Chargers land top OT, C in Todd McShay’s latest mock

ESPN’s Todd McShay put out his latest two-round mock draft on Thursday and, I gotta say, it’s probably one of the most “best-case-scenario” mocks I’ve seen for the Chargers thus far.

This whole offseason, it’s been Rashawn Slater or Christian Darrisaw should the Bolts decide to go for their left tackle of the future. However, what if the run of quarterbacks and elite pass-catchers run a bit longer than expected through the first 12 picks? What if I told you that there’s a chance — a small chance — that Justin Herbert’s former left tackle at Oregon could actually fall to the Chargers at No. 13?

Well hold on to your powder blue hats because you’re going to love this mock.

Round 1, Pick #13: OT Penei Sewell, Oregon

BANG!

The Chargers land left tackle Penei Sewell after the top-10 is littered with team’s taking their future franchise quarterbacks and going on all-in on the draft’s best pass-catchers. Five quarterbacks, one tight end, three receivers, two corners, and the class’ top linebacker all go within the first 12 picks, leaving Sewell ready and available for the Bolts to take him with the 13th-overall pick.

Here’s what McShay had to say about the selection:

“Because he opted out in 2020, scouts are watching Sewell’s game tape from 2019 — when he was blocking for Justin Herbert at Oregon. Let’s reunite them. It’s a bit of a shock to see my third-ranked prospect fall this far, but nine of the top 12 picks were QBs or offensive playmakers, causing a mini-slide. The Chargers aren’t complaining. Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler were solid signings in free agency, but this offensive line still needs work. And Sewell is the best lineman in the class.”

It’s extremely hard to believe that Sewell would actually fall this far and it may be even more improbable following his pro day later today. His film shows an incredibly-athletic mover with elite power to match. Should his numbers falls anywhere around the top of his position, he’ll be a lock for the top-10.

In his 26 career games in Eugene, the 6’6, 325-pounder never allowed more than two pressures in a single game and has just one sack allowed in his 1,376 career snaps. As a true sophomore following the 2019 season, he became the first Oregon lineman to win the Outland Trophy. His honors didn’t stop there as he was also named the Pac-12’s Co-Offensive Player of the Year and a Unanimous First-Team All-American.

Round 2, Pick #47: C/OG Creed Humphrey

This pick may come as a surprise to many as the Chargers already have their new center in Corey Linsley, but the former Sooner has the flexibility to play either of the three interior positions which will give the Chargers plenty of flexibility alongside newly-signed guards Matt Feiler and Oday Aboushi. With this pick, McShay likely doesn’t believe Aboushi is the day one starter at right guard.

Here’s what he had to say:

“The Chargers just signed Corey Linsley, so I’d take Humphrey — who is versatile, strong and a good zone blocker — and move him from center to guard. Suddenly, with the free-agency signings, Penei Sewell and Humphrey, this unit has a lot of upside.”

McShay is right that the additions of Sewell and Humphrey give this line some serious upside to build off of in the coming years, but is it worth not selecting a corner or another important position like edge rusher? I’m just not so sure.

If the Bolts do land Humphrey at this point in the draft, the numerous offensive lineman aficionados among the fan base are surely not going to be disappointed. Humphrey is coming off a 2020 season where he did not allow a single sack on 401 passing plays. He was named a Third-Team All-American and a First-Team All-Big 12 selection, as well as being named the conference’s Offensive Lineman of the Year.

In 2019, he was also a finalist for the Rimington Award (nation’s top center) and a Second-Team All-American selection, as well. Overall, he started 37 of 39 career games played in at Oklahoma.