2021 NFL draft: Adding Alabama’s Landon Dickerson could pay dividends

As Dan Feeney and Forrest Lamp are set to enter free agency, the interior part of the offensive line is going to be a major need for the Chargers this offseason.

Los Angeles could elect to re-sign them. However, the team may see this as a prime opportunity to start fresh at both spots and relegate them to backups.

If they do, drafting a player like former Alabama center Landon Dickerson to fill in as a starter could go a long way.

Prior to his time with the Crimson Tide, Dickerson began his career at Florida State. He started a total of 12 games in a span of three seasons before transferring to Alabama as a graduate.

After each of his years ended due to season-ending lower body injuries, Dickerson moved to the interior with the Crimson Tide and took off.

In 2019, Dickerson started all 13 games. He produced positive marks both run- and pass-blocking, earning 76.8 and 84.8 grades, respectively. He also only surrendered just four quarterback pressures and zero sacks across 389 passing snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

In 2020, Dickerson was named first-team All-SEC (league’s coaches) and first-team All-American (Associated Press) while earning the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy and being named the winner for the Rimington Trophy, awarded to the best center.

This past season, he earned a 91.3 overall grade this past season to lead all centers and tied for the Power Five lead with 14 big-time blocks, per PFF.

Coaches and teammates loved Dickerson, who was considered an early first-round prospect before tearing his ACL in December. Dickerson was a great leader and captain for Alabama football, as he showed compassion to make a difference on and off the field.

While there are durability concerns, Dickerson possesses unmatched physicality, great strength, hands, and a high football IQ to flash dominance both in the pass and game. He has played all five spots along the offensive line, and that versatility could come in very handy.

Even if he isn’t ready to play at the beginning of the season, Los Angeles knows they would be getting a tone-setter and great person who would contribute to the locker room and community from Day 1.

There is some risk involved, given Dickerson’s injury history. But his upside is through the roof. Adding Dickerson would help significantly towards rebuilding a struggling offensive line.

If I were general manager Tom Telesco, I’d find a way to acquire him. Given the injuries, there’s a good chance that a handful of teams pass on him, only for him to be available when the Chargers are on the clock in the second-round.