Chargers mock draft roundup: Experts weigh in after NFL free agency
By Jason Reed
A lot has happened thus far after the start of NFL free agency. For the most part, the LA Chargers were active in bringing back players from last year's team that were free agents. That being said, the Chargers still have some salary-cap space that they can make noise with.
The team is also going to make additions via the 2023 NFL Draft. Los Angeles has the 21st pick in the draft with seven total selections. Although, Tom Telesco has hinted at the team potentially having more than just seven.
With the league starting to take shape for the 2023 season, NFL Draft experts have a better idea of how the 2023 NFL Draft may pan out. With that in mind, let's dive into the latest mock drafts to see who they have the Chargers selecting.
Chargers mock draft roundup after NFL free agency:
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
The Chargers have not yet added any wide receiver help this offseason, almost guaranteeing that the team will take one early in the 2023 NFL Draft. There are only three NFL-caliber receivers on the roster and the Bolts would get their fourth in Zay Flowers.
Flowers make a lot of sense from a role perspective as he could essentially be a rich man's version of DeAndre Carter in this offense in his rookie season. Then, as more snaps open up with Mike Williams and Keenan Allen potentially leaving, Flowers could blossom into a bigger role.
His size will limit him to the slot (most likely) in the future but if Flowers is just step one in rebuilding the WR room for the future then it will be a solid first step.
Mel Kiper, ESPN: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Tight end was an early candidate for the Chargers to pursue in the 2023 NFL Draft and it very well still could be. The team did bring back Donald Parham for depth on a two-year deal but Gerald Everett only has one more year remaining under contract.
If the team is really sour of Tre' McKitty already and they love one of the tight end prospects then it wouldn't be totally shocking to see them create a two-headed monster with Everett and the rookie with the full intentions on the rookie blossoming into the TE1 once Everett leaves.
Let's not forget: Tom Telesco is the same GM that drafted Hunter Henry in round two while he still had Antonio Gates. The situation was slightly different, but don't put it past him to draft a TE early.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor
There's always got to be one really bad Chargers mock draft. With all due respect to Prisco, this has to be the worst Chargers selection in any of the mock drafts that have featured in a Chargers mock draft roundup.
The Bolts can go in a multitude of ways at pick 21. One direction they will not go in is taking a prospect who many believe to be a late second or early third-round pick just because he is a run stuffer.
This narrative that the Chargers' run defense is horrendous and the team is going to reach for a interior defensive lineman for that reason is silly. Ika would not even start on the Chargers and anyone who knows anything about how Brandon Staley's defense operates knows that this pick makes no sense.
Danny Kelly, The Ringer: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Danny Kelly also has the Chargers taking Zay Flowers with the 21st overall pick. Whether it be tight end or receiver, it is clear that most NFL experts see the Chargers going with an offensive player at pick 21.
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In Kelly's mock draft specifically, the Chargers pass on Jordan Addison, Quentin Johnston and Jalin Hyatt to take Flowers.