Bolts bolster defense in first Chargers mock draft of 2022 offseason
By Jason Reed
In the fifth and sixth round of this LA Chargers mock draft, the Chargers select:
158th overall (projected): Cade Mays, OL, Tennessee
The LA Chargers need to build up depth on the offensive line and Cade Mays is someone who also could compete for the starting right tackle job in LA. He played right tackle in 2021 and is not too small for the position in the slightest.
Mays also has experience at right guard and that is what makes him valuable for the Chargers. The ride side of the line is up in the air as we head into the offseason and Mays is someone who not only played both positions for a full season but actually improved every single year in college, which is a good sign for his professional prospects.
195th overall (projected): Mike Rose, LB, Iowa State
Kyzir White probably is not going anywhere and this is a depth selection more than anything. Rose is not a perfect fit on the Chargers as he showed some holes in his man coverage ability from the linebacker position but the Chargers can look past that for one reason.
Rose has bonafide NFL size and speed and while he may struggle in man coverage, he can hold his own in zone. More importantly, he has all the makings of being an above-average special teams player out of the gate, which is what the team needs. And with Brandon Staley as his coach, if Rose can iron out his flaws, he could be a valuable rotational linebacker by year two.
214th overall (projected): Matt Hankins, CB, Iowa
Talk about a player with raw athleticism that could be molded. Matt Hankins has seemingly had all the makings of rising up the draft boards in his collegiate career and he really has not done much to help himself. However, he did have a more promising season with Iowa in 2021.
Hankins has good speed and length and in the future could be a decent slot corner. For the time being, Hankins would be added to the special teams side of the ball, where he could potentially showcase his athleticism and good tackling ability for a corner.
The Chargers are now on the clock with their seventh-round picks in our first LA Chargers mock draft.