What will the Chargers do with their first-round pick in Thursday’s NFL draft?
The prevailing theory appears to be toward giving star quarterback Justin Herbert and new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore another weapon. Not only could the Chargers afford to get younger, wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams have missed significant time recently with injuries, tight end Gerald Everett isn’t regarded for his blocking and running back Austin Ekeler is in a contract dispute and received permission to pursue a trade.
Of course, head coach Brandon Staley could lean into his defensive background and replenish the team in the trenches or edges or in the defensive backfield.
In reviewing 12 mock drafts, here are some players – many on the offensive side of the ball – whose names are coming up as potential fits for the Chargers with the 21st overall pick:
Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Of the 12 mock drafts, four slotted the 5-foot-11, 173-pound Trojan, who transferred from Pittsburgh as the 2021 Fred Biletnikoff award winner, to stay close to home and go to the Chargers.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: “He could be one of the favorites for Offensive Rookie of the Year, because new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will get creative and use him all over the field.”
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire: “Addison isn’t the biggest receiver, and he won’t win a lot of power battles as a result, but his ability to displace defenders with route exactitude and leverage may make him one of one in this class.”
Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball.com: “Addison has game-breaking speed, and he had an incredible 2021 campaign with 17 touchdowns. He’s a major reason why Kenny Pickett was drafted in the first round.”
Nick Guarisco, Action Network: “Chargers WR coach Chris Beatty recruited and coached Addison at Pittsburgh. Further … Addison actually decommitted from Maryland to follow Beatty to Pitt. These are the kinds of connections that sometimes move the needle.”
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Three mock drafts stuck with offense but gave Herbert a significantly bigger target at 6-4 and 246 pounds. The All-Pac-12 first-teamer suffered a back fracture in late November but was medically cleared earlier this month.
Dane Brugler, The Athletic: “Justin Herbert would love to see this projection come to fruition on draft night because it would give him arguably the best pure pass catcher in the entire draft.”
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: “Justin Herbert played very well his rookie year when he had Hunter Henry as his safety valve at tight end. Kincaid has similar attributes as Henry.”
Brendan Donahue, Sharp Football Analysis: “Dalton Kincaid has been described by scouts as a more explosive Dalton Schultz, with whom new Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is very familiar.”
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Mayer isn’t as athletic as Kincaid, but the 6-4½ 249-pounder is arguably the best all-around tight end in his class and has been regarded as such since joining the Fighting Irish.
Peter Schrager, NFL.com: “He can pass block and loves to road grade in the run game. Bottom line: The Notre Dame product can play right away in an NFL offense.”
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
If the former Longhorns running back lasts this long, this could make sense in light of Ekeler’s displeasure with the lack of a contract extension. The 5-11, 215-pound Robinson is considered one of the top players in the draft but at a devalued position.
Matt Miller, ESPN: “Robinson is a three-down, do-it-all back who can very quickly be the best in the NFL. … Robinson’s contact-balance, vision and speed are top tier.”
NBC Sports Edge Staff: “Bijan is simply too talented to fall further than this. With Austin Ekeler unhappy and on the final year of his deal, this pick becomes even more of a no-brainer.”
Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
The comparisons to Pitt legend Aaron Donald are out there and probably unfair, but the 6-1, 281-pounder tore up the NFL combine with the fastest 40-yard dash time for a defensive tackle (4.67 seconds) since 2006.
Todd McShay, ESPN: “The Chargers still haven’t cleaned up their run defense – they finished dead last in yards allowed per rush at 5.4 in 2022. Kancey is undersized at 281 pounds, but he has explosive power.”
Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
The 6-1, 180-pound junior would bring a physicality to a secondary that lost safety Nasir Adderley to retirement, endured the struggles and injuries of cornerback J.C. Jackson and could lose cornerback Michael Davis to free agency in 2024.
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: “Another assertive, athletic, ball hawk for the Chargers’ defensive backfield.”
