The State of the Chargers:
After a disappointing 2021 season resulted in the Chargers missing the playoffs for the third straight year and for the seventh time in the past eight years, the Chargers enter 2022 as one of the most exciting teams in the NFL.
Led by a budding superstar quarterback in Justin Herbert, the Chargers have a very solid corps of offensive talent with arguably the best secondary in the league on defense. While they are a talented team, the Chargers find themselves amid an arms race in the NFL’s toughest division, which saw their in-division rival Broncos and Raiders making moves to acquire Russell Wilson and Davante Adams respectively.
The Chargers have only two picks in the Top 100, and should look to fill in some holes in order to compete in a stacked AFC West.
#17 Overall
Davis is a powerful and physically imposing nose tackle with the ability to become a true game wrecker up the middle of the field as long as he improves his effort level and stamina.
Davis is a mammoth nose tackle that should be able to contribute from Day 1 on a Chargers defense that ranked among the worst in the NFL in rushing yards allowed and yards per carry.
Olave has the catch radius, catch skills, and tracking ability to be a threat at all levels of the field, but needs to become a cleaner route runner and get quicker out of breaks to take advantage of his full potential.
Olave would be an immediate weapon for the Chargers who can operate both on the outside and in the slot and help the Chargers add to their offensive firepower while also serving as a potential long-term replacement for Keenan Allen.
Dean is a smart, rangy linebacker who excels against the run and pass at all three levels of the field, but a lack of length, and inconsistencies as a tackler and disengaging blockers may prove difficult for him from time to time.
Dean is an instinctive linebacker with great range and high football intelligence, bringing much needed leadership and talent to a Los Angeles linebacker corps.
#79 Overall
Trey McBride – TE – Colorado State
McBride has the hands, catch radius and body control as a receiver with the willingness and competitiveness as a blocker to start at the next level, but inconsistent separation skills and run block effectiveness could hold him back.
McBride could offer the Chargers depth at the tight end position and another receiving threat while allowing the team flexibility next offseason as they have a potential out on Gerald Everett’s contract after the 2022 season.
Daniel Faalele – OT – Minnesota
Faalele has the gargantuan size and surprising athleticism teams salivate over in a potential tackle, but he will need to continue to improve his body composition and his foot quickness to reach his high potential.
While he is raw and most likely will not be a starter for most of his rookie season, Faalele could provide much needed depth and competition behind incumbent starter Storm Norton while slating in as the team’s potential right tackle of the future..
Darian Kinnard – OG – Kentucky
Kinnard is a big, strong blocker with a mauling mentality in the run game, but needs to refine his footwork, hand accuracy, and overall technique in the pass game to be an effective starter at the next level.
Kinnard would be an immediate boost to their right guard spot and would add a ton of nasty to an offensive line that is tasked with keeping Justin Herbert upright and healthy. He could also provide much needed depth at right tackle, as that is the position he played the most at Kentucky.
To learn more about the Chargers and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here.
