3 players the Chargers could have drafted instead of Tre' McKitty

The Chargers could have drafted Baron Browning (taken 105th)

Another Denver Broncos draft selection that could have been a member of the LA Chargers. The Chargers had an obvious need for a depth edge rusher as the team would go on to take Chris Rumph in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

But what if the team just passed on the tight end position and decided to address that need then and there? If so, Baron Browning probably would have been the selection as he profiles perfectly to be an edge rusher in Brandon Staley's defense.

At the time, Browning would have been the third edge rusher behind Joey Bosa and Uchenna Nwosu and he probably would have had a similar impact as Tuli Tuipulotu is having this season for the Chargers. Browning has been great for the Broncos and his play was part of the reason why the team was okay with trading Bradley Chubb a year ago.

Browning had knee surgery so his 2023 season was delayed but he has already made a difference since returning to the team. Some players are game wreckers and Browning falls into that category, even if he is not yet a household name.

This too would have created an interesting ripple effect. Not only would it have changed the fourth round pick (maybe the team takes Rhamondre Stevenson in the fourth round) but it would have impacted the eventual Khalil Mack trade.

Would the Chargers have traded all that draft capital and taken on that salary for Mack if Browning played well as a rookie? If not, what else would the team have done? Who would they have taken in the second round, and what would they have used that salary for?

It is an interesting thought experiment and as good as Mack can be, it probably would have been for the better.