The Los Angeles Chargers, more than anything else this offseason, need to replenish the interior of their offensive line.
There are other, more flashy positions they could target with their first-round draft capital. But their projected selection has been relatively clear from the start of this current draft cycle.
Right guard Olaivavega Ioane out of Penn State is essentially the only first-round interior lineman in the draft class, and it would make complete sense for the Chargers to select him at 22nd overall if they get the opportunity.
But Ioane's on-field performance at the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday could throw a wrench in things.
Ioane might not be athletic enough to compete in a Mike McDaniel offense
Naturally, it's easy to overreact to numbers and testing at the Combine. They're highly visible, and the NFL has done its best to make a spectacle out of the event.
It's important to remember, though, that performing athletically in a sterilized environment and winning football games are two very different things. When a player's testing matches concerns about him that came up in the scouting process, however, there's reason to take that seriously.
Ioane only competed in the vertical jump and the broad jump on Sunday, but his measurements in both were sub-par. He completed just a 31.5" vertical jump (19th among all participating linemen) and and an 8'8" broad jump (33rd among participants).
For Ioane, his biggest knock in this draft cycle has been his lack of athleticism. Although he is a reliable protector, he struggles to work his man out into space and move from his spot to pick up stunts.
In a Mike McDaniel offense, which places an emphasis on outside-zone runs, the offensive linemen must be able to get out wide and block to free up angles for the running back. It's in part why Mekhi Becton is likely to be released this offseason.
Would Los Angeles truly want to spend a first-round pick on a guard they don't see immediately fitting into their new system? At the very least, it merits some consideration.
If the Chargers were to instead wait and target a center in the second or third round, they could then address their guard problem in free agency. This would free them up to draft someone like, say, dominant tight end Kenyon Sadiq out of Oregon in the first. Or a tantalizing defensive tackle like Peter Woods or Caleb Banks.
It all comes down to what Los Angeles' scouting department truly thinks of Ioane and if they believe they have better options in free agency. But Ioane's performance at the Combine certainly gives reason to pause and reflect.