Chargers Draft: NFL Insider Has This Pass Catcher As Ideal First-Round Draft Pick For LA
With under a week remaining until the 2023 NFL Draft kicks off in Kansas City, a litany of pigskin experts and insiders are weighing in on a litany of intriguing young prospects.
Alex Ballantine of Bleacher Report joined the fray recently, when he published a list running through his "ideal" selections for all 27 franchises making selections in the draft's first round.
When it comes to your Los Angeles Chargers, who have the 21st pick in this year's first round, Ballantine believes the Bolts need to shore up their offense.
On the Chargers' behalf, he votes for University of Southern California Trojans wide receiver Jordan Addison.
"Jordan Addison won the 2021 Biletnikoff Award and led two Power Five programs in receiving in his collegiate career. Yet teams will allow his mediocre predraft testing numbers to knock him down their boards," Ballantine writes. "That's good news for the Los Angeles Chargers."
"Addison had 60 receptions for 666 yards and four touchdowns at Pitt as an 18-year-old freshman. He followed that with a 100-catch, 1,593-yard, 17-touchdown campaign before transferring to USC and recording 875 yards and eight touchdowns on 59 receptions."
"Addison wins by being an electric route-runner who knows how to get open. He's also great at tracking the ball in the air and making adjustments, securing catches even when the throws are not ideal."
"With the 6'4", 218-pound Mike Williams on the outside, the Chargers can opt for a small, slippery receiver such as Addison," Ballantine concludes. "He would be an immediate upgrade over Joshua Palmer—and has the upside to replace Keenan Allen as a high-end No. 2."
Justin Herbert can use all the weapons he can get this year, as his Chargers look to improve over a 10-7 finish and a Wildcard Weekend exit in 2022.
The 21-year-old Addison was a consensus All-American selection in 2021, while still with the University of Pittsburgh. He was also named to an All-ACC First Team while with the Panthers, and subsequently an All-Pac-12 First Team for USC.
