Chargers shockingly take linebacker earlier than expected, draft Daiyan Henley at 85
By Jason Reed
The LA Chargers selected TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston with the 21st overall pick on Thursday night and then took USC defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu with the 54th overall pick in the second round.
While the prospects themselves may have surprised Chargers fans, the positions that the team took were not as surprising. Heading into the draft, the expectation was that the Chargers would take a receiver and edge rusher at some point in the first three picks.
Not many people had the team taking a linebacker in the first two days of the draft and that is exactly what Tom Telesco did, taking Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley with the 85th overall pick.
Chargers draft Daiyan Henley much earlier than fans expected
The Chargers lost Drue Tranquill to free agency this offseason but replaced him with Eric Kenrdicks. Kenneth Murray is in his last year under contract and while there were long-term question marks, it seemed much more likely that the Chargers would take a linebacker on day three.
That being said, it is not hard to see why the Chargers may have sold themselves on Henley. Henley was a highly productive player in college and is coming into the league with a lot of experience as a redshirt senior.
Henley is a bit on the older side for a rookie as he will turn 24 during the 2023 season but it makes sense for what the Chargers need. The team needs someone who can come in right away and play a role and the Bolts are going to get that out of a 24-year-old before they are going to get it out of a 21-year-old.
While it is not hard to sell yourself on Henley, the selection itself is still head-scratching. Darnell Washington was still on the board and the Chargers could have also addressed other areas of the defense. This is the same team that did not value the position enough to pay Kyzir White or Drue Tranquill $3 million, but will use a third-round pick without thinking twice.
What do you think, Bolt Fam? Let us know in the comments down below.