The Athletic’s Dane Brugler released his new seven-round mock draft on Monday.
Brugler pays close attention to fit (scheme and culture) and draft trends, visits, and workouts than his own personal opinions.
With that, lets break down what one of the highly touted draft analysts is thinking for Los Angeles in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Round 1 | QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
Tua or Oregon’s Justin Herbert, that’s what it’s come down to in the majority of mock drafts. There’s been growing buzz recently that the Dolphins are leaning towards Herbert, which means that the Chargers would see Tagovailoa fall to their laps.
However, in the draft you never know what’s going to occur, which is why a trade up is possible if they feel like Tua is their guy. Even though he draws some durability concerns, Tagovailoa is an elite passer who possesses all intangibles need, projecting as a high-upside NFL starter if he stays healthy.
With Taylor expected to start, this would allow Tagovailoa to redshirt in his rookie season in order to get to full health before taking the reins.
We aren’t talking enough about Tagovailoa and the potential of him dropping farther than this due to the durability and medical concerns. Each team has its own appetite for risk and we don’t know how the Chargers feel, but it might be worth the risk for that organization.
Round 2 | WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
After losing Tyrell Williams a year ago, the Chargers struggled to find someone that was capable of filling in as the No. 3 option. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are a dynamic duo, but they could afford to solidifying the positional group in the draft with someone that has speed.
Listed at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, Aiyuk has been blessed with an uncommon blend of burst, agility and track-like long speed. He’s also explosive as a return specialist. Aiyuk’s play-making athleticism is what would be the selling point for Los Angeles.
Round 3 | S Ashtyn Davis, California
This was a bit of a head-scratching selection. Davis primarily played the free safety position with a little bit coming in the slot in Cal’s defense. With Rayshawn Jenkins and Nasir Adderley manning the single-high role and Chris Harris Jr. starting inside, it would be difficult to find a role for Davis.
Given his background as a slot corner, there’s a possibility that he can play the outside corner role since he possesses track-like speed, ball skills and eye discipline. But ultimately, I think the Chargers elect to go with someone who already has a natural feel for the position.
Round 4 | EDGE Alex Highsmith, Charlotte
This position hasn’t been thrown around the much in the majority of the mock drafts for the Chargers, but it’s a bigger need than most people realize. Defensive ends Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram enter the final seasons of their contracts, and while you can speculate they will both be back, they might not be the case.
Highsmith, the 6-foot-3 and 248 pounder isn’t the most filled out player and that lack of strength can show up at times, but he is a twitched-up athletic rusher who possesses bend and flexibility to beat blockers around the corner. He would serve as primarily a threat off the edge to get to the quarterback.
Round 5 | LB Joe Bachie, Michigan State
The Chargers could address the linebacker earlier than this based on the offseason moves and coach Anthony Lynn comments at the combine, saying that the team will continue to add more depth to the position. However, they find a solid player here in the fifth-round.
Bachie isn’t going to be able to hang in coverage due to his lack of athleticism, but he is hard-nosed and aggressive player who is strong against the run and as a blitzer. Given his intense demeanor, Bachie would also be able to serve as a key special teamer.
Round 6 | OT Trey Adams, Washington
Finally, an offensive tackle. Waiting to take a tackle this late in the draft might surprise some people, but I believe the Chargers could be banking on new offensive line coach James Campen’s coaching to develop players like Trey Pipkins, Storm Norton and Trent Scott at the position.
Two and three years ago, Adams would have been a first-round selection, but injuries hampered him in 2017 and 2018. Even though he draws durability concerns, Adams possesses a great skillset as a pass protector and a run-blocker, projecting as a high-upside project if he can stay healthy.
Round 7 | Dalton Keene, Virginia Tech
The Chargers round out their draft with a tight end. Los Angeles placed the franchise tag on Hunter Henry, indicating that they want his services for at least one more year (barring any long-term extension before the 2020 season), and they signed former XFL TE Donald Parham.
However, insurance is needed in case Henry isn’t able to stay healthy next season. Keene is an athletic play-maker who is an effective in the passing game and run-blocking department, projecting as a developmental tight end with the possibility of serving as an H-Back.
