The 2019 NFL draft is drawing closer and the team is hard at work finalizing their big board. While Los Angeles has a few needs to fill with plenty of prospects to choose from, they will likely narrow their options down to five or six players.
With that, we laid out the six options that’ll be in consideration, ranking from the least likely to the most realistic player based on who we believe will be available when L.A. is on the clock.
No. 6 | Kaleb McGary | Washington | OT
The offensive tackle position is going to be in heavy consideration to kick things off given the team’s pressing need to fill the right side. McGary, the 2018 Morris Award Winner, is the sneaky wild card option in the first round that could fill the void, sending Sam Tevi to the bench.
The former Washington product didn’t receive the same amount of buzz as the other players at his position, until showing to be a well-rounded player on film late and at the Senior Bowl, while displaying his athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine.
McGary, the 6-foot-7 and 317 pounder thrives in pass protection, using his athletic feet, cutoff angles and hand technique to keep defenders at bay. As a run blocker, he will put defenders in the dirt once his hands get latched on, showing his tough and nasty mentality.
Though he’s been touted as a second rounder throughout the pre-draft process, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if McGary ended up being a top-40 selection with offensive tackle being a heavy need for most teams, even if he didn’t up selected by the Chargers.
No. 5 | Christian Wilkins | Clemson | DT
Clemson has three former players along the defensive line that have a great chance to be selected in the first round. Lawrence is a player that possesses the physicality, athleticism and smarts at the position to attract the Chargers’ attention among others.
With there being a big need up front given there only being three active defensive tackles – Brandon Mebane, Justin Jones and T.Y. McGill, Wilkins would flourish as a three-technique with some versatility to be pushed inside and play as a one-technique at times.
Wilkins would be an instant starter for the Bolts. His ability to get to the football as a pass rusher would provide a more positive impact for a defense that ranked as a top-10 unit in 2018. His character and leadership are another thing that would make him the perfect match for a team that greatly values that in the prospects they consider.
No. 4 | Cody Ford | Oklahoma | OT
Ford is on the fence in terms of being available at No. 28 overall. In this case, I can see him falling given the amount of offensive linemen picked up in free agency, which created less of a need for some teams picking prior to the Chargers.
Ford entered the season as a relative unknown and elevated his draft stock significantly throughout the course of the year. His success helped the Sooners win the Joe Moore Award, which is awarded to the best offensive line in college football.
Ford is a huge man with an athletic skill-set for the position, showing above-average balance and flexibility to easily bend, lateral agility to handle speed, and absorb power at the point of attack. He is dominant in pass protection and creating a surge in the running game.
Many believe that Ford is best suited inside at guard, but I believe he has the ability to play either tackle spots, making it out to be a match made in heaven for Los Angeles, who’s in desperate need of a right tackle, while also being at question with the interior part of the offensive line.
No. 3 | Nasir Adderley | Delaware | FS
Who would’ve thought that the Chargers could possibly be picking a safety for the second year in a row in the first round? Not many, but after the release of Jahleel Addae, the free safety position needs a makeover. Adderley would be the ideal long term fit.
Listed as my top small-school prospect, Adderley has the natural athletic ability and instincts to man the deep third of the field at the NFL level. He possesses very good range with silky smooth hips, ball skills and closing ability when the ball is in the air. He does well to read the quarterback’s eyes and move with them.
Adderley usually comes up with the ball when given a chance to make a play on it. As a run defender, the former Delaware product diagnoses play type and direction quickly. He closes down space with strong angles and impressive closing speed.
Overall, Adderley displays the type of instincts, athleticism and playmaking skills Los Angeles needs. If available, it might be too difficult for them to pass up on him with the idea of pairing him and Derwin James together in mind.
No. 2 | Jerry Tillery | Notre Dame | DT
There hasn’t been a player that’s been mocked more times to the Chargers than Tillery. But there’s a reason why many media pundits feel like the former Notre Dame product and Los Angeles are a match made in heaven given their pressing need up front.
Tillery posted his best season in 2018, logging seven sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. He played all over the defensive line, but mainly in the B-gap or as a defensive end for the Fighting Irish.
Tillery is very hard to move in one-on-one situations. He plays with good effort most of the time, and is strong enough and long enough to get rid of blockers. He’s able to use his long arms and reach to be involved in some plays that he otherwise has no business being in.
The best thing about his game is that when he adds a pass rush from the interior, he’s able to push the pocket effectively, which is something the Chargers want in their defensive tackles. He has a really good get-off and shows ideal snap anticipation, too.
There are questions in regards to his personality and commitment to football after he sat out of the Fiesta Bowl during his freshman campaign and being labeled as a “dirty player” his sophomore year after stepping on a USC player’s helmet. But there are different many reasons to believe he does have a good character.
If Tillery wasn’t in it, he wouldn’t have stayed at Notre Dame for all four seasons, wouldn’t have played through a torn labrum in 2018, or wouldn’t have progressively gotten better. There may be some things in between the lines the team had to check up on, but Tillery has shown that he can be a dominate three-technique based on his film alone.
No. 1 | Dalton Risner | Kansas State | OT
When evaluating prospects, the Chargers always check off on production, consistency and intangibles. Risner is the perfect example of a player who does just that, as well as fit a position of need for the team.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds with 34-inch arms and 10 1/4″ hands, Risner has average measureables, but the tools to excel against NFL-level talent. Risner is smart and plays with strong hands, body control, core strength and outstanding awareness to play out in space in pass protection, as well as an aggressive demeanor in the running game.
He will be different in terms of position fit on every team’s board, as he played both center and right tackle for the Wildcats. Risner’s versatility could make him a valuable pick for Los Angeles, who is trying to upgrade their talent and depth up front.
The bottom line is that Risner is a plug and play player that would fit the Bolts’ scheme and his technical ability, intangibles and leadership will be strong selling points that will make the selection a no-brainer, if he’s available when they’re on the clock.
