With the 79th overall pick in this Chargers mock draft, the Bolts select Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
Defensive tackle is arguably the biggest need on the LA Chargers as the team really struggled against the run in the 2021 season and it mostly started upfront with the defensive line. While it is the biggest need and that has led to some wanting Jordan Davis, the Bolts can find a quality run-stuffer later in the draft.
Don't get me wrong, Davis is a very special talent and he is someone who will come in on day one and be able to reset the line of scrimmage. I would have no problem if the Chargers draft him in the first round. But with free agency, I think it is more likely they address the position later.
In a perfect world, the Chargers are able to re-sign Justin Jones and sign one of Sebastian Joseph-Day or Akiem Hicks to a manageable contract. Hicks is more versatile in a 3-4 defense and can play more downs but Joseph-Day is better against the run and younger.
If the signing is Joseph-Day then they might look for someone more versatile than Travis Jones. However, if that signing is Akiem Hicks, then someone like Jones makes a lot of sense for the Chargers. Jones is a traditional nose tackle that will play in running downs and help the defense reset the line of scrimmage.
He is not much of a player in pass-rushing downs and he might not be as impressive as Jordan Davis, but he still would help the Chargers accomplish the goal of keeping teams from slashing them on early downs and setting up short third-down tries.