We have slightly under a month until the 2019 NFL draft. The Chargers have been hard at work compiling their final big board to strategize the players that best fit the scheme.
Los Angeles will also be crossing off players that either don’t fit the system, have red flags that aren’t worth taking a chance on, or simply feel they’re not rolling the dice on when they’re on the clock.
With that, here are three prospects L.A. should avoid in the first round.
Dexter Lawrence | DT
The Chargers have made it clear that they will be heavily targeting interior defensive lineman as they’ve chosen to neglect the position in free agency. Though this class is deep at the position, Lawrence shouldn’t be among the players the team is targeting at No. 28.
Lawrence, the 6-foot-4 and 342 pounder, is the best suited as a nose tackle at the next level who will bring the size, power, athleticism and strength to the position. He has the ability to stack at the point of attack and split double teams to defend the run, but there isn’t much else to his game.
Lawrence’s pass-rush technique is inconsistent and he needs to commit himself to improving his skills to maximize his tools. Lawrence relies on brute strength over technical savvy, which won’t be as effective in the NFL as it was in college,
The former Clemson product has a high ceiling, but it’s unlikely he is able to develop skills to rush the passer, get behind the line of scrimmage, or be dominate at the point of attack on a consistent basis. Because of that, Lawrence isn’t worth the risk taking in Rounds 1, and will be seen as a two-down run stuffer.
Instead, Los Angeles is better off addressing the position with a player that will be able to get to the quarterback as well as defend the run, if they elect to address the position then. Not to mention, Lawrence doesn’t fit the team’s mold when bringing in defensive tackles. The front office and coaching staff prefers smaller, light, physical and explosive defensive tackles.
Yodny Cajuste | OT
Like the defensive line, the Chargers will be aggressive in searching for a starting right tackle. Cajuste has been mocked to Los Angeles quite often, but the former West Virginia product shouldn’t be in consideration at No. 28 overall.
Cajuste has the size, strength and movements that have him seen as a first round option. He is projected as a left tackle at the next level. He will fit best with a power heavy running team, which is something the Chargers like to run. Given how comfortable he is out in space, and how well he does on screen plays, it makes him an enticing option for Los Angeles.
The problem is that players with his size and athletic profile are always over drafted. Also, he is still raw in several areas in regards to his pass sets, bending too much at the waist, sporadic hand placement, and not properly using angles.
Cajuste has starting potential if given time to develop, but the errors in his game and long-term health, given the various injuries sustained, don’t scream a first rounder.
Greg Little | OT
While it’ll be difficult to pass on an offensive tackle with their first round selection, the Chargers have to be aware of drafting ‘potential’ as opposed to talent itself that early on at the given position. Little is the perfect example of that.
Displaying an ideal NFL frame for the position, Little has the size, long arms to pass the eye test. But how is he on the field? The former Ole Miss product plays with ideal movement skills and efficient hands, but there are too many question marks when evaluating Little. He still needs to develop functional power, body control and better his mechanics, primarily at anchoring his blocks by being more physical to thrive at the next level.
His upside and skill-level for a player his size are attractive qualities. While he is not a top-tier pro prospect compared to some of the others at his position due to his inconsistencies, Little has enticing traits and potential at the left tackle position in the NFL that’ll get him drafted higher than he should be.
His ability to step on the field and play right away likely is going to be based on just how receptive he is to the speed at the level and the coaching he receives, thus making it less intriguing to take with the first selection.
