The Los Angeles Chargers have holes that need to be filled in the 2021 NFL Draft. However, per usual, offensive line remains the top need for the team. Taking a look at this full Chargers mock draft, we project a big trade to start things off, moving the team up to the seventh overall pick. There, the Chargers will address offensive line while also reuniting Justin Herbert with a former Oregon teammate, Penei Sewell.
Let’s take a look at the rest of the Chargers mock draft.
7-Round Chargers Mock Draft
| Round (Overall pick) | Player, Position | School |
| 1 (7) | Penei Sewell – OT | Oregon |
| 3 (77) | Jevon Holland – S | Oregon |
| 4 (118) | Trill Williams – CB | Syracuse |
| 5 (156) | Drake Jackson – IOL | Kentucky |
| 6 (185) | Dazz Newsome – WR | North Carolina |
| 6 (198) | Larry Borom – IOL | Missouri |
| 7 (241) | Cary Angeline – TE | North Carolina State |
OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
If there is only one prospect that is a perfect fit for the Chargers, it is Penei Sewell. The former Oregon Duck and protector of quarterback Justin Herbert would instantly boost the poor offensive line from 2020. Trading up for Sewell isn’t a huge priority for the Bolts, but it would make Herbert a lot happier knowing he has one of the best linemen prospects in recent memory blocking for him … again.
Sewell is projected to be drafted within the first eight picks, and it would be difficult seeing him fall below the 10th pick. There are always teams in the early first-round who need immediate help on the line, especially at left tackle where Sewell lines up.
I project the Chargers to trade up for the seventh overall pick from the Detroit Lions, in exchange for the 13th overall pick, along with the 47th, 97th and a 2022 second-round pick. The price for Sewell will be a steep one, but that shouldn’t stop the Chargers from going out there and getting their man. The Chargers are ready to win now, despite having a brand new coaching staff.
RELATED | Penei Sewell NFL Draft Profile and Highlights
S Jevon Holland, Oregon
The Chargers select safety Jevon Holland from the University of Oregon in the third round. The Bolts don’t draft Holland because he is another former Duck, like Herbert and Sewell, but because he will be the best defender on the board in the middle of the third round. It is definitely a plus that he already has a relationship with the franchise player, but his play on the field will be the reason he is drafted.
Like Sewell, Holland sat out the 2020 season to keep his body healthy and to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft. Holland is a playmaking safety and a ball hawk in the secondary. Around the time he decided to sit out the season, he was considered the top safety prospect in all of college football. There are many positives in Holland’s game, like zone coverage, explosiveness and he possesses good hands. The former Duck is as aggressive as any safety should be and will earn a role alongside Derwin James and Nasir Adderley.
CB Trill Williams, Syracuse
The Chargers select cornerback Trill Williams with the 118th pick. Williams is a flexible defender that can play both corner and safety. He’ll likely come in as a wide corner and help fill the need for the Chargers opposite Michael Davis. Williams is a long and lengthy corner who has elite speed. He can thrive in either man or zone coverage and has the potential to be an elite corner in this league. The cornerback position needs to be upgraded, and Williams provides depth with a chance to compete for a starting job.
The former Syracuse Orangeman finished with 15 solo tackles in 2020 and took back a 90-yard interception for a touchdown against Georgia Tech.
IOL Drake Jackson, Kentucky
The Chargers select center Drake Jackson from Kentucky with the 156th overall pick in the fifth round. Jackson served as the anchor for the Wildcats offensive line during his entire career. He proved to be a good one-on-one blocker, but will need time to adjust to the NFL before being a full-time starting center.
The former wildcat will serve as depth for the Chargers, who just signed center Corey Linsley in NFL Free Agency.
WR Dazz Newsome, North Carolina
With the 185th overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Chargers select wide receiver Dazz Newsome from North Carolina. The Chargers are not in need of a receiver for this year’s draft, but if Newsome is still on the board in the sixth round, then Los Angeles cannot pass on him. The current set of receivers for the Chargers are Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Jalen Guyton, Tyron Johnson, KJ Hill and Joe Reed. Newsome would provide solid depth for the Chargers, who have a ton of weapons for Herbert.
Newsome is primarily a slot receiver who has fast feet and quick route-running. Over two seasons at North Carolina, Newsome caught 126 passes for 1,702 yards and 16 touchdowns. Newsome is also a tremendous punt returner. He finished 2020 with 286 total punt-return yards on 21 attempts and one touchdown.
IOL Larry Borom, Missouri
The Chargers select guard Larry Borom from Missouri with the 198th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Borom is a versatile guard who even started eight games at right tackle during the 2020 season. He will serve as much-needed depth for the Chargers’ current corps of linemen.
TE Cary Angeline, NC State
With the 241st overall selection, the Chargers select tight end Cary Angeline from NC State. The former USC transfer collected 11 total touchdowns over his last two seasons at NC State. Angeline is 6-7 with great hands and a proven red-zone threat. He will serve as tight end depth for the Bolts who just signed Jared Cook.
