The 2023 NFL draft is still three months away, but we will supply you with in-depth coverage between now and then to inform you who the Chargers could be targeting with they’re on the clock.
With that being said, this will be the first installment of the three-round mock draft Thursday, where I will lay out different scenarios every week on how the first three rounds could play out for Los Angeles.
Round 1, No. 21, TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
The “Chargers need speed” crowd, please do not come after me. We will address that in this mock draft. But in this case, Los Angeles brings in a player who will boost the offense significantly in multiple ways, starting with his immense physical blocking skills on the edge in pass protection and the run game, an area in which the Chargers had a problem this season. But Washington is also a matchup nightmare in the passing game with good hands, route running, and yards-after-catch ability over the middle of the field. You don’t come around 6-foot-7 and 280 pounds with the elite traits that Washington possesses, and having him on the field would go a long way toward helping Los Angeles be a complete offense.
Round 2, No. 54, EDGE Zach Harrison, Ohio State
The Chargers didn’t have much pass-rush production when Joey Bosa was out with his groin injury. And with Khalil Mack not getting any younger and Kyle Van Noy set to be a free agent in March, the position group needs another presence to get after the quarterback. Harrison has an ideal blend of explosiveness, size, length & strength, and pass rush upside. With further coaching and development from defensive line developer Eddy McGilvra this off-season, Harrison’s game will only get better.
Round 3, No. 85, WR Marvin Mims, Oklahoma
I kept my promise: the Chargers fill their speed void at the wide receiver position. Mims finished his three-year college career with 2,398 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns on 123 receptions. He ranks in the top 15 in program history for receiving yards (eighth), receiving touchdowns (10th) and receptions (15th). Mims is a speedy receiver with solid separation skills and run-after-catch ability with good quickness and vision. And while undersized at 5-foot-11 and 177 pounds, Mims shows great effort as a blocker.
