The 2023 NFL draft is officially two weeks, and teams are finalizing their big boards with the players they could select when they’re on the clock.
With the No. 21 overall selection, here are 11 releastic names to watch for Los Angeles on Day 1.
TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
With Gerald Everett set to be a free agent at the end of the upcoming season, the Chargers will look to find a true No. 1 tight end, and Mayer could be that guy and an integral piece in the offense from his rookie season.
Mayer showcases focus and strong hands in contested situations, the ability to get upfield quickly after the catch, and the toughness to bring down in open space. Further, he does an excellent job of blocking in space and inline, something the Bolts struggled to get from their tight ends last season.
Mayer set program marks at the position for receptions (180), yards (2,099), and touchdown receptions (18) throughout his collegiate career. He also owns the single-season tight end records for receptions (71 in 2021), yards (840 in 2021), and touchdowns (nine in 2022).
WR Jordan Addison, USC
Addison boasts some high-quality traits, with the refined route running to separate at all levels of the field, quickness and vision to break away from defenders in the open field, and the ball skills and body control to reel in nearly everything thrown his way.
By drafting Addison this could be the eventual successor to Keenan Allen in the slot, as Addison offers a lot that Allen does with the silky smooth route running.
Additionally, Addison is familiar with wide receivers coach Chris Beatty, who recruited Addison, initially to Maryland, then to Pittsburgh.
Addison began his career at Pitt, where he caught 60 passes for 666 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games in 2020 before posting 100 receptions, 1,593 yards, and 17 scores in 2021. He transferred to USC after the season and ended 2022 with 59 receptions, 875 yards, and eight scores.
TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
Kincaid is a prolific receiver with great hands who can win all over the field with his athleticism and play speed and can create yards after the catch, projecting as a passing game playmaker for offensive coordinator Kellen Moore from Day 1. He’s also willing a blocker.
Kincaid amassed 103 receptions for 1375 yards and 16 touchdowns in his four years as a starter for the Utes, with his best season coming in 2022. He racked up an impressive 890 yards on 70 catches. Additionally, Kincaid had the lowest drop rate percentage among TEs (2.8%).
EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
In a pass-happy league, you need players to disrupt quarterbacks consistently. And the Chargers would benefit from adding another premier pass rusher as insurance for Joey Bosa, who has been riddled by injuries, and as they start preparing for life after an aging Khalil Mack.
Van Ness can overwhelm blockers with the ability to convert speed to power. At 6-foot-5 and 272 pounds, Van Ness has the burst and flexibility to corner and close. He possesses the strength and length to defend the run well. Van Ness also has the versatility to play up and down the line.
Despite not being a starter, Van Ness was still a key part of the Hawkeye’s defensive line over the past two seasons. In 26 games, Van Ness totaled 69 tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss, and 12 sacks.
RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
I’m a firm believer that running backs should not be drafted in the first round, given the longevity of the players at the position. Still, with the Chargers finishing near the bottom of the league in rushing offense last season and the situation with Austin Ekeler, they might be intrigued by the idea of taking an exceptional talent in Robinson to boost their offense.
Defenses need to properly game plan for him, as Robinson is a threat to take any carry to the house. At 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, Robinson oozes with explosiveness, elusiveness instincts and power as a runner. Furthermore, Robinson is efficient in the passing game, both as a receiver and a blocker.
Robinson left Texas fourth on the school’s all-time rushing list, with his 3,410 career yards ranking. He became the first Texas player with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons since Vince Young in 2004-2005, and won the Doak Walker award this year as the best running back in college football.
DB Brian Branch, Alabama
As long as Brandon Staley is the head coach, the Chargers will always be looking to add pieces to the secondary. Branch would be an instant starter in the slot and challenge Alohi Gilman for the second safety spot.
Branch was a versatile piece in Nick Saban’s defense. He has the instincts, movement skills and footwork to lock down receivers. Against the run, Branch takes proper angles and breaks down with the closing speed to finish in space. Branch is also effective as a blitzer.
In his junior campaign, Branch amassed 90 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, seven passes defensed, three sacks and two interceptions.
EDGE Will McDonald, Iowa State
With an excellent first step with the hips to bend the edge and the flexibility to drop his shoulder to get under blockers, violent hands, a wicked spin move, and the arm length (35″) to long-arm blockers, McDonald is a mainstay in opposing backfields.
In 2020, McDonald finished the season tied for first in the nation in sacks with 10.5. He was even more dominant in 2021, finishing seventh with 11.5 sacks. His sack total dipped in his final season for the Cyclones, but primarily because he was used in various roles.
WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
Johnston has great speed to win vertically and break away from defenders in the open field. His athleticism and agility allow him to gain separation on various routes. At 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds, Johnston uses his great size as a massive catch radius and to outmuscle cornerbacks.
Emerging as one of the top receivers in college football, Johnston finished with 60 receptions for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns for the Horned Frogs this season en route to earning First-Team All Big-12.
WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
While his undersized stature might not be to the Chargers’ standards at 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds, Flowers’ speed might make him an exception.
Flowers is a very dynamic receiver, with not just deep speed but the quickness and twitchiness in space, making him a threat with the ball in his hands. He is also a savvy route runner to beat coverage.
Flowers led the ACC with 503 yards after the catch. Additionally, he forced 25 missed tackles last season, the third-most in the country for a wide receiver. Over four years, Flowers totaled 200 catches for 3,056 yards and 29 touchdowns and two rushing scores.
EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
At 6-foot-5 and 268 pounds, Murphy offers a combination of pro-ready size, length, power, athleticism, a handful of counters, as well as some pass-rushing alignment versatility.
Murphy had his best campaign in his sophomore year, amassing 14.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. Across three seasons, he recorded 36 TFLs, 18.5 sacks and five passes defended.
CB Deonte Banks, Maryland
The Chargers are set with their starters on the outside in Michael Davis and Asante Samuel Jr. But again, with Staley as the head coach, never count out a defensive back early on, especially when considering that there isn’t a timeframe for J.C. Jackson’s return from his season-ending injury and the depth at cornerback behind Davis and Samuel leaves a lot to be desired.
At 6 feet and 197 pounds, Banks is a physical, reactive athlete with great size that possesses excellent feet and instincts in coverage and aggression in run support, which is something that would benefit a Chargers defense that struggled against the run on the perimeter last season.
In his four seasons for the Terrapins, Banks finished his career with 83 tackles, two interceptions, and 11 passes defended in 30 games.
