NFL Draft Recap: Los Angeles Chargers: 2023 NFL Draft Outlook

The Los Angeles Chargers are one of more quiet teams during the NFL Draft. While some teams like to make trades and move around, the Chargers typically stay put and make their assigned picks.

Los Angeles was no different this year. The team had their original seven picks and made all of them.

Meanwhile, most mock drafts had the Chargers taking a wide receiver with their first-round pick. Therefore, no one should be surprised that the team spent their top pick on TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston.

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Who Did The Los Angeles Chargers Draft On Offense?

The Chargers have a talented duo of wide receivers in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. They are also high on Joshua Palmer. However, Allen struggled with injuries last year, while Williams could be a salary cap casualty next offseason. Johnston had an excellent 2022 season, totaling 60 receptions for 1,069 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

However, Johnston wasn’t the only TCU wide receiver the Chargers drafted last week. The team spent a fourth-round pick on Derius Davis. He had 112 receptions for 1,513 receiving yards and nine touchdowns at TCU. More importantly, the rookie receiver scored five touchdowns on 44 career punt returns in college.

After using a fifth-round pick on Clemson guard Jordan McFadden, the Chargers decided they didn’t want to break up the band. The team used their seventh-round selection on TCU quarterback Max Duggan. Last year he finished second in the Heisman voting after throwing for 3,698 yards and 32 touchdowns. Furthermore, Duggan finished second on the team in rushing touchdowns (nine).

Who Did The Los Angeles Chargers Draft On Defense?

After using their first-round pick on Johnston, the Chargers turned their attention to the defense. They used their second-round pick on USC edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu. The former Trojan had 13.5 sacks last season, the most in college football. He should see plenty of work behind starting edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.

Los Angeles used their third-round pick on Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley. The team lost veteran Drue Tranquill to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. Henley should fill the veteran’s role as a rookie. The Chargers also spent a sixth-round pick on Boise State defensive lineman Scott Matlock. He should play rotational snaps this year before potentially taking on a larger role in 2024.

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