LA Chargers: A mock draft typical of Tom Telesco

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers is congratulated by his teammates after an interception against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers is congratulated by his teammates after an interception against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 27: Austin Jackson #73 of the USC Trojans blocks A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half of the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 27, 2019, in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 27: Austin Jackson #73 of the USC Trojans blocks A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half of the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 27, 2019, in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Round 2, Pick 37: Austin Jackson, offensive tackle, USC

In the second round, Telesco goes…..with a likely contributor at a position of need.

While Telesco hasn’t always been perfect in the second round, he has frequently gotten immediate contributors such as Hunter Henry, Denzel Perryman, and Uchenna Nwosu. Here, Telesco attempts to solve one of the offensive line problems without using a first-round pick.

Austin Jackson is an unpolished talent, having only started in 12 games in his career. However, Jackson has elite size and strength for the position at 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds.

While he can be inconsistent at times, Jackson has shown the ability to beat some of college football’s best edge rushers.

Watch USC LT Austin Jackson’s hand replacement… Epenesa knocks one down, replace!! Beautiful stuff

Thoughts on this kid… @BigDuke50 @geoffschwartz @BrandonThornNFL @BigWillie7179 pic.twitter.com/aQ3I5rNnIV

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) January 24, 2020

The Chargers may need to be a bit lucky for Jackson to fall down this far, but if he does, Telesco should be running to the podium to scoop up the athletic tackle. Jackson could start immediately at right tackle and provide more insurance at left tackle in the event that Russell Okung faces more medical issues next season.

Round 3, Pick 71: Keith Ismael, interior offensive lineman, San Diego State

In the third round, Telesco goes…..off the board.

Beyond his decision to draft Allen, Telesco has been extremely unpredictable in the third round. Most recently, this was highlighted by his willingness to select developmental prospect Trey Pipkins III even though Pipkins himself was stunned to be drafted on day two.

This shows that Telesco does not care what your board says. If he sees a player that he wants with qualities he likes, he will take him no matter what.

In this mock, Telesco knows he needs help on the interior of the offensive line at each position. Even if the reliable (if unspectacular) Michael Schofield is brought back in free agency, the center position is questionable with a major injury to Mike Pouncey, and the left guard position needs an upgrade over the poor-performing Dan Feeney and the oft-injured Forrest Lamp.

To solve all of these issues, Telesco selects the versatile Keith Ismael. Ismael has played all three interior offensive line positions in college, and his position at the NFL level is unclear.

While Ismael is further down most people’s boards than the third round (projected to be an early day 3 pick), he has earned first-team all-Mountain West honors the past two years and is a legit prospect.

Ismael has developmental potential and first what Telesco has been selecting in the third round.