LA Chargers mock draft: Trading up for Penei Sewell if he falls to 7
By Jason Reed
With the 159th overall pick, the LA Chargers select Joshuah Bledsoe, DB, Missouri
Notice a trend, yet? Outside of Sewell, the LA Chargers’ three selections in this mock draft are all defensive players who participated in the Senior Bowl. Brandon Staley needs to start building his version of the defense and we know that Tom Telesco loves Senior Bowl standouts.
Joshuah Bledsoe is essentially a replacement for Desmond King. While the Chargers already addressed the cornerback position, Bledsoe is a versatile defensive back who may not play much in his rookie season but can blossom into an important part of the defense.
Bledsoe is best used in nickel and dime packages and while he is listed as a safety and technically played safety at the collegiate level he is not likely to do so in the NFL. While he provides good safety depth and can definitely hold his own in split zone coverage if he is next to someone like Derwin James, his real value is going to come at slot corner.
Just like Desmond King.
Bledsoe also showed more potential in man coverage than in zone coverage, which fits the M-O that Staley is after. So while the ceiling with Bledsoe may not be as high, he checks the two most important boxes in being good in man coverage as well as being versatile.
He should not play much with Chris Harris still in the secondary but it is important for the LA Chargers to start building this depth and give the team someone they can trust next season when Harris leaves.