The Chargers’ most pressing need on the roster is the left tackle position.
Many, including oddsmakers, believe that’s the direction that general manager Tom Telesco will go when Los Angeles is on the clock at No. 13.
According to BetMGM, the odds for the most likely positions are as follows:
- Offensive lineman +110 (Bet $100 to win $110)
- Cornerback +400 (Bet $100 to win $400)
- Wide receiver +450
- Defensive lineman +500
- Linebacker +1200
Since the start of the pre-draft process, I have said that L.A. needs to take the team’s left tackle of the future with their first pick now that they have their franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert.
They’re in a position where they will be able to land one, with the likely options being Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater, Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw, Texas’ Samuel Cosmi and Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins.
Telesco has a track record of banking on mid- late-round tackles, but the fact that none of them have panned out should be a learning lesson that he should not wait to draft one.
If Telesco sticks to his guns, he could consider South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn to give head coach Brandon Staley a dynamic defender in the secondary or supply Herbert with another pass-catching weapon with someone like Alabama’s DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle.
My prediction is that Telesco will realize that he has to construct a roster that will put Herbert in position for long-term success, and he chooses to protect his blindside with one of the top linemen.
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