While the Los Angeles Chargers are focused on making the postseason in the first year of the Jim Harbaugh regime, some are already looking forward to the second season. Draftniks are already crafting their multi-round mocks, attempting to predict not only who teams will pick but also where they pick.
In Pro Football Focus’ latest mock draft, they have the Chargers picking 25th — well within the playoffs and playing in the divisional round of the tournament.
With the 25th pick, PFF thinks Harbaugh will look to a familiar face that he recruited during his time with the Michigan Wolverines.
Chargers Look To Michigan For DL Help
25. DL KENNETH GRANT, MICHIGAN
This pick isn’t about stereotypes, even though Jim Harbaugh recruited and developed Grant at Michigan and once called him a “gift from the football gods.” It just makes sense. Harbaugh prioritizes strength in the trenches, and with Khalil Mack and Poona Ford — key contributors to the strong run defense — set to hit free agency, reinforcements are needed.
Grant isn’t your typical 335-pound defensive tackle; he’s more athletic than most at his size and has earned an impressive 87.5 run-defense grade this season.
Grant has generated 27 pressures and three sacks in addition to 21 STOPS and 32 tackles, seven of which were for a loss of yardage. He also has 5 passes defended.
Michigan is favored to have several players taken in the first round, including defensive lineman Mason Graham, cornerback Will Johnson, and tight end Colston Loveland. Loveland has been mocked to Harbaugh as well.
Harbaugh used two of his nine picks last year to go after Michigan players. He selected linebacker Junior Colson in the third round and wide receiver Cornelius Johnson in the 7th round.
