Draft prospects Chargers fans must watch closely in National Championship

Broderick Jones | UGA OT

Whether or not Georgia LT Broderick Jones is still on the board by the time LAC picks at 25 remains a mystery. However, if he is, it would be a solid investment.

Jones sits at #24 on consensus big boards, and his stock only continues to grow with UGA's prowess on college football's national stage.

The former basketball star didn't take football seriously until later on in high school, but his investment on the turf has paid dividends. At 6'4 310 pounds, he's a unit that can also move within his stature.

Impressive for Jones to account for 0 sacks this season, according to PFF data.

RT Trey Pipkens (27) is a pending free agent, and although he's displayed massive improvement in the trenches, there are no guarantees on the open market. If the Chargers were to draft Jones or another lineman in the first round, that would make it three in a row with Rashawn Slater/Zion Johnson.

It's not likely, nor is it the sexiest move. However, dating back to the start of 2021, QB Justin Herbert and the Bolts pass at a 59.2% clip in neutral situations, the third-highest in the NFL (rbsdm.com/stats). If you're going to drop back that frequently as an offense, investing in a pass blocker opposite of Slater is necessary, not to mention a hypothetical selection playing on a rookie deal.

Broderick Jones may not be there at pick #25, but keep an eye out for him protecting Stetson Bennett's blindside.