The Los Angeles Chargers' draft needs are crystal clear as the offseason rounds into form. They need to add bodies to the trenches, cementing their depth on the interior of both the offensive and defensive lines.
Their first and even their second-round selections must go towards this goal. Perhaps Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane will be available at 22nd overall. If not, they can go the route of Peter Woods or Caleb Banks.
Either way, they must use their premier draft capital to address their greatest needs. But after that they have an opportunity to get creative with their selections.
Although they are missing their fifth and seventh-round picks in this year's draft, they have a fourth-round and two sixth-round selections to work with. If the right opportunity presents itself, it could be time to add a weapon to Justin Herbert's arsenal.
This could come in the form of an additional blocking and pass-catching tight end. But if wide receiver Brenen Thompson out of Mississippi State is still available in the fourth round, they could have a chance too good to pass up.
Brenen Thompson could be the speedy complement the Chargers need
For wide receivers, the passing drills are easily the most important part of the combine. But no receiver performed more impressively in the pure athleticism drills than Thompson did.
He led all receivers with a 4.26-second 40-yard dash, the third-fastest ever recorded by a player of his position at the combine. For reference, Xavier Worthy posted a 4.21-second time in 2024. While Thompson did not compete in any of the other timed drills, this performance alone is enough to put him on many team's radars.
The appeal doesn't just show in the sterilized environment of the combine. In his senior season at Mississippi State, he led the entire SEC with 1,054 receiving yards, amassing 57 receptions and six touchdowns on the year.
His primary value is as a downfield threat, taking the top off the defense and stretching the field with his speed and ability to fly off the line against press coverage.
Los Angeles has a strong mix of receivers in Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, and Keenan Allen. By no means are they an overly sluggish team on that front.
But they don't truly have the speed threat to make space for these players on intermediate throws. If Thompson is available in the middle rounds, he could bring exactly that skill-set as the Chargers attempt to reinvigorate their offensive scheme under Mike McDaniel.
Most mock drafts have him slated for the fourth or fifth round. Perhaps he'd be worth a swing if Los Angeles was able to address their most dire needs in free agency and the earlier rounds of the draft.