After a disappointing end to the 2022 season, this will be an important mock draft for the Los Angeles Chargers in building their roster for the future.
While the Chargers are a roster with star power on both sides of the ball, this is a team that needs more depth in order to compete in a stacked AFC. That leaves them with plenty of options for positions to target in this draft.
So, without further ado let’s start with their first-round pick at 21st overall.
Round 1, 21st Overall: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
While Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are a good receiving duo, this is an offense that is lacking a deep threat who can stretch defenses. That receiver can be found in this mock draft with Zay Flowers as he would be a perfect fit in the Los Angeles Chargers offense.
Flowers not only can create vertical separation with speed, but he also has good ball tracking on deep balls. Even at just above 5-foot-9, there’s still examples of him coming down with deep balls without much separation just by tracking the ball better than opposing defensive backs and going up to come down with tough catches.
He’s not just a deep threat however as he also won quite a bit by separating quickly on short and intermediate routes. He was the focal point of Boston College’s passing attack throughout his career as he led the team in receiving yards in each of his last three seasons. He won’t have to be relied upon as much in the NFL and can excel in the right role.
Zay Flowers is so explosive & so twitchy. He’s so SUDDEN at the top of his routes. Quite impressive🫡 pic.twitter.com/BckTCzj8a3
— 2LiveCraig (@2LiveCraig) April 19, 2023
Round 2, 54th Overall: Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
One of the biggest issues for the Los Angeles Chargers in recent seasons has been an inability to stop the run. Last season they were 4th to last in the league rush EPA/play. They won’t fix that with just one player, but adding Siaki Ika would be a good start to fixing that problem.
Ika has massive size at just over 6-foot-3 and 335 pounds. That combined with his power and quickness at his size makes him very difficult to block with just one man in the run game. He consistently maintains good leverage and even sheds blocks to make stops as a run defender. Ika would be an intriguing addition to the Chargers defensive line rotation.
Round 3, 85th Overall: TreVius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU
Corner isn’t necessarily a major need for the Chargers, but being in the same division as Patrick Mahomes justifies taking a Day 2 cornerback in this mock draft. TreVius Hodges-Tomlinson could compete to be the starter at slot corner for the Chargers.
Hodges-Tomlinson was very productive over his career at TCU as he was a First-Team All-Big 12 corner in all three seasons. He doesn’t have the physical tools to be coveted in the first round, but he has the instincts to carve out a role for himself in the NFL.
Round 4, 125th Overall: Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
Dorian Williams was a major contributor to Tulane’s defense over his last three seasons as a starter. In 2022, Williams was named First-Team All-Conference at linebacker, he was also an honorable mention in 2021, and made Second-Team All-Conference in 2020.
His draft stock rose with his NFL Combine performance as he ran a 4.49 40-yard dash, which was 94th percentile amongst linebackers. That sub-4.5 speed at linebacker gives him the necessary skill set to be very good in coverage, which is a valuable trait for linebackers in the NFL.
Round 5, 156th Overall: Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State
Deuce Vaughn was one of the most productive and entertaining players to watch in college football in recent years. Vaughn is electrifying in the open field as he’s someone who you simply want to get the ball in his hands in the open field and see what he can do.
His abilities as a receiver coming out of the backfield is what is most intriguing as far as how his skill set will translate to the NFL. In each of the last three seasons he finished in the top five in receiving yards amongst running backs as he had 373 receiving yards (4th) in 2022, 468 receiving yards (2nd), and 434 receiving yards (3rd).
Round 6, 200th Overall: Jason Taylor II, S, Oklahoma State
With their sixth-round pick in this mock draft, the Los Angeles Chargers add another secondary piece with Jason Taylor II. In the late rounds, it’s unlikely to find starters but Taylor could certainly compete for a spot on the roster.
He was a starter for Oklahoma State in each of the last two seasons. His 2022 season in particular was very strong as he was named first-team all Big 12. He also picked off six passes, which led the Big 12 and was tied for third in the FBS.
Round Seven, 239th Overall: Jonah Tavai, DT, San Diego State
With their last pick of this 2023 NFL mock draft, the Los Angeles Chargers select San Diego State’s Jonah Tavai.
Tavai has limited size at 6-foot-0 and athleticism, however his college production is enough to get him drafted. He led all interior pass rushers in the FBS in pressures in each of the last two seasons with 69 pressures in 2022 and 61 pressures in 2021. While he will be limited due to his physical profile at the next level, someone who can produce like that in college deserves a shot in the NFL.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
