LA Chargers mock draft: Trading up for Penei Sewell if he falls to 7
By Jason Reed
With the 77th overall pick, the LA Chargers select: Ifeatu Melifonwu
It is important that the LA Chargers make the right selection with the 77th overall pick if they trade the 47th overall pick to move up for Penei Sewell. Cornerback is still a huge need for the Bolts and it is imperative that they draft someone who could start right away on the outside.
Head coach Brandon Staley said in his recent press conference that he values cornerbacks who can play man coverage in any situation. Staley also commented that he values versatility and someone who they can move around pre-snap, which we already knew from his defense with the Los Angeles Rams.
Melinfonwu is not the perfect prospect in regards to what Staley is looking for but he is a pretty good fit. He has elite size for an outside cornerback and that is going to translate well into press coverage at the next level. He is a capable tackler as well, which is important for Staley and the Chargers.
There is room to grow with Melinfonwu in playing off-coverage but that is something that can be developed and masked in Staley’s defense. He is not quite as exciting as Asante Samuel, who could be a second-round target, but he is more than capable of giving the Chargers what they need out of a rookie cornerback.