7-round Chargers mock draft with a first-round tight end selected
By Jason Reed
With the 200th pick, the LA Chargers select Matt Landers, WR, Arkansas
The Chargers need more than just one receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft unless they plan on signing a veteran for depth. Unfortunately for the Bolts, the options on the market to sign are not really great, which points every arrow toward a day three receiver.
Matt Landers would be a fun gamble for the team to take to potentially be a Jalen Guyton replacement. While Landers' route tree was not diverse and you could pick apart his technique, the fact of the matter is that he is six-foot-three and runs a 4.37 40-yard dash.
If the team has any doubts about Guyton's ability to return from his ACL injury then replacing him with Landers is not a bad idea.
With the 239th pick, the Chargers select Mohamoud Diabate, LB, Utah
Here is your Drue Tranquill replacement. Mohamoud Diabate obviously will not play up to the level of Tranquill right away and it will take years for him to develop (and he may never reach Tranquill's level) but as a player, he fits in the same mold as Tranquill.
Diabate is built to be a WILL that can hold his own in man coverage and has shown the ability to get to the passer in unique blitz packages both in between the tackle and on the edges. Sound familiar? He run defense is that of a point-and-shoot defender but he can still be effective if used properly.
Diabate won't play much in his rookie season but he will be able to add a promising special teams presence just like Tranquill did in his rookie season.