Chargers Improve Their Offense In the Draft

The Los Angeles Chargers were very successful at the 2017 NFL Draft held in Philadelphia from April 27-29. They filled a lot of needs and did it with players who not only could start right away but should have long careers in L.A.

1st Round: Mike Williams, Wide Receiver, 6'4", 220 pounds, 4.56 forty-yard dash. Williams was the rated the top wide receiver in this draft by many scouting services. He has good size, long arms and good focus. He does a great job of winning the 50/50 catches.

He does not have great speed but does have very quick feet which allows him to get off the line of scrimmage and gain separation. Played on the national championship winning Clemson Tigers and caught eight passes for 94 yards and one touchdown in the NCAA Championship game.

2nd Round: Forrest Lamp, Guard, 6'4", 310 pounds. Lamp was the top rated Offensive Guard in the 2017 Draft. He was a four-year starter at Western Kentucky. Two-time first team All-Conference.

Played left tackle in college but due to his size will be moved inside to guard. Could also play center. Very physical, aggressive with very good quickness. Good fit for a zone blocking scheme. Could start Day One.

3rd Round: Dan Heeney, Guard, 6'4", 305 pounds. Four year starter at Indiana. All-American, team captain. Athletic with quick feet. The #2 rated guard in the 2017 draft. A very good fit for a zone blocking scheme. Could start Day One.

4th Round: Rayshawn Jenkins, Free Safety, 6'1", 215 pounds, 4.51 forty. A three-year starter from Miami in the ACC. Missed the 2014 season with back surgery. Good size, good athlete with the speed to cover deep.

5th Round: Desmond King, Safety, 5'10", 205 pounds, 4.55 forty. A four-year starter out of Iowa. All-American, won the Jim Thorpe award as the top defensive back in the country in 2015. Played corner in college and could play corner in a Cover 2 defense but he Chargers are likely to stick him at Free safety, where his instincts and smarts will help.

6th Round: Sam Tevi, Offensive Tackle, 6'5", 315 pounds. Started two years for Utah, one year at left tackle and another year at right tackle. Good quickness, there is a chance he will be moved inside to guard.

7th Round: Isaac Rochell, Defensive End, 6'4", 280 pounds, 4.91 forty. Three-year starter and team captain at Notre Dame. Not a bad pick for a 7th round pick. He is a bit of a project but the talent is there.

Summary: The AFC West is very competitive and the Chargers need to score points to keep up with the high-powered offenses in Oakland and Kansas City. The team took a big step in addressing its offensive needs with their 2017 draft selections.

The Chargers were all in on getting better around Philip Rivers. Pairing Mike Williams with Keenan Allen will help the passing game. With three of the seven draft picks being on the offensive line, the running game and pass protection should show some improvement.