With the 47th overall pick, the LA Chargers select Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
The LA Chargers have to address the offensive line next. Yes, the team made improvements to the offensive line this offseason but there are two important things to keep in mind. First is that the team does not have a single tangible option to start at left tackle unless you are comfortable with Storm Norton or Trey Pipkins (you shouldn’t be).
Second is the fact that those signings the team made are not guaranteed to be successful. Corey Linsley should be good while Matt Feiler is a serviceable guard that was simply good value. Oday Aboushi, while I like him, had a good half-season. That does not guarantee anything.
The hope for Chargers fans is that the team can get Liam Eichenberg or Dillon Radunz in the second round if they draft a receiver in round one and that was not the case in this mock. It likely won’t be the case in the real draft as well.
Instead, they get Jalen Mayfield, who is not someone who I am particularly in love with but he is the best remaining tackle prospect. First of all, Mayfield is a right tackle prospect, not a left tackle prospect. And while that seems trivial, the jump from the right to the left side, as a rookie, is not an easy one.
Mayfield has potential, but he does not have a lot of experience and there are going to be hiccups along the way. He is someone who is primed to struggle in his rookie season, which is not what the LA Chargers need.
If you have watched film on Mayfield and like him then you will like this pick. Personally, I am not a big fan.