LA Chargers select Patrick Surtain in first 2021 mock draft

In the fourth round, the LA Chargers select…

Brenton Cox is a bit of a complicated prospect. He was a highly recruited outside linebacker when he came to Georgia. His 2018 season was pretty awesome as he put up a lot of pressures. Josh Allen and Anthony Barr (edge Barr) were and still are being brought up as prospects at the next level.

That Florida Gator logo you see next to his name isn’t a mistake though. Cox was dismissed from Georgia’s football team and entered the transfer portal following a marijuana arrest in April 2019. His career in Gainesville started this season.

Teams will have some hesitation in taking a prospect that missed a year mostly due to a disciplinary issue that forced him into the transfer portal. As ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith says…you know the thing.

Watching Cox at Florida though, I see a player that’s worth taking a risk on with some off the field issues. Cox is one of the highest graded players on the Florida defense. He’s tied for third most quarterback pressures in the SEC and closes in fast, usually within just a few seconds.

https://twitter.com/BenFennell_NFL/status/1324367934584721409

If the Chargers are looking to replace Melvin Ingram, the speed and skill of Cox combined with Nwosu on the side opposite Bosa is appealing if you’re not taking an edge rusher early. High impact plays at the line and proficiency at the point of attack are great qualities to have for a rookie OLB/DE.

In the fifth round, the LA Chargers select…

The fourth or fifth round is where Tyler Vrabel would be picked if he entered the draft in 2021. I have my doubts about him not staying at least another year in school, but crazier things have happened. When doing a mock draft in November, December, or even January, it’s hard to say which prospects will choose to stay in school if they’re not seniors.

After already taking Leatherwood as a refined prospect, doubling up on offensive tackle with a project for depth purposes makes sense. Unlike the selection of Trey Pipkins though, I don’t think Vrabel is really a project. It’s more just getting reps and college playing time than trying to improve one skills. He’s already quite effective as a pass and run blocker with good force at the point of attack.

Good fundamentals and strength run in the family here, as you might’ve guessed by his name. Vrabel is in fact the son of 14 year NFL vet and Titans’ coach Mike Vrabel.

Vrabel’s feet and body movements are also slick. The Chargers have struggled in recent years with quick movements and pulls.