Here is the first mock draft prior to the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis for the Chargers.
Round 1 | No. 28 | Andre Dillard | OT | Washington State
The Chargers need help along the offensive line and they should have their fair share of prospects to choose from a deep class that boasts a bunch of hog mollies.
Rather than waiting until the mid-rounds, general manager Tom Telesco decides to find right tackle Sam Tevi’s replacement early on in the draft with the selection of Washington State offensive tackle Andre Dillard. Dillard is coveted highly for his ability in pass protection. He will need more of an improvement in his run blocking, but Dillard provides an intelligent, technical and hardworking player that could eventually man the left tackle position in the future.
Here is Chargers Wire’s 2019 scouting report on the former Washington State OT.
The Chargers will be looking for offensive linemen this offseason, especially at the right tackle position. Dillard started at left tackle for the nation’s top ranked passing offense and shined in his role in his four-year stint.
Dillard fits what offensive line coach Pat Meyer likes at the position. Meyer loves to move his tackles and get them in space, while using a lot of jump sets. This leans more towards athletic and functionally sound players, which is what Dillard is.
After seeing OT Sam Tevi struggle in pass protection week after week, the former Washington State product would be an immediate upgrade. With some development, Dillard would be able to man the left tackle position when LT Russell Okung’s time is up with the Chargers.
Round 2 | No. 60 | Renell Wren | DT | Arizona State
Knowing that the Chargers will be needing more depth to the defensive line, they will be actively doing their homework on this year’s deep class. Former Arizona State Renell Wren is one of the biggest risers, and could very well entice a team that loves fast, disruptive and athletic defensive lineman.
Standing at a filled out 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, Wren has a knack for getting after the quarterback. He produces a surge off the ball with his quick first, generating the power to control and push back blockers. Wren is very well adept with snap timing and will be the first one off the ball the majority of the times.
There are times where he gives up his back and gets washed out of the play, but he’s great at navigating traffic and shows core fluidity to shift hips, and shoot through gaps to get into the backfield.
His game is still a bit raw as he needs to work on his leverage and developing more pass rush moves, but the tools are there to develop into a disruptive three-technique. Wren is one of the few players that should blow up the combine, solidifying his Day 2 status.
Round 3 | No. 92 | Jahlani Tavai | LB | Hawaii
The Chargers need some help at the inside linebacker position with many anticipating LB Denzel Perryman to either be gone, or brought back on a one-year “prove it” deal. General manager Tom Telesco made the point that they will focus solely on the position this offseason, though.
The linebacker draft class isn’t what many would expect to be deep. So the Chargers will be limited, but should be able to find a diamond in the rough prospect if they decide to wait until the middle rounds. Hawaii LB Jahlani Tavai showed on tape that he is capable of being that.
Aside from some red flags, including a suspension for one game due to being arrested and an injury that forced him to miss the last few games of the 2018 season, Tavai displayed a skillset similar to Cowboys’ Leighton Vander Esch. Well-built at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Tavai has great range and moves smoothly when asked to drop in coverage. Against the run, he is physical at the point of attack to break loose from blocks and find the ball carrier.
Here is Chargers Wire’s 2019 scouting report on the former Hawaii LB.
Overall, Tavai lined up primarily at MIKE in Hawaii’s 4-2-5 scheme. He was unable to finish his senior season with a shoulder injury, but had great success throughout his four seasons at Hawaii. He is flying under the radar, but when he’s healthy, he might be one of the better players at his position in April, especially when a good showing at the NFL Combine and his Pro Day.
Tevai will immediately add inside-out versatility, a playmaker, and intelligence to a linebacker group. He is best in a zone heavy pass defense scheme. Tavai will flash excellent run defense, using mental processing, short area burst, natural strength, and play speed when shooting gaps to disrupt plays. He shows the overall athletic range to excel at disrupting plays over the middle in the pass game.
