It is unclear exactly what the LA Chargers are going to do with the 21st pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, making it difficult to construct full Chargers mock drafts that will be accurate.
With that being said, we here at Bolt Beat have crafted various different Chargers mock drafts that see the team going in different directions in round one. As you can see by each of these mocks, there are common trends but is also creates a different outlook for the draft as a whole.
After looking at a Chargers mock draft with a first-round tight end, in this week's edition, we break down what the Bolts' draft class could look like if they take a wide receiver in round one. We used Pro Football Focus' Mock Draft Simulator to put together this draft.
Chargers mock draft, pick 21: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Jordan Addison might not be the most exciting potential draft pick as he does not add game-breaking speed to the Chargers' roster but he might be the safest bet. Out of all the potential late-first-round receivers, Addison certainly has the highest floor.
There are also legitimate ties between Addison and the Chargers coaching staff from his time with Pitt. Combine the fact that the Chargers need receiver depth and have ties to Addison and it might seem like a no-brainer that he will be the pick at 21.
Addison would give the Chargers a fourth NFL-caliber wide receiver with a lesser role as the WR4 in year one. However, he would blossom into a bigger role in year two once Mike Williams and/or Keenan Allen leave the team next offseason.