This year’s NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone, with those who performed well skyrocketing up draft boards while those who had a week to forget fade into obscurity.
Here are my four-round projections following the event.
Round 1, No. 13, OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State (via Raiders)
The Chargers have a lot of holes on the roster to fill, so trading back to acquire more draft capital is a legitimate possibility. In this scenario, Los Angeles trades with the Raiders, who come up eight spots to get their quarterback of the future.
Las Vegas gives up their second, fourth, sixth and next year’s second and fourth-round picks.
The Bolts are going to run the ball heavily, and Jim Harbaugh and company are going to build the trenches with road graders, which Fuaga is. The 6-foot-6 and 324 pounds, Fuaga is a massive man with the power and plus run-blocking skills to start at right tackle from Day 1.
Round 2, No. 37, CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
The Chargers will be in the market for a starting cornerback. Michael Davis will be a free agent. Asante Samuel Jr. made some great plays in coverage but also made some crucial mistakes and struggled against the run.
Lassiter is a complete cover corner who excels in press-man and zone coverages, possessing great instincts, football intelligence, hip fluidity and change-of-direction skills. Against the run, he is a very willing participant and a sound open-field tackler.
Lassiter finished his college career with 86 tackles, a sack, an interception and 14 pass deflections.
Round 2, No. 44, WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky (via Raiders)
Many, including myself, want the Chargers to draft a wide receiver with their first-round pick. But if they go a different direction, they can still find a bonafide playmaker later, as this wide receiver is stacked with studs like Corley.
Reminiscent of 49ers’ Deebo Samuel, Corley is a well-built receiver at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds with the after-the-catch playmaking skills. When Corley gets the ball in his hands, he finds creases to run with, gains extra yardage, breaks, and creates missed tackles with strength and explosiveness.
Corley finished with 9.2 yards after the catch per reception over the last two seasons. While he might not possess the vertical speed like some other receivers in this class, Corley would still provide a dynamic element in the quick passing game and gadget plays.
Round 3, No. 69, EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
The futures of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack are up in the air. I am predicting at least one to stay in Los Angeles. But then, the Chargers will need more players in the positional room.
When I watched Kneeland, he looked like a prototypical Ravens player, with his combination of strength, power and grit in the trenches, which general manager could be looking to add players that fit the mold. Kneeland’s play is also reminiscent of Tuli Tuipulotu.
Kneeland finished his four-year career at Western Michigan with 149 tackles, 28 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.
Round 4, No. 106, RB Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley are free agents. Isaiah Spiller is the only running back on the roster. Allen would be an excellent fit for Roman’s gap/power scheme.
Similar to Packers’ AJ Dillon, Allen is a big and physical back at 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds with good vision, patience, and contact balance, thriving as a downhill runner. For someone his size, Allen changes direction well in the open space and can catch the ball out of the backfield.
Allen finished his Wisconsin career with 3,494 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns on 597 attempts. He just turned 20 years old, so there is still plenty of gas left in the tank.
Round 4, No. 113, S Dadrion-Taylor Demerson, Texas Tech (via Raiders)
The Chargers need more playmakers on the back end of the defense. Alohi Gilman will be a free agent and former third-round JT Woods has been nonexistent in his first two seasons.
Taylor-Demerson is an exceptional athlete with great range, closing speed and instincts to read the quarterback and make plays on the football. Furthermore, he is a great blitzer.
Taylor-Demerson was top-10 in the Big 12 with four interceptions in 2023. He finished his career with 224 tackles, ten interceptions, 33 passes defended and two forced fumbles.
