freakish mobility (4.78 40-yard dash at 341 pounds) could enable him to develop into a more disruptive player on passing downs.

CBS Sports - Kyle Stackpole (4/1)

TRADE - 13. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

Draft picks don't matter in Los Angeles apparently. The Chargers see Charles Cross slipping down the board and pounce, trading away the 17th and 79th selections to jump four spots and scoop up Cross, who may be the best pass blocker in the class.

Yahoo! Sports - Eric Edholm (3/31)

17. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

Seeing Davis go off the pick prior would be a heartbreaker. They'd have to be trade-down candidates, but who is coming up here in this scenario? Nakobe Dean might make sense on some level, but we are not feeling another Round 1 linebacker after the miss (so far) on Kenneth Murray.

But they do need a receiver, as well as more speed, so Williams could be an inspired choice come November and on. With Tyreek Hill out of the division, Williams could be the new AFC West deep threat to dread once his ACL injury is healed.

ESPN - Mike Tannenbaum (3/30)

17. Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

Dean reminds me of Jonathan Vilma. He's slightly undersized at 5-foot-11 and 229 pounds, but he plays with excellent instincts and has the production to be a three-down linebacker up the middle. I could see the Chargers perhaps adding another run-stopper up the middle, but Dean can help there while also affecting multiple other parts of the game. And Los Angeles gets a complete upgrade at every level of the defense, with Khalil Mack coming in off the edge opposite Joey Bosa, J.C. Jackson ballhawking outside, Sebastian Joseph-Day filling gaps against the run and Dean controlling the middle of the field. Los Angeles did take linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. in the first round two years ago, but he has struggled a bit.

NFL.com - Bucky Brooks (3/29)

17. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

This is all about building a fortress around Justin Herbert to help him flourish as a passer. Cross is a natural pass protector with the balance, body control and hand skills to stymie pass rushers on the edges.

The Draft Network - Brentley Weissman (3/28)

17. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Has any team had a better offseason than the Chargers? They re-signed receiver Mike Williams, traded for Khalil Mack, and signed top corner J.C. Jackson. This team appears ready to challenge for the AFC West title and with a few more pieces could be ready for a playoff push.

While right tackle is the team's most glaring need, there isn't a player worthy of a selection this high at that position. Instead, they double down at receiver for their star quarterback and give him an explosive receiver who can win down the field. A pass-catching trio of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Chris Olave would be terrifying for opposing defenses.

The Athletic - Beat Writer Mock (3/28)

17. Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

Daniel Popper: The Chargers just dished out a massive contract to free agent corner J.C. Jackson, but as head coach Brandon Staley has made abundantly clear, he will always -- always -- be looking to add more defensive backs. McDuffie is slightly undersized but still possesses a lot of the traits Staley is looking for in a corner: inside-outside flexibility, press-man capacity, willing/physical run defending and competitive toughness. Remember, size did not prevent the Chargers from selecting Asante Samuel Jr. in the second round last year. The Chargers bet on Samuel's competitive drive, and it worked out for them.

Wide receiver was definitely a consideration here, but this offseason for the Chargers is about beefing up Staley's defense, and adding another versatile defensive back makes a ton of sense, especially with the roster lacking some nickel depth at the moment.

Brugler: Ideally, you would want more size (Jackson, Samuel and McDuffie are all under 5-11), but McDuffie would be terrific value here for the Chargers. One of the smartest defensive back prospects in recent memory, the Orange County native makes up for his lack of height with intelligence and athleticism to read routes and choke passing lanes. McDuffie is the type of corner Staley will love.

PFF - Austin Gayle (3/28)

17. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

After adding J.C. Jackson, Khalil Mack, Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson all in free agency, Los Angeles can turn its attention to the offensive side of the ball at No. 17 overall, especially if Georgia's Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt are already off the board. Jameson Williams is coming off a torn ACL and likely won't be 100% healthy until the back half of the 2022 season, but he's a unique talent with rare speed that the Chargers' brass can capitalize on knowing he'd likely come off the board much earlier if he didn't get hurt in January.

MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups

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