The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine is officially in the books. So how will it affect the Chargers’ draft plans?
Below are my latest four-round projections.
Round 1, No. 17, EDGE David Ojabo, Michigan
The Chargers could go in various directions with their first-round pick, whether that be defensive tackle, cornerback, wide receiver, offensive tackle, or like they do here by addressing the edge defender room.
Uchenna Nwosu is a prime candidate to be re-signed when free agency begins next week, but this is a league where you can’t have too many pass rushers in today’s NFL.
Wreaking havoc opposite the potential No. 1 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson, Ojabo posted 11 sacks and five forced fumbles in his final season for the Wolverines.
While he needs to get stronger to hold up against the run consistently, Ojabo is long and flexible with explosiveness off the snap, lateral agility, and closing burst to get after the quarterback at a high level.
The 6-foot-4 and 250 pound Ojabo showed off his elite athletic traits in Indy, posting a 4.55 40, 35-inch vertical jump, 10-foot-2 broad jump, and 4.45-second shuttle.
Round 2, No. 48, DT Phidarian Mathis, Alabama
Georgia’s Jordan Davis should be high on the Chargers’ draft board after he tested out of this world, but the Ravens already took him in this simulation. So instead, the team lands another stud interior defender.
Mathis amassed 53 total tackles, nine sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and two blocked passes in 2021. He received second-team All-SEC and All-American honors.
With his length, violent hands, lower-body strength, lateral agility, and ability to anchor, Mathis can create interior pressure just as well as he can defend the run at the next level, drawing parallels to Akiem Hicks.
Mathis did not run the 40-yard dash but still finished fifth in the broad jump (9-foot-11) among defensive tackles. Mathis was also a top performer in the 20-yard shuttle (4.91 seconds).
Round 3, No. 79, CB Coby Bryant, Cincinnati
“Corner is definitely going to be something that we’re looking at. We’re always going to be looking at it as long as I’m the head coach,” Brandon Staley said at his presser at the Combine.
This is a position that the Chargers could address in Round 1 if Derek Stingley, Sauce Gardner, or Trent McDuffie are available. But if they’re not, they could still take one on Day 2, especially if they land a starting corner in free agency.
Overshadowed by the impressive resume of Gardner, Bryant ended a strong five-year career for the Bearcats on a high note, being named the Jim Thorpe Award winner.
Strong in both man and zone coverage, Bryant has the size and length coupled with the smooth footwork, physicality, and confidence at the catch point to be a solid contributor early on in this league.
Round 4, No. 121, WR Velus Jones Jr., Tennessee
The Chargers need speed in the wide receiver room and they finally fulfill that to kick off Day 3 with one of the workout warriors from this past week at the Combine.
At 5-foot-11 and 207 pounds, Jones ran a blazing 4.31 40, which marked the fourth-fastest among all participants at the event.
Jones was a 2019 All-Pac-12 performer at USC before becoming a 2021 All-SEC selection with the Vols, where he was a dynamic receiver and a return specialist at Tennessee.
In 2021, Jones had 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. He also finished as the FBS active leader with 2,973 kick return yards.
Not only would he give Los Angeles the speed on offense, but he would be a strong candidate to fill in as the kickoff returner if Andre Roberts is not re-signed.
