It's a lot more difficult to pinpoint who the LA Chargers are going to draft with the 22nd pick this year than it was with the fifth pick last year. There are many more variables at play as the Chargers are subject to the 21 selections that happen before they are on the clock.
The dream selection for the Bolts is Michigan tight end Colston Loveland. Loveland would fill a position of need and has the tools to instantly be one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the sport. The Chargers aren't the only team that could benefit from Loveland, though, so he may be taken in the first 21 picks.
Just because Loveland is a tight end does not mean the Chargers need to go tight end or bust in the first round. While the initial glance at the big board shows no other first-round tight ends, late developments in the draft process are opening the door for the Chargers to make a careless mistake.
Daniel Jeremiah, who does color commentary for Chargers radio, said Friday that LSU tight end Mason Taylor is an, "emerging player" and that he thinks Taylor will be selected in the back-half of the first round.
The 22nd overall pick is in the back-half of the first round.
Chargers drafting Mason Taylor in the first round would be a costly mistake
Taylor is a talented tight end who has real developmental pass-catching traits. If the Chargers were to land Taylor in the third round it would be a delight. Heck, there is even a case to be made about the second round if other prospects are off the board.
Taking Taylor in the first round would be a mistake. His pass-catching traits are exciting, but he still is not as far along as Loveland to warrant a first-round pick. Additionally, Taylor's game will be limited early on by his struggles as an in-line blocker.
There's just so much better the Chargers can get in the first round and it would be a shame to see the team pigeonhole itself into one position. Drafting for need, instead of outright talent, gets you in a lot of trouble in the NFL Draft.
Thankfully, general manager Joe Hortiz is on the record in saying he drafts best player available. Additionally, the Chargers signing tight end Tyler Conklin already showed that the team is preparing for a situation in which it doesn't get a first-round tight end.
But with Jeremiah's connections to the Chargers, and his latest comments, this doomsday scenario cannot be completely ruled out.