Charger Report 3-Round Mock Draft With Surprising Trade Back
The Los Angeles Chargers hold the fifth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, giving them the option to select a game-changer. The Bolts have been speculated to draft either a wide receiver or offensive tackle with their first-round pick, but there has also been talk about them possibly trading down.
While picking at five gives them solid options to choose from, the draft class is loaded at both the receiver and tackle position. Trading down could allow the Bolts to still take a great player, while also grabbing extra draft capital.
The Bolts currently have three picks in the top 100 this season but could end up with more depending on how things shake out. Here is a three-round mock draft for the Bolts, but with them moving down in the first round to pick up some extra draft picks.
The tradeback for the Bolts in this scenario will happen on draft night because teams want to see how things fall. But we see a rare in-division trade happen. The Denver Broncos move up in the draft to land a quarterback, while the Bolts move back to No. 12.
Los Angeles moves back but also gains the extra capital. So, L.A. sends No. 5 and No. 110 (fourth-round) for No. 12, No. 76 (third-round), No. 145 (fifth-round) and a 2025 first-round selection. It's a steep price for Denver, but the Chargers are happy to take advantage.
12th overall: Taliese Fuaga, Offensive Tackle, Oregon State
Even with the trade back, the Chargers still take one of the better tackles in the draft. Fuaga can help this team build their offensive line out well, giving them a cornerstone piece to work around.
He gives them an immediate upgrade at the tackle position and can even slide over to guard if need be. New head coach Jim Harbaugh loves to win through the trenches and Fuaga can be just the player to help him do that.
37th overall: Kris Jenkins, Defensive Tackle, Michigan
Jenkins may be one of the more exciting players in the draft class, and luckily for the Bolts, Harbaugh knows him well. The big defensive tackle dominated while with the Wolverines, and he has shot up draft boards with teams very interested in him.
He likely will be a second-round selection and he gets taken by the Bolts. He had 37 total tackles last season, 4.5 of them for loss. Jenkins also added one interception and 2.5 sacks on the year.
This is exactly the type of player that Harbaugh wants to build the defensive front around, pairing him with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
69th overall: Roman Wilson, Wide Receiver, Michigan
Like Jenkins, Wilson is well-known for his time spent with Harbaugh at Michigan and he reunites with his former coach. He instantly adds to the wide receiver room for the Bolts, giving them speed on the edge that can stretch the field. Wilson does fall a little here in the draft, but the Bolts make sure he doesn't go any further.
He is a sure-handed catcher of the football and Harbaugh knows how dominant he can be. Last season with the Wolverines, Wilson caught 48 passes for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns. He would easily become a favorite of quarterback Justin Herbert.
76th overall: Brenden Rice, Wide Receiver, USC
The Bolts double-dip at the wide receiver position here. After trading away Keenan Allen and releasing Mike Williams, the Chargers load up with some very high-upside guys.
Rice would give the Chargers the type of receiver that Harbaugh covets, a physical player who goes after the ball. With him on the offense, the Bolts could turn themselves into an offensive threat.
Last season with the Trojans, Rice caught 45 passes for 791 yards and 12 touchdowns. Like Wilson, Rice has a knack for getting into the endzone, giving the Bolts even more weapons to work with.
