2023 NFL draft: Gavino’s final 7-round projections for Chargers
Here it is! My final seven-round mock draft for the Chargers, with my prediction of who they’ll take with each of their picks.
Let’s dive in!
Round 1, No. 21, WR Jordan Addison, USC
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In most of these mock drafts, I’ve been sending a receiver whose game is predicated just on speed to the Chargers because that’s the missing element from the positional room.
But it might be challenging to pass on one with a well-rounded skill set, not only with speed but also with good hands, quickness and crafty route-running ability. Not to mention, a player 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.
Overall, 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.
Additionally, by drafting Addison this could be the successor to Keenan Allen in the slot, as Addison offers a lot that Allen does with the silky smooth route running chops.
Round 2, No. 54, EDGE Derick Hall, Auburn
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The Chargers have their fingers crossed in hopes of seeing Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack on the field together for a full season. However, they can’t bank on Bosa staying healthy. Additionally, Mack is not getting any younger. That’s why it’s imperative they bolster this position early in the draft.
At 6-foot-3 and 254 pounds with 34 1/2-inch arms, Hall is a high-motored and powerful rusher with the length, strength, explosiveness and violent hands to cause fits for offensive tackles. Hall is also one of the best run defenders in this class, something Los Angeles would benefit from, given their run defense issues on the perimeter last season.
In four seasons with the Tigers, Hall combined for 146 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, 19.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and an interception.
Hall was a Senior Bowl participant.
Round 3, No. 85, TE Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan
The Chargers still have Gerald Everett under contract for another year. Donald Parham has dealt with significant injuries in the past couple of seasons, including a scary concussion in 2021 and a hamstring strain in 2022. Tre’ McKitty has underwhelmed in his first two seasons.
Schoonmaker is known more for his blocking skills, but over the last two years of his collegiate career, he was a contributor in the passing game, catching 52 balls for 583 yards receiving and six touchdowns.
With the fluidity in his routes, field-stretching ability with his good speed, and his tenaciousness as a blocker, Schoonmaker would be a great fit in offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s system, stylistically comparable to Dalton Schultz, who Moore worked with during his time with the Cowboys.
Schoonmaker was invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Round 4, No. 125, LB SirVocea Dennis, Pittsburgh
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Even after signing Eric Kendricks, the Chargers still need more playmakers in the middle of the defense. Kenneth Murray, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, hasn’t lived up to his first-round billing. Kendricks, 31, isn’t getting any younger, either.
While slightly undersized at 6 feet and 227 pounds, Dennis is an experienced and vocal leader with the athleticism, range and a high level of instinctual mental processing to make plays all over the field. He also offers special teams value, having logged over 400 snaps in that department.
Dennis finished his four-year collegiate career with 239 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, five passes defended and a pair of interceptions.
Dennis was a Senior Bowl participant.
Round 5, No. 156, G Atonio Mafi, UCLA
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The Chargers have their starters set along the offensive line, but they still need depth and Mafi could come in and compete for the swing guard spot with Brenden Jaimes from the jump.
Just three years ago, Mafi was playing nose tackle for the Bruins. After making the position change to guard, Mafi still imposed his will, as he consistently moved people and held rushers at bay. The former rugby player is a bully with great feet and a strong anchor.
Mafi finished with an 88.3 run-blocking grade in his only full season as a starter in 2022.
It’s worth noting that in my interview with Mafi at the East-West Shrine Bowl, he told me that the Chargers have been watching him closely since his first collegiate season in 2018 and really loved his tape.
Round 6, No. 200, CB Mekhi Blackmon, USC
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J.C. Jackson’s status is unknown, as he is still recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon in Week 7. Furthermore, Brandon Staley said last year that as long as he is the head coach, the Chargers will always be looking to add players to the positional room.
At 5-foot-11 and 188 pounds, Blackmon is a physical player at the line of scrimmage with the athleticism and fluidity to carry receivers down the field and the ability to disrupt at the catch point. Versus the run, Blackmon is an aggressive, hard-hitting tackler with good instincts.
Across four seasons, three with Colorado and one with the Trojans, Blackmon posted 182 tackles, 33 passes defended (15 of which came in 2022, led Pac-12), six interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Blackmon was a Senior Bowl participant.
Round 7, No. 239, DT Brodric Martin, Western Kentucky
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The Chargers re-signed Morgan Fox after a stellar 2022 campaign. However, the interior defensive line depth chart is still slightly thin. And Austin Johnson and Otito Ogbonnia are still working their way back from their knee injuries this past season.
Towering at 6-foot-4 and 337 pounds with 34 3/8-inch arms, Martin is a stout interior defender who is strong at occupying double teams and eating up space to clear the way for linebackers.
Martin totaled 81 tackles, 37 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss, four passes defended, and two sacks during his collegiate career for the Hilltoppers. He earned an East-West Shrine Bowl invite, where he had two tackles and a fumble recovery.
It’s also worth noting that the Chargers have met with Martin.
