4 mistakes the LA Chargers must avoid making in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Jason Reed
3. The LA Chargers drafting an edge rusher before a tackle and corner
As already mentioned, the LA Chargers have several roster needs heading into the 2021 NFL Draft, one of which being edge rusher. Melvin Ingram is a free agent this offseason and the overall outlook of the front seven is not as promising as it has been before.
There is also the possibility of the team switching to a 3-4 defenes and if so they need more depth at outside linebacker. Uchenna Nwosu and Kyler Fackrell are the only outside linebackers the team has and Fackrell is mostly a rotational player.
However, the Chargers can still make it work with what they have. They definitely need to address the position, but they do not need an elite draft prospect. Get someone in the mid-rounds that can be part of that rotation with Nwosu and Fackrell. There is no need for a marquee guy.
There are two main reasons for this logic. First is the fact that the team still has Joey Bosa, which is naturally going to generate more pass rush for the team, making up for any holes. Second is that Brandon Staley has been great defensively everywhere he has coached and he can make more out of a mid-round pick than he can a mid-round tackle.
The first two picks, in either order, should be tackle and cornerback. Then go after the third biggest need (still not a receiver).