LA Chargers mock draft if the Bolts make a mistake and pick receiver at 13

With the 13th overall pick, the LA Chargers select Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama

In this particular mock draft, Devonta Smith was the one that fell to the LA Chargers and I can confirm that the other three prospects previously mentioned were all off the board.

While the idea of Smith with Justin Herbert is exciting, I just do not like the value of taking a receiver this high in the draft. First of all, the team is doing a pick in the first half of the first round on a player that should be fourth in targets in his rookie season.

Second of all, there is so much receiver value elsewhere in the draft whereas there is not as much value at cornerback and tackle later in the draft. Those positions go early, and for a reason. That is true this year and it is true historically as well.

Seven Pro Bowl OL taken in the first round since 2015.

Eight Pro Bowl CB taken in the first round since 2015.

Two Pro Bowl WR taken in the first round since 2015.

— Bolt Beat (@BB_Chargers) April 14, 2021

Following up that tweet, there are seven Pro Bowl wide receivers taken in the second round in the same timeframe compared to the two taken in the first round. There are also four Pro Bowl receivers taken in rounds 3-4 in that span, no Pro Bowl offensive linemen and only one Pro Bowl corner.

Yes, Pro Bowls are flawed because of the fan voting but it is no secret that receiver value runs deep in the draft. It is poor value to pick a receiver this early when the team does not have the luxury to do so. The rest of this mock draft illustrates that.