The 2023 NFL draft is still three months away, but we will supply you with in-depth coverage between now and then to inform you who the Chargers could be targeting with they’re on the clock.
With that being said, this will be the third installment of the three-round mock draft Thursday, where I will lay out different scenarios every week on how the first three rounds could play out for Los Angeles.
Round 1, No. 21, WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
At his end-of-season press conference, general manager Tom Telesco said that the Chargers needed to get faster at wide receiver. And there isn’t anyone that possesses more explosive game speed in this draft than Hyatt.
Hyatt caught 67 passes for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. He averaged 18.9 yards per catch, ranked 13th in the nation, and had 14 catches on balls thrown at least 20 yards downfield, tied for fourth.
Herbert’s 6.8 yards per attempt ranked 26th in the NFL in 2022, and Hyatt’s downfield ability would help turn that around toward the top of the league.
Round 2, No. 54, EDGE Will McDonald, Iowa State
The Chargers need more pass-rush juice behind Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, as Kyle Van Noy will be a free agent, and 2021 fourth-round pick Chris Rumph II has not produced in his first two seasons. McDonald would instantly improve the production at pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
With an excellent first step with the hips to bend the edge and the flexibility to drop his shoulder to get under blockers, violent hands, a wicked spin move, and the arm length (35″) to long-arm blockers, McDonald is a mainstay in opposing backfields.
In 2020, McDonald finished the season tied for first in the nation in sacks with 10.5. He was even more dominant in 2021, finishing seventh with 11.5 sacks. His sack total took a dip in his final season for the Cyclones, but primarily because he was used in various roles.
Best spin in the class… Will McDonald is a fun pass rusher pic.twitter.com/Dkz14pqlzg
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) February 7, 2023
Round 3, No. 85, TE Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State
With Gerald Everett only having one more year on his contract, Donald Parham’s injury concerns looming, and Tre’ McKitty’s underwhelming play, the tight end position needs to be addressed.
At 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, Kraft has a great blend of size and strength. He has good speed, short-area quickness and ball skills. Kraft has the run-blocking ability and toughness to be a solid contributor in that department. Additionally, he has experience playing in-line, in the slot, and out wide.
Kraft had 65 receptions (the most among FCS tight ends) for 773 yards and six touchdowns as a first-team All-American in 2021. In 2022, he suffered an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for eight games. He returned to finish with 27 receptions for 348 yards and three touchdowns.
South Dakota State’s Tucker Kraft working through three tacklers to get the first down… wowza.
The Jackrabbits star showing why he’s one of the best TEs in the 2023 NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/tV8OsKSsk2
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) December 10, 2022
