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25 five-round mock drafts for the Los Angeles Chargers

ByTyler Schoon|
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 10: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson #23 of the Florida Gators asks the crowd for noise during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 10: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson #23 of the Florida Gators asks the crowd for noise during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 05: Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after making a tackle against the Texas Longhorns during the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on September 5, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 05: Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after making a tackle against the Texas Longhorns during the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on September 5, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

Format One: Draft an interior defensive lineman at No. 28

Draft One:

  1. Jerry Tillery, IDL
  2. Juan Thornhill, S
  3. Riley Ridley, WR
  4. Chuma Edoga, OT
  5. Montre Hartage, CB

Draft Two:

  1. Jerry Tillery, IDL
  2. David Edwards, OT
  3. Khalen Saunders, IDL
  4. Ugochukwu Amadi, S
  5. Germaine Pratt, LB

Draft Three:

  1. Jeffery Simmons, IDL
  2. David Edwards, OT
  3. Renell Wren, IDL
  4. Jakobi Meyers, WR
  5. Beau Benzschawel, IOL

Draft Four:

  1. Jerry Tillery, IDL
  2. Michael Deiter, OT
  3. Khalen Saunders, IDL
  4. Darius Slayton, WR
  5. Will Grier, QB

Draft Five:

  1. Jerry Tillery, IDL
  2. Juan Thornhill, S
  3. Andy Isabella, WR
  4. Dennis Daley, OT
  5. Isaiah Prince, OT

Having to draft an interior defensive lineman in the first round every time, I was often left with either Tillery or reaching for someone like Renell Wren. Only once did I not choose Tillery, and that was because Simmons fell to No. 28, so I opted to do something different and select him instead. Unfortunately, and much to my dismay, Christian Wilkins never made it to No. 28 in the simulation.

One of the most frustrating parts of being forced to take an interior defensive lineman early is watching solid talent in the later rounds at the same position be taken. Why take Tillery when you can double down on good prospects at the same position later on?

The biggest problem was trying to find a good offensive tackle following this selection. With Tillery now the starter on the defensive line, the pressure was on the next four picks to find an opening day starter at right tackle. There are great prospects in the second and third round, but many were taken before the Chargers had a chance to get them. Greg Little, who projects more as a left tackle, was gone early in the second, and Tytus Howard was always gone before their selection in the third round. Guys like Edwards or Deiter need time to develop into starters, but how long can Philip Rivers wait?

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