Chargers News: Fresh Projection's Best, Worst Draft Outcomes For Bolts
The Los Angeles Chargers number among one of the more fascinating clubs heading into this month's NFL draft. Following a disappointing 5-12 season that saw them finishing far short of the playoffs, LA cleaned house, hiring new head coach Jim Harbaugh and new general manager Joe Hortiz.
LA has nine picks this year, starting with the No. 5 selection.
Andre Castillo of Sportskeeda unpacks the best- and worst-case scenarios for the Chargers' draft, via the site's high-falutin' Mock Draft Simulator.
In this scenario, the Bolts would maintain their fifth pick (there has been a ton of chatter surrounding them possibly trading down for two first rounders in a deal with the Minnesota Vikings), and selecting a stellar wideout, Rome Odunze of the Washington Huskies. Castillo is also amped for the team's theoretical second round pick, Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean, with the No. 33 selection. Among other top picks, this mock projects the Chargers to select defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat, Ohio State tight end Cade Stover, and Clemson running back Will Shipley in subsequent rounds.
The anticipated worst-case scenario sees LA trading down to select Penn State offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu, and subsequently trading up to draft a wide receiver late into the first round, Texas product Xavier worth, with the No. 30 pick.
"Going with his [Worthy's] former college teammate Byron Murphy II [via the No. 43 pick] is decent enough, but that is where the fun ends," Castillo writes. "Over the next four packs, Hortiz trades himself out of Rounds 3, 5 and 6 and blows multiple opportunities at bolstering the RB, CB and TE positions. He also gambles on edge rusher Gabriel Murphy and another wide receiver in Christian McCaffrey's younger brother Luke, even though their positions carry decent depth."
It will be fascinating to see how Hortiz chooses to operate, but it's clear that Castillo believes the priority should be adding depth offensively around Pro Bowl quarterback Justin Herbert.
