NFL Media’s Chad Reuter released his latest three-round mock draft. In it, he sees the Chargers addressing the defensive side of the ball in the first two rounds and the interior part of the offensive line in Round 3.
With their first-round selection, Los Angeles selects former Georgia safety Malaki Starks.
Starks is a versatile defender with excellent cover skills who’s capable of playing free safety or nickel, depending on the Chargers’ needs.
The Chargers have bigger needs in the trenches if they go defense in Round 1, but there’s no denying they would benefit from Starks’ presence on the backend from Day 1. Arguably the top safety in this class, Starks is great in coverage and at stopping the run.
In Round 2, L.A. bolsters the defensive line with the selection of former Florida State defensive tackle Joshua Farmer.
Poona Ford and Teair Tartt are both set to hit the free agency market. And even if they’re re-signed, the positional group still needs more juice.
Farmer is an imposing defender at 6-foot-3 and 314 pounds with over 35-inch arms. He uses his length and upper-body strength very well to hold the point of attack and move blockers back. Farmer also possesses the get-off lateral quicks to quickly get into the backfield.
With their selection in the third round, the Chargers add former Boston College center Drew Kendall.
The Chargers have a hole at center with Bradley Bozeman’s contract expired. Bozeman is a candidate to return, but the team needs to start thinking about having a long-term plan for the position. Kendall possesses the athletic ability, play strength and run-blocking skills to fight for a starting job.