Full Chargers mock draft with the Bolts trading down in round one
By Jason Reed
The LA Chargers have the 17th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft but that is by no means set in stone. As we see with every draft, and as we will see in the 2022 NFL Draft, teams will move up and down the draft order via trade based on a team's needs.
The Chargers have 11 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft so it might not seem to make sense for the Bolts to move down. However, there is a simple math equation that the Chargers will have on draft day. If there is someone who they value lower than 17th, and a team offering to trade up for that pick, then you take the deal. In a perfect world, the Chargers trade down and get someone who they would've been fine with drafting at 17.
We have pondered whether or not a trade back makes sense for the Chargers here at Bolt Beat and today we break down an entire Chargers mock draft with that premise.
So what is the trade back in this LA Chargers mock draft?
The Chargers need to find a team that will have a reason to trade up to 17. That team is the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders need receivers and at 17 there is a trio of first-round receivers in Jameson Williams, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. Two of the three will probably be available at 17, but quite frankly, all three could go before the Raiders pick at 22.
The Raiders have every reason to move up to 17 if the receiver they like the most is there while the Chargers can benefit from moving down five spots. In this Chargers mock draft, we have the Bolts trading pick 17 and 119 in exchange for 22 and 86.
Let's dive into who the Chargers will pick at 22 and as always, we are using The Draft Network's Mock Draft Machine to put together this Chargers mock draft.