ESPN’s Todd McShay released an early 2021 NFL mock draft.
McShay sent Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to Los Angeles – in this case – with the No. 11 overall selection.
Here is what he had to say about the pairing:
Keenan Allen is a free agent in 2021 (one of many on this Chargers roster who could demand big money), Mike Williams will follow in 2022, and the depth behind that duo is lackluster. Quarterback of the future Justin Herbert is going to need weapons, and Waddle does a little bit of everything. He is the most elusive receiver in the country and can be dynamic as a kick/punt returner. In 2019, he averaged 17.0 yards per catch, 24.4 per punt return and 35.0 per kickoff return — and scored at least once on each.
The 2020 draft marked the fifth time two receivers from the same school went in the first round (Alabama’s Ruggs and Jeudy). If Smith and Waddle come off the board on Day 1, it’d be the first time a school has done it twice, let alone in back-to-back years.
The Chargers’ wide receiver room looks fairly strong heading into the 2020 season, which is led by Keenan Allen and Mike Williams The rest of the unit is made up of Jason Moore, Darius Jennings, Jalen Guyton and rookies K.J. Hill and Joe Reed.
But the continuity with the team’s top wideouts remains to be seen. Allen’s contract expires after the season, and Williams is slated to become a free agent the year after. As for the rest of the group, they have yet to prove themselves.
Waddle would give the Chargers offense something that they have not had in awhile – which is a pass-catcher with elite phone booth quicks and legitimate breakaway speed to threaten a defense vertically.
Los Angeles has an outstanding defense, but their offense still needs some pieces in order to be successful for years to come, which is why they could benefit from giving Herbert a premiere option like Waddle to distribute the wealth to.
