Chargers mock draft: Building a quality class around Jordan Addison

With the 200th pick in the sixth round, the Los Angeles Chargers select:
Memphis S Quindell Johnson

It will be interesting to see what the Chargers do at safety in this draft. As John Johnson III rumors swirled just about a month ago, he could still very well be a post-draft signing for them. But they could still take a quality safety prospect as to not entirely rely on that possibility lining up.

Memphis' Quindell Johnson fits the name of the game with Brandon Staley's defense: versatility. He's a ballhawk safety who can be put in whatever position you ask of him. In college, he had a pretty even distribution between his time as strong safety, free safety, and nickel corner.

Johnson probably slides to day three because he clocks in slightly undersized at the modern safety position at 5'11", 195 pounds. But for his size, he's still an excellent tackler with great anticipation in coverage. Overall, he's just a really clean, smooth athlete who got better every year at Memphis to the point of having legitimate NFL stock.

With the 239th pick in the seventh round, the Los Angeles Chargers select:
Utah LB Mohamoud Diabate

The Chargers simply have to come out of the 2023 NFL Draft with at least one body at linebacker. Right now the depth is concerning with Kenneth Murray still listed as a starter behind primary starter Eric Kendricks. Troy Reeder left the Chargers this offseason in addition to Drue Tranquill's departure.

Mohamoud Diabate is still working on adapting to the life of being an off-ball linebacker after working as a pass rusher at Florida. in 2022, Diabate at 13.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.

Still rough and developing, Diabate would probably spend a year on special teams before being a mainline starter down the road. But it's not a bad swing in the seventh round to bet on his athleticism and physicality.

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