LA Chargers mock draft: Bolts reinvent defense for Brandon Staley

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: Defensive Lineman Quincy Roche #55 from Miami of the American Team during the 2021 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: Defensive Lineman Quincy Roche #55 from Miami of the American Team during the 2021 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) – LA Chargers
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) – LA Chargers /

With the 47th overall pick, the LA Chargers select Asante Samuel Jr, CB, FSU

Asante Samuel Jr. should be the pick for the LA Chargers at 47. He projects to go in the mid-second round and he is a very talented corner who is capable of starting right away on the outside for the Bolts.

Getting Jaycee Horn in the first round would be very exciting but so would getting Samuel in the second. Horn is obviously the better prospect, but in the right scheme with the right coaches (which the Chargers seemingly have) the difference between the two in the NFL may not be as high as expected.

Samuel projects to be more valuable in man coverage coming out of college and the Chargers are likely to run more man coverage with Staley managing the defense. Not only is he is a fit in that regard, but he is an outside cornerback who also showed the ability to play, and play well, in the slot.

MORE: Predicting the AFC West standings after free agency

Brandon Staley’s defense is all about versatility and Samuel gives the Bolts a solid young outside corner that can also help on the inside if needed.

Offensive tackle and cornerback should be the first two picks no matter what. I am not totally against corner in round one, like I said, as long as the Chargers can get Eichenberg or Radunz in the second.

What some people are overlooking is that if the team takes a receiver in round one it only pushes back every single other position. Suddenly, the team would not be getting as good of a tackle prospect and then they would have to take a corner in round three, which is not as good of an outlook.

And then the team might not be able to draft this fan-favorite with the 77th overall pick.