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Here’s Popper mock 4.0:
Round 1, Pick 13: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Some of you will be disappointed to see Darrisaw in this spot. So let me explain.
As I wrote last week, I still see a situation in which Chargers general manager Tom Telesco trades up for Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell. If both the Bengals and Dolphins opt to take offensive playmakers at Nos. 5 and 6, respectively, then Sewell will almost certainly be available at No. 7. The Lions are in that spot right now, and as our Chris Burke has reported, Detroit is open and even eager to trade back. But it is going to take a specific set of circumstances for the Chargers to make this move. Possible. Not particularly likely.
If the 49ers do end up taking Mac Jones at No. 3, then there should be at least one high-caliber quarterback prospect available at No. 7 — either Justin Fields or Trey Lance. Both would probably be available if the Falcons go with Florida tight end Kyle Pitts instead of a quarterback. In that case, the QB-needy teams also will be calling the Lions to move up. And I find it hard to believe the Chargers would be able to outbid one of those teams — like the Patriots at No. 15 — for the Lions’ pick. A team trading up for a quarterback is going to be more willing to part with draft capital because quarterback is the most important position on the field. I do not see the Chargers giving up a future first-round pick for Sewell, but I can see the Patriots giving up a future first-round pick for Lance or Fields.
If Lance and Fields both go to the 49ers and Falcons, that changes things. I think fewer teams will be aggressive in trying to trade up for Jones. So the Chargers, in this scenario, would not have as much competition. Maybe they could move up to No. 7 by giving up this year’s second-rounder (No. 47), or this year’s third-rounder (No. 77) and a 2022 second-rounder. That is a deal I think Telesco considers.
But I am trying to be as accurate as possible, and so I am leaning into the likelier scenario. Jones seems like he will be the pick at No. 3. And so I think at least one of the two other QBs, Fields or Lance, will be there at No. 7.
So the Chargers stick at 13. I could have made a hopeful pick here. Maybe Northwestern tackle Rashawn Slater falls. Or South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn. Again, though, I am trying to make an accurate prediction. And my gut tells me that both players are going to be gone by the time the Chargers pick. Same with Sewell and Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II.
It is not an ideal scenario for the Chargers. But I think it is the likeliest scenario.
In this case, Telesco should try to trade back and pick up an additional top-100 pick this year. He has never traded back in his eight years as general manager, though. I think he would make the pick at 13 if this is how it shakes out Thursday night.
The Chargers need a left tackle. That is unequivocally the biggest need on their roster. They do not have a chance to compete for the postseason in 2021 if they do not find a capable starter at that position. I cannot put it in any simpler terms.
Darrisaw would be the best tackle on the board. He is a talented prospect with the most prototypical size of any potential first-round tackle. He is stout as a pass protector and athletic and physical as a run blocker. Darrisaw played “down to his competition” at times, as our Dane Brugler described it. But if the Chargers truly believe in this new coaching staff, that weakness is correctable. Darrisaw has the tools to be a starting left tackle in this league.
And I do not see him as a reach here. Arif Hasan’s consensus big board — which aggregates 50 big boards from various evaluators and prognosticators — has Darrisaw pegged as the 15th overall prospect. Value and need align. Lock it in.
Round 2, Pick 47: Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
After going with a tackle in the first round, the Chargers will need to address cornerback in the second round. Michael Davis and Chris Harris Jr. are the starters. But Harris will be moving into the slot when the Chargers go to their nickel and dime packages, which will be about 70 to 80 percent of the time. And they need a capable boundary corner to enter the game in those packages. They signed Ryan Smith in free agency, but he mostly has been a special teams contributor in his career. I still like Brandon Facyson’s skill set, and he should benefit from Brandon Staley’s more man-heavy scheme. But the Chargers need more talent at this position.
I love Georgia cornerback Eric Stokes. But I do not think he will fall to No. 47. He could go in the late first. More likely, he will be taken in the first eight to 10 picks of the second round. His physical traits — namely size and speed — are just too tantalizing. In our latest beat writer mock draft, I gave up No. 77 to move up and take Stokes a No. 38. I got a fourth-rounder in return. I get the sense, though, that the Chargers are going to covet their picks this year unless they are trading up for Sewell. This is Staley’s first big opportunity to turn over the roster and target players with his ideal skill sets and makeup. The more picks he has, the more he can influence the roster. I think that is a priority for the organization in this draft.
So what are the options at No. 47? I do not think the Chargers will even consider Kentucky cornerback Kelvin Joseph, who Brugler described as having “immaturity and accountability issues.” Stokes’ teammate Tyson Campbell has intriguing athletic traits, but his ball skills are a concern, and that is not something that typically improves when a player reaches the NFL.
The pick, then, is Melifonwu. I watched some of his tape over the weekend, and there is a lot to like. He is nearly 6-foot-3 but moves really well. He has fluid hips despite his big frame and showcased some impressive long speed. His 40 time checked in at 4.48. Melifonwu has the skill set and measurables to develop into an imposing press-man corner. I think he would be a solid fit in Staley’s scheme and decent value at this spot.
Round 3, Pick 77: Aaron Banks, OG, Notre Dame
In my previous mocks, I waited until later to take a second offensive lineman. The interior group is particularly deep this year. But the Chargers still need a massive influx of talent up front, even after their success in free agency. And coming away with two potential long-term starters in the first two days of the draft would be a big win for Telesco and Staley. Banks is a big-bodied guard at over 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds. Staley said earlier this month that getting bigger up front was a point of emphasis in free agency. So Banks fits that mold. Telesco’s ties to Brian Kelly and Notre Dame are well documented. Banks has tackle flexibility in a pinch and started 31 games in college.
Round 3, Pick 97: Rashad Weaver, edge, Pittsburgh
I believe the Chargers will take an edge rusher with one of their four top-100 picks to add to a group that already includes Joey Bosa, Uchenna Nwosu and Kyler Fackrell. I tried to find one at No. 77, but there were not any good options. Waiting until No. 97 makes more sense. Weaver was productive in college with 17 sacks in three seasons. He played his best football as a senior after missing 2019 with a torn ACL, totaling 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in nine games. He has outstanding length, standing over 6-foot-4 with 33.5-inch arms, and that frame will give him some position flexibility. He could move up to the line of scrimmage when Staley shifts to a four-man front. Coaches raved about Weaver’s work ethic and character, according to Brugler. “Weaver might not be a dynamic athlete by NFL standards,” Brugler wrote in his outstanding draft guide, “but he is stout at the point of attack with efficient stack/shed skills to be reliable vs. both the pass and the run, which gives him NFL starting potential in different schemes.”
Round 4, Pick 118: Osa Odighizuwa, DL, UCLA
I mocked Odighizuwa to the Chargers in my Mock 3.0 at this spot, and I am sticking with the pick. The Chargers need defensive line depth behind Linval Joseph, Justin Jones and Jerry Tillery. Bosa, of course, has the size and strength to play on the line, but he will be primarily on the edge in Staley’s defense. Staley is looking for length and flexibility with his defensive linemen, and Odighizuwa proves both. He is under 6-foot-2 but makes up for it with 34-inch arms. Brugler described him as “naturally powerful.” Odighizuwa lined up all over the place for the Bruins, from directly over the center to on the outside shoulder of the tackle.
Round 5, Pick 159: Tre’ McKitty, TE, Georgia
I think the Chargers should take a tight end with one of their two third-round picks, but I get the feeling they are going to wait on this position. They have Jared Cook on a one-year deal and are really high on Donald Parham. The Chargers need some run-blocking juice in the tight end room, and McKitty will provide that. He is fluid and athletic at 6-foot-4, 246 pounds with the traits to develop into a solid pass-catching option, as well.
Round 6, Pick 185: Jamien Sherwood, S, Auburn
The Rams entered last year’s draft with a hole at free safety. They waited until the sixth round to draft Jordan Fuller, who started 12 games and significantly outperformed his draft slot. He was a key cog in Staley’s league-best defense in 2020. I expect Staley to take a similar approach with filling his need at safety with the Chargers this year. Because he relies on two-safety shells, Staley does not necessarily need elite athletes in his safeties. He prefers high-IQ players with positional flexibility. Sherwood is an ideal fit. Fuller fell in the draft because of his below-average long speed. He ran a 4.68 40-yard dash. Sherwood is in a similar boat after running a 4.74. But he has a lot of the traits Staley is seeking. Sherwood lined up everywhere for Auburn last season — in the box, deep and in the slot. And his football IQ is one of his biggest strengths. “Outstanding eyes and recognition skills, understanding what the opponent wants to do,” Brugler writes. “Directs traffic presnap and gets his teammates lined up.” This pick makes too much sense.
Round 6, Pick 198: Nick Niemann, LB, Iowa
The Chargers had the worst special teams in the league last season and should be targeting players who can help their coverage units late in this draft. Niemann would be an ideal fit for that role. I mocked him to the Chargers at this pick in my Mock 3.0, and I’m sticking with it. Niemann is a proven tackler with size (6-foot-3) and speed (4.48 40-yard dash). Check, check, check.
Round 7, Pick 241: Avery Williams, CB, Boise State
Sticking with the theme, Williams was a special-teams monster in college. He finished his time at Boise State with nine special teams touchdowns, five blocked kicks and one forced fumble on kickoff coverage. He is undersized at under 5-foot-9, 183 pounds, but he is absolutely worth seventh-round flier for a team that has struggled on special teams for years.
Some of you will be disappointed to see Darrisaw in this spot. So let me explain.
As I wrote last week, I still see a situation in which Chargers general manager Tom Telesco trades up for Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell. If both the Bengals and Dolphins opt to take offensive playmakers at Nos. 5 and 6, respectively, then Sewell will almost certainly be available at No. 7. The Lions are in that spot right now, and as our Chris Burke has reported, Detroit is open and even eager to trade back. But it is going to take a specific set of circumstances for the Chargers to make this move. Possible. Not particularly likely.
If the 49ers do end up taking Mac Jones at No. 3, then there should be at least one high-caliber quarterback prospect available at No. 7 — either Justin Fields or Trey Lance. Both would probably be available if the Falcons go with Florida tight end Kyle Pitts instead of a quarterback. In that case, the QB-needy teams also will be calling the Lions to move up. And I find it hard to believe the Chargers would be able to outbid one of those teams — like the Patriots at No. 15 — for the Lions’ pick. A team trading up for a quarterback is going to be more willing to part with draft capital because quarterback is the most important position on the field. I do not see the Chargers giving up a future first-round pick for Sewell, but I can see the Patriots giving up a future first-round pick for Lance or Fields.
If Lance and Fields both go to the 49ers and Falcons, that changes things. I think fewer teams will be aggressive in trying to trade up for Jones. So the Chargers, in this scenario, would not have as much competition. Maybe they could move up to No. 7 by giving up this year’s second-rounder (No. 47), or this year’s third-rounder (No. 77) and a 2022 second-rounder. That is a deal I think Telesco considers.
But I am trying to be as accurate as possible, and so I am leaning into the likelier scenario. Jones seems like he will be the pick at No. 3. And so I think at least one of the two other QBs, Fields or Lance, will be there at No. 7.
So the Chargers stick at 13. I could have made a hopeful pick here. Maybe Northwestern tackle Rashawn Slater falls. Or South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn. Again, though, I am trying to make an accurate prediction. And my gut tells me that both players are going to be gone by the time the Chargers pick. Same with Sewell and Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II.
It is not an ideal scenario for the Chargers. But I think it is the likeliest scenario.
In this case, Telesco should try to trade back and pick up an additional top-100 pick this year. He has never traded back in his eight years as general manager, though. I think he would make the pick at 13 if this is how it shakes out Thursday night.
The Chargers need a left tackle. That is unequivocally the biggest need on their roster. They do not have a chance to compete for the postseason in 2021 if they do not find a capable starter at that position. I cannot put it in any simpler terms.
Darrisaw would be the best tackle on the board. He is a talented prospect with the most prototypical size of any potential first-round tackle. He is stout as a pass protector and athletic and physical as a run blocker. Darrisaw played “down to his competition” at times, as our Dane Brugler described it. But if the Chargers truly believe in this new coaching staff, that weakness is correctable. Darrisaw has the tools to be a starting left tackle in this league.
And I do not see him as a reach here. Arif Hasan’s consensus big board — which aggregates 50 big boards from various evaluators and prognosticators — has Darrisaw pegged as the 15th overall prospect. Value and need align. Lock it in.
Round 2, Pick 47: Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
After going with a tackle in the first round, the Chargers will need to address cornerback in the second round. Michael Davis and Chris Harris Jr. are the starters. But Harris will be moving into the slot when the Chargers go to their nickel and dime packages, which will be about 70 to 80 percent of the time. And they need a capable boundary corner to enter the game in those packages. They signed Ryan Smith in free agency, but he mostly has been a special teams contributor in his career. I still like Brandon Facyson’s skill set, and he should benefit from Brandon Staley’s more man-heavy scheme. But the Chargers need more talent at this position.
I love Georgia cornerback Eric Stokes. But I do not think he will fall to No. 47. He could go in the late first. More likely, he will be taken in the first eight to 10 picks of the second round. His physical traits — namely size and speed — are just too tantalizing. In our latest beat writer mock draft, I gave up No. 77 to move up and take Stokes a No. 38. I got a fourth-rounder in return. I get the sense, though, that the Chargers are going to covet their picks this year unless they are trading up for Sewell. This is Staley’s first big opportunity to turn over the roster and target players with his ideal skill sets and makeup. The more picks he has, the more he can influence the roster. I think that is a priority for the organization in this draft.
So what are the options at No. 47? I do not think the Chargers will even consider Kentucky cornerback Kelvin Joseph, who Brugler described as having “immaturity and accountability issues.” Stokes’ teammate Tyson Campbell has intriguing athletic traits, but his ball skills are a concern, and that is not something that typically improves when a player reaches the NFL.
The pick, then, is Melifonwu. I watched some of his tape over the weekend, and there is a lot to like. He is nearly 6-foot-3 but moves really well. He has fluid hips despite his big frame and showcased some impressive long speed. His 40 time checked in at 4.48. Melifonwu has the skill set and measurables to develop into an imposing press-man corner. I think he would be a solid fit in Staley’s scheme and decent value at this spot.
Round 3, Pick 77: Aaron Banks, OG, Notre Dame
In my previous mocks, I waited until later to take a second offensive lineman. The interior group is particularly deep this year. But the Chargers still need a massive influx of talent up front, even after their success in free agency. And coming away with two potential long-term starters in the first two days of the draft would be a big win for Telesco and Staley. Banks is a big-bodied guard at over 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds. Staley said earlier this month that getting bigger up front was a point of emphasis in free agency. So Banks fits that mold. Telesco’s ties to Brian Kelly and Notre Dame are well documented. Banks has tackle flexibility in a pinch and started 31 games in college.
Round 3, Pick 97: Rashad Weaver, edge, Pittsburgh
I believe the Chargers will take an edge rusher with one of their four top-100 picks to add to a group that already includes Joey Bosa, Uchenna Nwosu and Kyler Fackrell. I tried to find one at No. 77, but there were not any good options. Waiting until No. 97 makes more sense. Weaver was productive in college with 17 sacks in three seasons. He played his best football as a senior after missing 2019 with a torn ACL, totaling 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in nine games. He has outstanding length, standing over 6-foot-4 with 33.5-inch arms, and that frame will give him some position flexibility. He could move up to the line of scrimmage when Staley shifts to a four-man front. Coaches raved about Weaver’s work ethic and character, according to Brugler. “Weaver might not be a dynamic athlete by NFL standards,” Brugler wrote in his outstanding draft guide, “but he is stout at the point of attack with efficient stack/shed skills to be reliable vs. both the pass and the run, which gives him NFL starting potential in different schemes.”
Round 4, Pick 118: Osa Odighizuwa, DL, UCLA
I mocked Odighizuwa to the Chargers in my Mock 3.0 at this spot, and I am sticking with the pick. The Chargers need defensive line depth behind Linval Joseph, Justin Jones and Jerry Tillery. Bosa, of course, has the size and strength to play on the line, but he will be primarily on the edge in Staley’s defense. Staley is looking for length and flexibility with his defensive linemen, and Odighizuwa proves both. He is under 6-foot-2 but makes up for it with 34-inch arms. Brugler described him as “naturally powerful.” Odighizuwa lined up all over the place for the Bruins, from directly over the center to on the outside shoulder of the tackle.
Round 5, Pick 159: Tre’ McKitty, TE, Georgia
I think the Chargers should take a tight end with one of their two third-round picks, but I get the feeling they are going to wait on this position. They have Jared Cook on a one-year deal and are really high on Donald Parham. The Chargers need some run-blocking juice in the tight end room, and McKitty will provide that. He is fluid and athletic at 6-foot-4, 246 pounds with the traits to develop into a solid pass-catching option, as well.
Round 6, Pick 185: Jamien Sherwood, S, Auburn
The Rams entered last year’s draft with a hole at free safety. They waited until the sixth round to draft Jordan Fuller, who started 12 games and significantly outperformed his draft slot. He was a key cog in Staley’s league-best defense in 2020. I expect Staley to take a similar approach with filling his need at safety with the Chargers this year. Because he relies on two-safety shells, Staley does not necessarily need elite athletes in his safeties. He prefers high-IQ players with positional flexibility. Sherwood is an ideal fit. Fuller fell in the draft because of his below-average long speed. He ran a 4.68 40-yard dash. Sherwood is in a similar boat after running a 4.74. But he has a lot of the traits Staley is seeking. Sherwood lined up everywhere for Auburn last season — in the box, deep and in the slot. And his football IQ is one of his biggest strengths. “Outstanding eyes and recognition skills, understanding what the opponent wants to do,” Brugler writes. “Directs traffic presnap and gets his teammates lined up.” This pick makes too much sense.
Round 6, Pick 198: Nick Niemann, LB, Iowa
The Chargers had the worst special teams in the league last season and should be targeting players who can help their coverage units late in this draft. Niemann would be an ideal fit for that role. I mocked him to the Chargers at this pick in my Mock 3.0, and I’m sticking with it. Niemann is a proven tackler with size (6-foot-3) and speed (4.48 40-yard dash). Check, check, check.
Round 7, Pick 241: Avery Williams, CB, Boise State
Sticking with the theme, Williams was a special-teams monster in college. He finished his time at Boise State with nine special teams touchdowns, five blocked kicks and one forced fumble on kickoff coverage. He is undersized at under 5-foot-9, 183 pounds, but he is absolutely worth seventh-round flier for a team that has struggled on special teams for years.
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