It is officially NFL Draft Month, and the Los Angeles Chargers still have plenty of needs after free agency. They added a high volume of players, but outside of Mekhi Becton and re-signing Khalil Mack, the starting quality is lacking.
Going into the Draft, the Chargers will need to hit on picks that can provide early playing time this season, not just backup and special team reps.
ESPN just released their biggest draft needs for all 32 teams. Chargers Insider Kris Rhim and draft expert Matt Miller broke down their thoughts on what the Bolts should do at the end of April.
Los Angeles Chargers Biggest NFL Draft Need
Per Rhim and Miller, the team’s biggest needs to fill are tight end, wide receiver, and defensive tackle. I don’t think anyone would disagree with that.
Rhim writes: “The Chargers spent much of last season struggling on offense while their defense allowed the fewest points per game in the NFL (17.7). Their offensive inefficiencies were on full display in their wild-card loss to the Texans, where Chargers pass catchers not named Ladd McConkey were almost nonexistent. The Chargers must add another impactful pass catcher for quarterback Justin Herbert this offseason, whether it be at tight end or receiver, for this team to have a shot at making a deep postseason run.”
Sitting at Pick 22, the Los Angeles Chargers should have some good options available to them. If Michigan TE Colston Loveland falls into their lap, that feels like the obvious home run pick. He is the clear TE1B in this draft, has familiarity with Jim Harbaugh, and would be a fantastic weapon for Herbert.
If Loveland is gone by then, there should be wide receiver talent available to them. Unlike most years, outside of Travis Hunter, there does not seem to be a clear pecking order with the WRs. Some have Tetairoa McMillan as the top one, while others favor Luther Burden III, Matthew Golden, or Emeka Egbuka. The point is, there will be a talented WR available at 22.
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“As for the defensive line,” Rhim continues, “the Chargers lost defensive tackle Poona Ford, one of their most important players this past season, in free agency. They could use a long-term answer in the interior defensive line.”
Michigan DT Mason Graham will be long gone by the time the Los Angeles Chargers are on the clock, but there is plenty of talent if Joe Hortiz wants to pull the trigger in the first round. Derrick Harmon out of Oregon and/or Walter Nolen out of Ole Miss could be available at 22.
If the Chargers decide to take a WR or DT in the first round (or shock the world and go offensive line again), there are tight end options in the later rounds.
One such prospect that Matt Miller pegs for the Los Angeles Chargers is Miami TE Elijah Arroyo.
“The Chargers offense lacks a reliable tight end option, and Arroyo is coming off a breakout season with Cam Ward running the Miami offense. Arroyo has battled injuries in his past, but he’s an explosive route runner with after-the-catch speed.”
Depending on how the board goes, Arroyo could be the 3rd TE taken, or he could fall a bit, and the Bolts could get a steal in the 3rd round. More than likely, they would need to pull the trigger in the 2nd, however.
The NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 24th.