Jim Harbaugh builds his teams from the trenches. One huge area of concern for the Los Angeles Chargers was their interior defensive line. How can they fix that through the draft? Here are a few options from days two and three.
3 Tight Ends To Watch For Los Angeles Chargers At NFL Scouting Combine
DL Prospects for the Los Angeles Chargers
Kris Jenkins, Michigan, 6’3″ 305 LBS
This one makes a ton of sense for the Chargers. Kris Jenkins played for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan for four seasons, three as a starter, and was named a team captain. He is a superb run stuffer and he may drop to the third round. But Harbaugh may like him enough to reach for him and get him in the second round. Hopefully, this involves a tradeback because taking him at 37 is early. But some draft nicks have him going in the first round.
He has a unique combination of size speed and strength. Enough so that he was #6 on Bruce Feldman’s freaks list. He is athletic enough that he could be moved out to the edge but is unrefined as a pass rusher. Michigan used him all over the defensive front on both the left and right sides.
He is the son of a former NFL defensive lineman of the same name.
Maason Smith, LSU, 6’6″ 315 LBS
Maason Smith is in the vein of the modern super versatile defensive linemen. At LSU, he stayed mainly at tackle but moved inside and out. He is built more like a pass rusher but doesn’t have the production to back that up.
Seems like the kind of guy that should be on the Freaks List but isn’t. He is projected to run the 40 in 4.8 seconds. Will likely go in the 3rd round.
Jordan Jefferson, LSU, 6’2″ 323 LBS
Jordan Jefferson is quintessential nose tackle size but may run the 40 in under 4.7 seconds. Sign me up.
He plays too tall, which limits his pass-rushing prowess, but he is an NFL-ready run-stopper.
The Los Angeles Chargers should be able to get Jefferson in round three or four