Grading Chargers’ selection of Trey Pipkins

On Friday night, offensive lineman Trey Pipkins became the first non-kicker to ever be drafted out of Sioux Falls.

This is a developmental pick for the Los Angeles Chargers, who will stash Pipkins any way they can until he’s absolutely ready to play. Or at least that’s what they should do.

Pipkins only allowed two sacks in 43 career games, but that may be a bit misleading based on the level of competition. You likely won’t recognize any of the teams he played against last season.

That said, you can’t teach size and at six-foot-six, Pipkins is a big, athletic offensive lineman with a world of potential. He has a coachable technique and if he pans out, Tom Telesco will look like a genius for making this pick.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com even shows how uncertain this pick could be by handing Pipkins a fourth-round grade but then going on to say that he’ll likely start his career on the practice squad.

More from Bolt Beat

• LA Chargers: 3 early takeaways from 2021 minicamp thus far
• LA Chargers: Drue Tranquill takes a jab at Gus Bradley’s defense
• LA Chargers second-year players: Nothing to lose and a lot to gain
• LA Chargers: Why running back could be a big issue for the Bolts
• LA Chargers: Chris Rumph’s upside is Melvin Ingram-like, but better

It’s hard to knock Telesco after he made two tremendous picks in the first two rounds. In addition, the Chargers needed help on the offensive line and that was addressed. But was it addressed properly?

That is a positional need that needs to be addressed immediately. Pipkins almost certainly won’t play right away and for all his potential, Yodny Cajuste, a likely safer pick, was still on the board. Why not take him rather than a developmental guy who may not ever actually develop?

The Chargers have still had a solid draft to this point, but this pick was the classic example of a reach. Pipkins would have still been there in the fourth round, probably in the fifth round and probably… well you get it.

Grade: C+