What the Los Angeles Chargers need more than anything is the players they’ve picked in previous drafts to actually live up to their potential. Also, a new, actually qualified head coach wouldn’t hurt.
Still, the Chargers are saddled with Anthony Lynn for at least one more season. Here’s what he and general manager Tom Telesco should do with their 2018 draft before he gets tossed over the wall via trebuchet.
Round 1, Pick 17: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
6-8, 345 pounds
In spite of investing big money in their offensive line last season, the Chargers were ranked the No. 24 unit overall by Pro Football Focus. An injury to rookie Forrest Lamp could have had something to do with that, but Los Angeles needs help. Regardless of his poor exercise performance at the NFL combine, Brown should be a solid addition and allow the Chargers to shuffle their best five players onto the offensive line.
Round 2, Pick 48: Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford
2017: 98 tackles, 17 for a loss, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries (6-4, 295 pounds)
L.A. got absolutely no pass rush at all from Brandon Mebane last season. Phillips is an immediate upgrade. Mebane comes with a $5.5 million cap hit this season. The Chargers can get $4.5 million of that back if they cut him.
Round 3, Pick 84: Ronnie Harrison, Safety, Alabama
2017: 74 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, three interceptions, four passes defended (6-3, 214 pounds)
The Chargers are young at safety and as talented as Adrian Phillips and Jahleel Addae are, they don’t produce turnovers and are inconsistent in pass defense. Harrison could supplant either of them as a rookie.
Round 4, Pick 119: Tegray Scales, OLB, Indiana
2017: 89 tackles, 12.5 for a loss, six sacks, two interceptions, one pass defended, two fumble recoveries (6-0, 230 pounds)
Scales would be move to inside linebacker with Los Angeles, a position he’s built more to play at the NFL level, especially with his cover skills.
Round 5, Pick 155: John Kelly, RB, Tennessee
2017: 189 carries, 778 yards, nine touchdowns, 37 catches, 299 yards (5-9, 205 pounds)
Melvin Gordon finally became a 1,000-yard back last season. Kelly adds depth behind him with an ability to play every down if called upon. This kid was used incorrectly at Tennessee, much like Alvin Kamara before him. No one knows what kind of pro he could potentially develop in to.
Round 6, Pick 191: Darren Carrington II, WR, Utah
2017: 70 catches, 980 yards, six touchdowns (6-2, 205 pounds)
If Mike Williams steps up to become what he should as a pro, the Chargers have all the weapons at wideout they need. With the jury still out, it won’t hurt to add a little more insurance with the big-bodied Carrington. He was a high-use target in college and has good, physical size. If there’s one thing that offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt can do, it’s develop wide receivers.
Round 7, Pick 251: Nick Stevens, QB, Colorado State
2017: 61.9 completion percentage, 3,804 yards, 29 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, four rushing touchdowns (6-3, 215 pounds)
The Chargers are in such dire straights at their back up quarterback position they brought in Geno Smith this offseason. Behind him is Cardale Jones. That’s a whole lot of bums on the bench. Will Stevens be better? How the hell could he be worse?
