LA Chargers mock draft after falling to nine: Caleb Farley in the first round
By Jason Reed
Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports – LA Chargers
With the 73rd overall pick, the LA Chargers select Zion Johnson, G, Boston College
The LA Chargers continue patching up their offensive line and take Boston College left guard Zion Johnson with the 73rd overall pick in the draft. Johnson is not an elite interior offensive lineman prospect, but the gap between him and the next best at this point in the draft is noticeable and the Chargers should not put off the position.
Johnson is a really exciting guard that has shown (mostly) positive signs at the NCAA level. He is a physical brute that plays whistle to whistle and has been proficient in the passing game, which is obviously the most important thing.
The hope is that Johnson and Radunz could man the left side with the veterans Trai Turner (if he is not cut) and Bryan Bulaga on the right side. Re-sign Forrest Lamp and whoever else for depth.
With the 97th overall pick, the LA Chargers select Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
The LA Chargers are going to need to replace Melvin Ingram in the defense and Myjai Sanders with the team’s complementary third-round pick could replace him.
Sanders has been really good for Cincinnati this season. In nine games he has 10.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and five passes defended. He has some holes in his game, but in the Chargers’ defense, he would fit in nicely.
Scouting reports project Sanders to be just a weakside defensive end in a 4-3 scheme, which is perfect with Joey Bosa playing on the strong side. Sanders also projects to be much better in the pass rush compared to against the run, as he is a speed (not strength) edge prospect.
Sanders splitting snaps with Uchenna Nwosu is a pretty solid outlook for the position.