Mock draft season is in full swing as the Los Angeles Chargers and the other 31 teams prepare for the 2023 NFL Draft. Armed with seven picks, the Chargers will have to make the most of their selections if they want to usurp the Kansas City Chiefs for division supremacy and make a serious run for the Super Bowl.
Note that this exercise was performed using the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Machine. If the player was on the board when the Chargers were on the clock, they were fair game. Also note that this exercise does not include trades.
Seven-Round Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft
First Round (21st Overall): Jordan Addison, WR
The Chargers kick off their mock draft with one of the easiest decisions out there. As discussed previously, Jordan Addison is a perfect fit for the Chargers offense and would be a no-brainer selection with the 21st-overall pick. In the short-term, Addison, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams could form one of the most lethal wide receiver trios in football, all the while preparing Addison to eventually fill the shoes of the aging Allen.
Jordan Addison NFL Draft Profile
Second Round (54th Overall): Luke Musgrave, TE
This is the dream start for the Chargers. Luke Musgrave comes with more injury risk than some of the other tight ends in this class, but his ceiling is as high as anyone’s. The Oregon State product is an athletic freak with above-average ball skills and elite speed for the position. Tight ends rarely contribute as rookies, but he could be the rare exception, as he already has the skills to dominate seam routes over the middle.
Luke Musgrave NFL Draft Profile
Third Round (85th Overall): Eli Ricks, CB
The Los Angeles Chargers need another cornerback or two, and Eli Ricks is the type of player that could contribute in a hurry. The 6′-2″, 188-pound Alabama product has the size and speed required to thrive at the NFL level, and he has the strength to play press-man coverage against professional wide receivers. With a bit of coaching, he could easily develop into a multi-year starter.
Fourth Round (125th Overall): Sean Tucker, RB
For the time being, we’re going to assume that Austin Ekeler will be on the roster in 2022. The former undrafted free agent will be the starter for as long as he’s healthy, but Los Angeles need to start thinking about finding an heir to the throne. This mock draft has the Chargers land that potential heir in Sean Tucker. Tucker possesses the ideal aggressiveness for the position with impressive straight-line speed, and while he didn’t catch too many passes in college, he has soft hands and might be able to handle a larger role.
Fifth Round (156th Overall): Rashad Torrence, S
If Rashad Torrence were a bit faster, he’d be a Day 2 pick. Unfortunately, he isn’t, and speed isn’t something you magically get at the professional level. However, even with that in mind, Torrence still has the intellect, instincts, and savvy to play in sub-packages and start in emergency situations. While he won’t do too much in the run game, he can take away the deep ball in Cover-2, and that is an important skill to have when you share a division with Patrick Mahomes.
Sixth Round (200th Overall): YaYa Diaby, EDGE
As you’d expect from a player selected in the back half of the sixth round, YaYa Diaby doesn’t project as an NFL starter. That being said, there is a reason he earned a spot on this Chargers mock draft. The Louisville product is quick on his feet and has the potential to defeat slower tackles in clear passing situations. Opposing offenses will be throwing the ball a lot to keep up with Justin Herbert, so the more situational pass rushers the Chargers have, the better.
Seventh Round (239th Overall): Malik Cunningham, QB
The Chargers finish this mock draft by a dual-threat quarterback with a decent ceiling. Every single team in the league is in trouble if their starter goes down, but Los Angeles would be in an especially rough place. Easton Stick is the only other quarterback on the roster, and Malik Cunningham is talented enough to win the backup job. He certainly couldn’t come anywhere close to matching Herbert’s talent, but he might be able to keep the ship afloat with creative playcalling from Kellen Moore.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
