Chargers News: The Athletic's Top First Round Prospects For LA
Chatter continues to swirl suggesting that your Los Angeles Chargers may be looking to trade down from the fifth pick in this year's impending NFL draft.
Accordingly, in assessing the best fits in said draft for LA, Daniel Popper of The Athletic breaks down some intriguing players for the Bolts both if they did stay at No. 5 and if they traded down to pick in the 8-13 range of the draft.
Popper highlights LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers and Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze are perhaps the most sensible fits for shoring up LA's offense.
"If the Chargers cannot find a trade partner, and they are forced to pick at 5 — a realistic scenario — can they resist adding a player like Nabers or Odunze? Both project as true No. 1 receivers," Popper writes. "[The Athletic's Dane] Brugler called Nabers an “explosive playmaker.” Long speed, acceleration and deception on short, intermediate and deep routes, feel in off-script situations, YAC ability, strong hands, concentration, body control — Nabers is the type of receiver the Chargers have been missing for years. Odunze, meanwhile, 'is field-fast with the fluid route running and above-average tracking/adjustment skills to secure catches in high-trafficked areas or create explosive plays downfield,' according to Brugler."
Popper also lists Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt, Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu, OT, and Georgia tight end Brock Bowers as likely prospects with that No. 5 pick.
Should Los Angeles draft lower, Popper likes Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga, Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold, Toldeo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham, Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims, Nabers’ fellow LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma Troy Fautanu, and Oregon offensive lineman Washington Jackson Powers-Johnson.
