As we are just 19 days away from the 2019 NFL draft, everyone is making their final predictions and assumptions on how the big day will shape up for all 32 teams.
Pro Football Focus is the most recent of the crop to make their guesses with their brand new head-to-head three-round mock draft, based on their rankings.
With that, here is how PFF sees the first three rounds going down for the Chargers if they were the general manager.
Round 1 | No. 28 | Christian Wilkins | DT | Clemson
Pro Football Focus’ Steve Palazzolo kicked things off at No. 28 overall with the selection of former Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.
The Chargers have had issues for years on the defensive interior and Wilkins brings a little bit more versatility.
The Chargers are definitely in need of upgrading the interior part of the defensive line, and that’s the direction they go in the first round with Wilkins.
Wilkins has been a popular player that’s been linked to the team throughout the pre-draft process, but it started to die down recently because many mock drafts have him gone prior to Los Angeles’ selection.
If Wilkins is on the board come April, it’ll be difficult to see them passing on him as he fulfills a huge need up front and has the intangibles that general manager Tom Telesco covets.
The former Tiger is a high energy, versatile and athletic defensive tackle. His ability to get to the football as a pass rusher and run defender would provide a more positive impact for a defense that’s truly lacked playmakers in the trenches.
Round 2 | No. 60 | Chuma Edoga | OT | USC
The right tackle position will also get a lot of attention for early-round consideration, and that’s the direction that PFF’s Mike Renner goes at No. 60 overall with former USC offensive tackle Chuma Edoga.
Even though it fulfills a need, the selection of Edoga in the second round is a bit questionable. Edoga graded out as a fourth rounder for us. There’s no denying that he is a good player, but he is still raw in a lot of areas and will likely start his professional career as a backup.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and 308 pounds, Edoga is on the smaller side for an offensive lineman, but his play style suggests that he can stay outside at the next level. The former Trojan excels at run blocking where he wins with strength and smooth footwork to take defenders out of plays.
Even though he shows some promise in pass protection, Edoga will have to work on the finer details of things including hand technique to have success against NFL edge rushers.
Round 3 | No. 91 | Irv Smith Jr. | TE | Alabama
The duo finished their head-to-head mock draft with the selection of former Alabama tight end Irv Smith Jr. in the third round.
This is where it got funky because the Chargers don’t have much of a need at tight end, and it’s unlikely that Smith Jr. is available at No. 91 overall as he’s touted as one of the top graded players at his position.
Los Angeles will have Hunter Henry, Virgil Green and potentially Antonio Gates on the active roster entering the 2019 season. The team could look for a flier late Day 3 or look to add an undrafted free agent to fulfill the depth chart, but nothing early on.
