Analyzing a 7-round Chargers mock

Happy Hump Day, Chargers fans. This article got suuuuuuuper long on accident and there’s no point in me making it any longer by adding a lengthy intro.

Today’s seven-round mock that we’re looking at comes from Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports. It hits on the majority of team needs without getting too crazy with reaches or unrealistic picks.

When you’re don reading, give me your thoughts in the comments.

Alright, let’s dive in.

Round 1, Pick #13: CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama

The first round of the draft can bring anything. Sometimes players who were expected to go between 15 and 25 can find their way into the too-10. Sometimes players that seem to be sure-fire top-10 picks fall out of that range, as well. In this mock, Patrick Surtain II falls all the way to the Bolts at #13 despite normally being the first cornerback off the board.

Surtain II tested like the elite athlete we all expected him to be as a NFL legacy and he also happens to fit the mold of a Brandon Staley corner: great in man coverage with excellent movement and ball skills at the second and third levels.

In his final season with the Tide, Surtain II was named the 2020 SEC Defensive Player of the Year after recording nine pass breakups, one pick returned for a touchdown, and 3.5 tackles-for-loss.

Round 2, Pick #47: OT/G Jalen Mayfield, Michigan

The Chargers get their potential left tackle in Mayfield but, to be honest, I’m not a fan of this pick at all. The former Wolverine tested poorly for someone getting second-round buzz and I don’t think Chargers fans want this type of athletic profile protecting the budding face of their franchise. There have been exceptions before (Orlando Brown) but if I’m the Bolts, I’m not willing to take this type of chance.

If you’re more of a film>testing person, then you probably enjoyed Mayfield’s tape as he went up against some of the best edge rushers in the Big Ten. That may be so, but you’re hard-pressed to get me to lean into a pick whose NFL comp, according to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, is current Chargers left tackle Trey Pipkins.

Round 3, Pick #77: OG Ben Cleveland, Georgia

I’ve had my eye on Cleveland as a prospect for the past few years now after I studied the Georgia offensive line back in late 2018. He intrigued me with his notable movement skills for a man his size while still offering the sheer, brute strength you’d expect for a man that stands 6’6 and 343 pounds.

The 2020 Third-Team Associated Press All-American started 25 games for the Bulldogs over his four-year career while battling some injuries during the 2018 season.

Cleveland likely fits best in a power run scheme where he can utilize his strength to kick out defenders and clear holes for ball-carriers but I believe his athleticism will keep him viable in any offensive scheme.

Round 3, #97: LB Dylan Moses, Alabama

Moses gained notoriety years ago after receiving scholarship offers from both LSU and Alabama as a eighth-grade student. He went on to be a five-star recruit, a high-school All-American, and the 2016 Dick Butkus Award winner for being the nation’s top linebacker at the prep level.

For the fun, here’s a video of a 6’0, 180-pound Moses at 12 years old:

Now standing at 6’3 and 240 pounds, Moses has some injury concerns after missing the entire 2019 season with an ACL tear, but that didn’t stop him from coming back strong and earning numerous All-American honors in his senior season at Alabama. In 12 starts, Moses totaled 76 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, an interception, and three passes defended en route to earning First-Team All-SEC honors.

Moses is best suited as a run-and-chase linebacker in a 4-3, similar to that of current Charger Kyzir White. He’s got a fairly lean build which, combined with his past injuries, may scare some teams from taking him too high. For an Alabama linebacker, he also doesn’t hit nearly as hard as you’d expect, which also doesn’t help his case as a potential field general in the middle of a defense. Overall, I think the end of the third round is a great place for Moses.

Round 4, Pick #118: WR Seth Williams, Auburn

With Mike Williams potentially gone in 2022, the Chargers could look to a receiver like Williams who offers similar size (6’3, 211 lbs.) and contested catch ability. This past season, Williams caught 47 passes for 760 yards and four touchdowns for Gus Malzahn’s run-heavy offense. His best season, however, came in 2019 when he collected career-highs of 59 catches for 830 yards and eight scores.

Williams doesn’t have game-breaking athleticism, but he actually beat Mike Will in most of the athletic tests, including the 40 (4.49), vertical jump (37 inches), and broad (10’4). Both show off strong hands at the catch point and the ability to consistently time their jumps just right to get a leg up on defenders in coverage.

Round 5, Pick #159: CB Shaun Wade, Ohio State

Prior to the 2020 season, Wade was considered a potential first-round draft pick in 2021. However, an extremely underwhelming campaign this past season made his draft stock plummet more than any other prospect.

Wade starred as a shutdown slot corner for the Buckeyes during his first two seasons in Columbus. But a transition to the outside in 2020 exposed him to a life that he’s probably not suited for at the next level. There’s a lot of talk about him potentially switching to safety in the NFL and I just might agree. He’s a sticky tackler who likes to stick his nose into defenders without hesitation and at the end of the day, he still has great film from 2018 and 2019. If his hype was that real over that span, I’m sure an NFL team will find a way to maximize his talents in some way, shape, or form.

Wade finished his time with the Buckeyes with six total interceptions and 18 pass breakups. Despite the down season by scout standards, it was still good enough to earn him First-Team All-Big Ten honors by the media and coaches.

Round 6, Pick #185: TE Kylen Granson, SMU

Granson transferred to SMU for his final two years of eligbility after playing wide receiver for Rice. While with the Mustangs, Granson was utilized all over the offensive front, lining up at receiver, tight end, and sometimes even in the backfield. The 6’1, 240-pound utility player recorded 78 receptions for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns for SMU en route to earning an invite to this year’s Reese’s Senior Bowl.

While at the Senior Bowl, Granson saw a ton of success in one-on-one drills against linebackers, showing a suddenness in his route-running that often left defenders looking as if they were running in sand. Despite being undersized for the position, Granson’s ability to be a play-maker for an offense is evident. His notable short-area quickness was backed up by him running a sub-7.0 in the three-cone drill (6.93) and his 36.5 in vertical also bodes well for his explosiveness on the field.

Round 6, Pick #198: DE Chauncey Golston, Iowa

This pick is close to my heart as I had the chance to watch Golston all throughout college as a fellow Iowa alum. He’s got decent size and athleticism at 6’5 and 270 pounds but where he stands out the most on film is his non-stop motor. At least, it was enough for Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy to point out just how notable Golston’s performance was during the all-star showcase this past January.

Golston would offer more of a true backup for Joey Bosa in terms of size and physical makeup. With his frame, Golston could even stand to add another 10 or so pounds in order to better prepare himself for the rigors of the professional game while providing some versatility as an interior rusher in obvious passing situations.

Round 7, Pick #241: CB Tay Gowan, UCF

For the team’s last pick, they double-dip at cornerback with Central Florida’s Tay Gowan, a 6’1, 186-pound defender with above average athleticism for the position. Gowan started his career at Miami (OH) before transferring to Butler Community College for one season. In 2019 after transferring back up to UCF, Gowan started nine games for the Golden Knights, picking off a pair of passes and breaking up eight more.

Gowan ended up opting-out of the 2020 season due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.