General manager Tom Telesco, head coach Brandon Staley and company knew that the 2023 NFL draft was a crucial part of their roster reconstruction after a steady approach in free agency.
For the most part, they accomplished that by landing impactful players and some that should be key pieces of the team down the road.
With that, here are five takeaways from Los Angeles’ haul.
No longer a need for speed
One of the biggest needs for the Chargers entering the draft was speed at the wide receiver position. They accomplished that from the get-go in the first round with Quentin Johnston. Johnston not only adds the vertical speed needed, but he provides the positional room with a yards-after-the-catch monster. I can’t wait to see what Kellen Moore schemes up for him in Year 1.
After getting Johnston, Los Angeles needed a return specialist following the departure of DeAndre Carter. They found him in Johnston’s fellow teammate at TCU, Derius Davis. Davis was the most productive returner in college football, finishing with six return touchdowns. A big reason for his success? SPEED. A 4.39 40, which was the fastest at the combine.
2. More pressure, more diamonds
The Chargers needed depth behind Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. After a run on some of the top edge defenders in the second round, I thought it would be slim pickings for them. Instead, they snagged a 2022 All-American who finished with the most sacks in the FBS in 2022 (13.5).
Tuli Tulipotulu has the upfield explosion, heavy and determined hands, lateral agility and rush instincts to avoid blockers, which should see him have success as a designated pass rusher early on, whether that be off the edge or from the inside to be a mismatch against guards.
For a unit that struggled to get after the quarterback when Bosa missed most of last season with a groin injury, Tulipotulu should aid that department and also contribute against the run on the perimeter, something Los Angeles also had trouble having much success in 2022.
3. Building out the depth
I already mentioned Tulipotulu as a good depth piece. But Telesco and Staley also made the point to solidify it at other spots that were needed heading into the draft, starting with Daiyan Henley.
Henley replaced Troy Reeder, who signed with the Vikings in free agency. Reeder was a core special teamer, which will be the same role that Henley should carve out from the start. In the case of an injury to either starter, Eric Kendricks or Kenneth Murray, Henley has the skill set to fill in.
Two later, the Chargers continued the bolstering of the offensive line with the selection of Jordan McFadden, the fifth-round pick. McFadden has the position versatility to play across the line and he should come in and compete for the swing guard spot with Brenden Jaimes.
In the sixth round, Los Angeles upgraded the depth of the interior part of the defensive line with Scott Matlock. They needed more pass-rush juice from the inside aside from just Morgan Fox, which Matlock should supply. He is also capable as a run defender.
4. The decision on Duggan
Heading into the last round, I thought the Chargers would use that pick on a defensive back. But instead, they took another TCU player, Max Duggan, which caused a puzzling reaction on social media from the fanbase.
While I don’t necessarily agree with their decision and would have much rather signed an undrafted free agent, Los Angeles has carried three quarterbacks on the active roster eight out of the ten seasons that Telesco has been the general manager.
The team met with Duggan during the pre-draft process, and after the draft, Staley heaped praise on him, citing him as a “winner” and highlighting his intangibles and production.
Easton Stick will be the backup entering training camp and Duggan will push him for the spot.
5. Still some work to be done
Overall, the Chargers had a great draft, getting instant contributors and solid depth pieces at positions of need. However, they walked away with a few spots on the depth chart that will hopefully be addressed.
Tight end was the biggest surprise they did not get, especially with this being the deepest the position has been in quite some time. But Staley said after the draft that the way the board fell, the timing wasn’t right for them and the value didn’t match when they were picking.
Now Los Angeles is in the market for a tight end, particularly one whose strength is blocking, something the team failed to get out of those at the position last season. If not, they’re banking on a leap from third-year Tre’ McKitty and Donald Parham to stay healthy after a couple of injuries.
Beyond that, the backend of the defense still needs some re-tooling. At corner, J.C. Jackson is still rehabbing from a torn patellar tendon and the timeline for his return is unknown. Asante Samuel Jr. struggled against the run in 2022. There is no one in the slot aside from Ja’Sir Taylor.
At safety, Alohi Gilman is slated to start next to Derwin James. The team is hoping for major improvement from second-year JT Woods. Woods struggled as a tackler in the limited defensive snaps he played and was a non-factor defensively in his rookie campaign.
