Daniel Jeremiah, an NFL Analyst and radio color commentator for the Los Angeles Chargers, has released the second version of his annual mock draft. Over the past three seasons, he's predicted the Chargers' first round selection correctly every time.
Yet his choice, tight end Kenyon Sadiq out of Oregon, is quite a surprising one. The Chargers have dire needs on both their offensive and defensive lines, and most mock drafts have them slated to address that in the first round.
These things, however, can always be tended to in free agency. Perhaps the temptation of adding another offensive weapon for Mike McDaniel to scheme around will prove to be too great.
Sadiq is not totally out of the realm of possibility. Given Jeremiah's track record, is it truly possible that Los Angeles shocks the league with their first-round selection?
Chargers predicted to nab TE Kenyon Sadiq in the first round
The Chargers' most clear need this offseason is on the interior of their offensive line. Both Bradley Bozeman and Mekhi Becton are clear candidates to be cut, and it is likely that one of them will need to be replaced through the draft.
As a result, many mock drafts have Los Angeles slated to select guard Olaivavega Ioane out of Penn State with their selection at 22nd overall. There's also the option of center Connor Lew out of Auburn at that spot.
But Jeremiah makes a compelling case for Sadiq. In his Junior season at Oregon, the draft class's top tight end amassed 560 yards and eight touchdowns on 51 receptions. He projects as an adequate blocker and a dynamic pass-catcher at the next level.
What makes this pick so surprising is that the Chargers already have an emergent young tight end in Oronde Gadsden II. After beginning 2025 as a healthy scratch, Gadsden amassed 664 yards and three touchdowns on 49 receptions.
Yet with the viability of Will Dissly and Tucker Fisk in question, perhaps it makes sense to add another tight end this offseason.
Doing so at such a high spot in the draft, however, would represent a very real slight upon Gadsden. Sadiq would likely take on a larger share of the snaps given his blocking ability, meaning that Gadsden would be usurped in the depth chart after an astounding rookie campaign.
Nevertheless, it's hard to doubt Jeremiah's predictions. If the Chargers indeed go for Sadiq in the first round, we now have very little reason to see it as a surprise.