Final Thoughts:
- If I’m Tom Telesco, I’m getting my offensive lineman early. If it’s a guard at No. 28, that’s fine, because it puts less pressure on the team to find a tackle on Day Two because at least some improvement was made on the line. If it’s a tackle, likely Risner, then the Chargers have a plug-and-play guy who can start immediately.
- If, however, Christian Wilkins falls to No. 28, scrap thought one, and take him.
- If point two doesn’t happen, and it’s unlikely, find your defensive interior guy in the third round.
- Since you’re taking an offensive lineman in the first round, and an interior defensive lineman in the third, draft a safety in the second round. Patience can reward you there.
- If the Chargers opt to go free safety in the first round, the second round must be an offensive lineman, and a double-down on offensive line needs to happen early on Day Three.
If I were betting on a selection at No. 28, it would be Dalton Risner. It fits a need, it’s an early starter, it allows the team to explore the safety depth in round two and defensive tackle depth in round three, and hey, Risner is a pretty good player to get.
The problem with not taking a tackle like Risner at No. 28 is watching every subsequent tackle prospect be drafted earlier than the Chargers’ next pick. Kaleb McGary will go earlier than 60, Tytus Howard before 91, and Chuma Edoga before 130. If they don’t want to be chasing a tackle the entire draft (and there are more than the three I listed, obviously) they will have to take one early.
Anyway, those are the 25 mock draft simulations. What would be your favorite format, and do you have a favorite player you’re hoping to grab at No. 28? Sound off below. Thanks for reading!