With the 17th pick in this LA Chargers mock draft, the Bolts select Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
After an offseason that focused primarily on fixing one of the league's worst defenses in 2021, the Chargers circle back to the offensive side of the ball by selecting OT Trevor Penning 17th overall.
Given the moves made by the Bolts in free agency thus far, the RT position likely remains the team's biggest need. By taking the Northern Iowa product here in the first round, the Chargers solidify the position for the next decade-plus.
You can make all the additions you want to fill out your roster, but at the end of the day, keeping Justin Herbert upright is always your number one priority. Pairing Rashawn Slater with Penning as the bookends to the offensive line for the foreseeable future gives the Chargers the foundations to be a top-five offense in the NFL for a long time.
At 6'7", 325 lbs, Penning is a large tackle, but very athletic nonetheless. At the combine, the UNI product ran a 4.89 40-yard dash and excels out in space in a heavy run-scheme that he was a part of in college.
His ability in the run game certainly outweighs his pass-protection ability, but his pass-blocking is not of any concern according to a variety of draft experts.
The only question about Penning in terms of his fit with the Chargers is his viability on the right side of the line. Primarily a LT during his collegiate career, Penning has never made an official start at RT. The transition could be a bit of a learning curve if taken by Bolts, but Penning is more than capable of making it work.