With the 22nd overall pick in this Chargers mock draft, the Bolts select Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
In this Chargers mock draft, we see the Bolts going in the trenches once more and taking offensive tackle Trevor Penning out of Northern Iowa. While the defense was the problem in 2021, this would be a full commitment to protecting Justin Herbert and hopefully gives the Chargers their second franchise tackle.
Trevor Penning is an absolute monster. Penning is a six-foot-seven, 320-pound mauling tackle that really did not face many issues in college. Granted, he plays in the FBS, but that is actually a good thing for the Bolts.
You could raise concerns about his level of competition and that is completely fair. However, that is the entire reason why he is projected to be a late first-round pick, to begin with. If he played for Alabama, and was just as good, then he probably would be a top-15 pick in the draft.
Could there be a bit of a learning curve early on as he jumps to NFL-level of talent? Absolutely, not everyone can be an All-Pro-worthy tackle in their first season like Rashawn Slater. However, Penning has the size and the fundamentals to at least hold his own early on and regardless, he will still be better than Storm Norton.
Now, the team has multiple needs so I understand if someone does not want the Bolts to take a right tackle in the first round. Free agency is going to have a big impact on who the Chargers draft and when and if they do not sign a starting right tackle then they will definitely draft one early.