Second-round cornerback target for the LA Chargers: Elijah Molden, Washington
It is really easy to guess that the LA Chargers are going to take a cornerback in the second round that they can plug on the outside along with Michael Davis. But what if the team doesn’t do that? What if the team falls in love with a different prospect, despite the positional fit, and goes with what they think is the best available?
If that happens then the pick the Chargers could make is Elijah Molden. It would be interesting, and seemingly go against what the team needs, but Brandon Staley and co. would obviously have a plan with Molden.
It is not hard to fall in love with Molden’s game. He is exceptional at reading opposing quarterbacks and has great ball skills to force turnovers. He is also very athletic, running a 4.51 40-yard dash with a 37-inch vertical.
Molden has everything you want in a cornerback. The competitiveness, the instincts, the football IQ to make plays happen. The only thing about him is his size. He is undersized, especially in the NFL, and likely cannot be used consistently on the outside.
Molden is going to be an exceptional slot corner and nickel safety at the NFL level. If there is a free agent cornerback the Chargers like to play outside, or perhaps they feel fine with Chris Harris playing outside, then Molden could be the pick.
He is so toolsy for a prospect and he is going to be good right away. While I do not think it is the most likely thing, don’t be surprised if Brandon Staley falls in love with Molden’s skillset and figures out how the secondary can fit around him later.