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Look for Chargers to draft a safety or offensive tackle with second pick

By Matt Pagels

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 25: Offensive lineman Cody Ford #74 and tight end Grant Calcaterra #80 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrate a touchdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated West Virginia 59-31. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 25: Offensive lineman Cody Ford #74 and tight end Grant Calcaterra #80 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrate a touchdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated West Virginia 59-31. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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After taking Notre Dame DT Jerry Tillery in the first round, the Chargers filled one of their top three needs. Look for them to address the other two positions–free safety and offensive tackle–on Day 2.

The Chargers made the right choice and drafted Notre Dame’s Jerry Tillery with the No. 28 overall pick. With Corey Liuget, Darius Philon and Damion Square no longer on the team, the Chargers needed to find a starter at the 3-tech, and they did just that. The athletic Tillery is considered a top-15 talent and will be a disruptive force in the middle.

Now, all eyes should be on the offensive linemen and safeties. I wouldn’t rule out a corner should Greedy Williams and Byron Murphy continue to fall. There’s a ton of Day 1 starters and I wouldn’t be upset if the Chargers moved up in the draft to grab one of the names listed below:

That said, here are several names that should be on the Chargers’ radar in the second round of the 2019 draft (no particular order):

DELAWARE S NASIR ADDERLEY: I had a good feeling the Chargers would take Tillery, but I also made a case for drafting Adderley. The Delaware product would start right away at free safety. He has the range, instincts and balls skills teams covet. Not only that, but he’s versatile, having experience at corner and as a returner.

FLORIDA S CHAUNCEY GARDNER-JOHNSON: Versatility is what comes to mind when talking Gardner-Johnson. He’s a free safety who can be moved all over the field, just how 2018 first-rounder Derwin James is a strong safety who can be moved all over the field. Scouts say he doesn’t have the greatest instincts, but that he has the size, speed and athleticism you want in a safety.

VIRGINIA S JUAN THORNHILL: Thornhill, who played corner and safety, is a three-year starter who comes with a ton of production (208 total tackles, 26 pass deflections, 13 interceptions. He also crushed it at the combine with a 4.42 40-yard dash, 44-inch vertical leap, 11-foot-9 broad jump and 21 reps on the bench press.

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OKLAHOMA OL CODY FORD & FLORIDA OL JAWAAN TAYLOR: Ford and Taylor are one of the best offensive linemen in this draft. Don’t know how they are still available, but the Chargers should jump on this opportunity immediately. ‘Nuff said.

KANSAS STATE OL DALTON RISNER: Risner is a player who has been linked to the Chargers often. Risner was a four-year starter who has the versatility to play tackle, guard and center–and you know Tom Telesco loves a do-it-all lineman. Philip Rivers needs to be kept upright. According to Pro Football Focus, Risner allowed just 29 pressures on 1,490 pass-blocking attempts. Sign me up.

MISSISSIPPI OL GREG LITTLE & WEST VIRGINIA OL YODNY CAJUSTE: Pass protection has been an issue for the Chargers. According to PFF, both Little and Cajuste have allowed less than 30 pressures (roughly 900-1,000 pass-blocking snaps) over their last two seasons. If you want to protect Rivers, draft one of these guys. You could put Northern Illinois’ Max Scharping in this category, too.

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