3 way-too-early first-round draft needs for the Chargers in 2023

2. Interior defensive line

The run defense was a problem for the LA Chargers in 2021 and it has continued to be a problem in 2022. Despite adding Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson, the Chargers are still dead last in average yards allowed per carry this season.

The depth of the position is being seriously tested right now after the team waived Jerry Tillery and saw Johnson, Otito Ogbonnia and Christian Covington fall to injury. And while Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson are under contract next season, the Bolts would benefit from a first-round defensive tackle to be a valuable rotation piece in 2023 and an impact starter after that.

Joey Bosa getting hurt certainly didn't help but the fact of the matter is that the Chargers have not been able to generate pressure on the quarterback rushing four this season. Teams have been able to take Khalil Mack out of the game plan and without any great pass rushers inside, the Chargers have been unable to counter that.

Getting a true interior pass rusher to be what the team thought Jerry Tillery was going to be would be fantastic. Drafting a defensive tackle in the first round typically is not the best value-wise but if there is someone the team likes in the mid-to-late round they should not turn away from them.

There is a crop of really good interior defensive linemen at the top of the draft and then there is a bit of a gap until we get into the later rounds. If one of those elite defensive linemen fall, such as Jalen Carter or Bryan Breese, it would be worth the selection.