One NFL Draft prospect has consistently topped the chart of potential LA Chargers first-round draft picks: Michigan tight end Colston Loveland. With a need at tight end and a connection to head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Loveland selection writes itself.
There is just one problem: Loveland is one of two very talented tight ends (alongside Tyler Warren) in a draft class that is rather thin. There is a real case to be made that Loveland is one of the 10 most talented players in the draft class, which makes it hard to imagine him slipping to pick No. 22.
However, the Chargers do have some hope and it comes via an unconventional source. According to NFL insider Benjamin Allbright, there are multiple teams in the league that view Loveland's medicals as a concern.
Traditionally, medical concerns would be viewed as a bad thing. For the Chargers, they may be a good thing.
Colston Loveland could fall to Chargers at 22 if medical concerns are true
Loveland had surgery on his shoulder in January and while the surgeon provided a letter to all 32 teams that Loveland will be available for training camp, there still may be lingering concerns.
Loveland dislocated his shoulder last season and only missed one game for the Wolverines. While the injury and surgery could theoretically bleed into training camp, it is not a long-term injury that will hamper his production.
This is a classic case of NFL teams overthinking medicals and the Chargers should take advantage of it. Every year in the draft fans see countless talented prospects fall much farther than they should have because of injury concerns. And so many times, those prospects work out.
Just look at Derwin James. The entire reason he fell was injury concerns and now he is one of the best safeties in the league. Sure, he suffered two injuries early in his career, but those injuries didn't happen because of his college injuries.
Plus, even with those injuries, James has been far more impactful than anyone else the Chargers could have taken. Not a single defensive player taken after James has earned an All-Pro nod.
The Chargers shouldn't pass on five-plus years of a legitimate top-tier tight end because he might have a slow start to his rookie season. After all, the entire reason the Chargers signed Tyler Conklin was as Loveland insurance in case he didn't fall to 22 or needed more time to recover.
Some teams may be concerned with Loveland's medicals and will allow him to fall in the draft as a result. The buck should stop with the Chargers.