Chargers Mock Draft Roundup: What do projections look like one month out from draft week?
Who do experts think the Chargers will target in the 2023 NFL draft with the three-day event just a month away?
Get acquainted with a few names in the seventh installment of the Chargers 2023 NFL Mock Draft Roundup.
Selection (No. 21 overall): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Expert: Daniel Popper, The Athletic (link)
Analysis: “If the board falls this way, the Chargers could be tempted to take Texas RB Bijan Robinson as a potential replacement for Austin Ekeler, who has been granted permission to seek a trade. The Chargers also need some edge rushing depth, and Nolan Smith and Lukas Van Ness were available. But in Kellen Moore’s new offense, the Chargers will be using more 12 personnel, and they need an all-around tight end who can take over a Dalton Schultz-type role. Mayer is too good of a fit to pass up.”
Selection (No. 21 overall): Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Expert: Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire (link)
Analysis: “It is hoped that the switch from Joe Lombardi to Kellen Moore as the Chargers’ offensive coordinator will finally take Justin Herbert out of the aDOT nightmare he’s been living in, and the addition of Johnston with the 21st pick would certainly speed that along — literally. There are legitimate questions about Johnston’s hands and route acumen at this point in his career, but when you have a 6-foot-3, 208-pound receiver who flashes true track speed on the field, that’s a spicy meatball. Johnston caught 10 passes of 20 or more air yards on 25 targets for the Horned Frogs last season for 427 yards and five touchdowns, and he’s proven to be a YAC nightmare against enemy defenses when everything is on point.”
Selection (No. 54 overall): Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
Selection (No. 85 overall): Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
Selection (No. 18 overall, projected trade with Lions): Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Expert: 33rd Team (link)
Analysis: “Jalin Hyatt (scouting report) is an explosive wide receiver who would be a terrific complement to Keenan Allen and Mike Williams in Los Angeles. Hyatt’s ability to stretch the field would give the Chargers’ offense a new dimension. Some might’ve expected Hyatt to run a faster 40-yard dash time than 4.40 at the NFL Combine last month, but his speed on video is undeniable.”
Selection (No. 21 overall): Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Expert: Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (link)
Analysis: “Robinson is special, and while he is probably one of the best players in this class, he could still be around late in Round 1 because he’s a running back.”
Selection (No. 54 overall): Jartavius Martin, CB, Illinois
Selection (No. 85 overall): Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn
Selection (No. 21 overall): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Expert: Mike Tannenbaum, ESPN (link)
Analysis: “Keenan Allen and Mike Williams both have injury histories, and Allen is turning 31. Plus, Smith-Njigba is an ideal fit for a Justin Herbert-led offense. Smith-Njigba played in three games (five receptions) last season, but when healthy, JSN is a tremendous route runner and has exceptional hands. His record-breaking 15-reception, 347-yard, three-touchdown performance in the 2021 season’s Rose Bowl is difficult to forget.”
Selection (No. 21 overall): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Expert: Chad Reuter, NFL (link)
Analysis: “If Smith-Njigba is still on the board here, the Chargers should turn the card in for him as quickly as possible. He has the football IQ to contribute as a rookie from the slot or outside, providing crucial depth behind veterans Keenan Allen, Josh Palmer and Mike Williams.”
Selection (No. 54 overall): Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
Selection (No. 85 overall): Jakorian Bennett, CB, Maryland
Selection (No. 125 overall): Cameron Young, DT, Mississippi State
Selection (No. 21 overall): Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Expert: Brad Spielberger, PFF (link)
Analysis: “Wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams will be entering the final year of their contracts in 2024, and tight end Gerald Everett will be a free agent after the 2023 season. The Chargers add an elite pass-catching tight end prospect who can use a season to develop at a position that has a steep learning curve. That would go a long way for Kincaid, who is still relatively new to competitive football.
Kincaid led the FBS in 2022 with 2.55 yards per route run, 23 explosive receptions, 15 missed tackles forced and a 92.3 receiving grade — a clean sweep of receiving metrics. At just 6-foot-3 and 246 pounds, however, there will be questions about his blocking ability at the next level.”
