It’s important to have dreams. It’s especially important around the time of the NFL draft, an event that carries with it the highest of football-fan hopes.
Many supporters of the Chargers had no idea that safety Derwin James would slide to them in the middle of the first round last year. Could this year see something similar occur?
Picking at No. 28 may be more unrealistic being towards the backend of the first where a good chunk of the top-tier talent will most likely be gone, but the craziest things always tend to happen on draft night.
With that, here are four dream scenarios for Los Angeles.
No. 1, Houston DT Ed Oliver takes a tumble
The Chargers not only lack depth at the defensive tackle position, but they have yet to acquire talent in quite sometime. What if Los Angeles saw one of the best interior defenders in this year’s class slip to them at the end of the first round to help bolster the trenches?
Former Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver is regarded as a top-3 player at his position, and many don’t expect him to get past No. 10 overall. But even though this is likely to happen, it shouldn’t be completely out of the picture.
Oliver has been a tough evaluation for NFL decision makers, as some view him as a defensive tackle, while others see him as an edge rusher or even linebacker given his freakish athleticism. If teams overthink Oliver, he could see a bit of a slide and L.A. may get another steal, like they did with safety Derwin James.
The Chargers have done their homework on Oliver just in case this were to occur. The former Houston product would be a plug-and-play three-technique on the defensive who would instantly wreak havoc against opposing offensive lines on a weekly basis.
No. 2, One of the top offensive tackles falls
The offensive tackle class is the deepest that it’s been in many years and talent can be found all across the board. Even though the Chargers will have their choosing come April, there are three players at the position that would be home runs for Los Angeles: Jonah Williams, Andre Dillard and Jawaan Taylor.
All three offensive linemen have proven to be categorized as elite talent among the rest of the others. But with many teams picking ahead of L.A. that need offensive line help, the chances are slim that they will be available by the time the Bolts are on the clock.
Nonetheless, Williams, Dillard or Taylor would be a no-brainer if they’re still on the board at No. 28 overall. All three players have shown the traits needed to excel at either tackle position and the ability to hold up in pass protection and run blocking.
No. 3, One of these offensive linemen turns out to be a franchise player
The Chargers, under general manager Tom Telesco, haven’t had the greatest success when it comes to drafting offensive linemen and seeing them be difference-makers, let along long-term options.
In 2017, they swung for the fences with guards Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney to try to help their case. Based on a two-year sample size, it hasn’t been very promising. Even though it’s too early to make a strong opinion, the previous years with the selections of tackle D.J. Fluker, guard Chris Watt and center Max Tuerk don’t offer anything to be pleased with.
With the offensive line class deep this year and there being an issue at right tackle and guard, it’s the perfect recipe to end the long drought. Los Angeles will certainly have their options when they’re on the clock like Dalton Risner or Kaleb McGary, but it’s only a matter of how they execute, and if they don’t end up being a fluke.
The bottom line is that the trenches need an upgrade to get the most out of quarterback Phillip Rivers and running backs Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson.
No. 4, Trade down and get Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
The Chargers are picking at an odd spot towards the tail end of the first round. Even though there will be plenty of talent when they’re on the clock, what if the team could afford to sacrifice the selection to acquire more picks and still grab a player of their liking?
It’s a bit of a dream because general manager Tom Telesco isn’t notorious for trading out of his spot, especially in the first round. The thing is that Los Angeles would likely benefit from it, even if it means adding only one more pick in this year’s draft.
Let’s say the Bolts move back a few slots with another team that is hoping to grab a player before someone else might. They would then get that pick as well as a fourth or fifth round selection.
The Chargers could then use that on a player such as safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson or even Nasir Adderley depending on how far back they would move to solidify the secondary, as well as use that draft pick acquired to snag the sleeper of the draft since Telesco typically nails it around that area.
It might sound a bit crazy, but it’s okay to dream.
