LA Chargers: 4 mistakes that must be avoided this offseason

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: Wide receiver Mike Williams #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers warms up during the NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chargers defeated the Raiders in overtime 30-27. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: Wide receiver Mike Williams #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers warms up during the NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chargers defeated the Raiders in overtime 30-27. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) – LA Chargers
(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) – LA Chargers /

2. Not drafting offensive linemen early in the 2021 NFL Draft

The LA Chargers have drafted just one offensive lineman in the first round since Tom Telesco took over as the general manager in 2013 — D.J. Fluker, who was an okay prospect but was not fantastic and was drafted all the way back in 2013.

Heck, Telesco has only drafted one second-round offensive lineman as well — Forrest Lamp, who was one of the best tackle prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft and was moved to the interior because of his arm size. Fun.

The Chargers have to protect Justin Herbert. Herbert was under significant pressure in 2020 and while he was statistically better under pressure, that is not something that is sustainable in the long-term.

It is time for the Chargers to draft a first-round offensive lineman. There is no other huge need that is worth taking over the offensive line, so no, let’s please not flirt with the idea of drafting a wide receiver or edge rusher.

At 13, the Chargers are in a prime position to draft either tackles Rashawn Slater or Samuel Cosmi or they could take the best interior offensive lineman in the draft, Wyatt Davis.

Personally, with four picks in the first three rounds, I think the bare minimum for the Chargers is two offensive linemen in the first three rounds.