Drake London, USC Trojans, Los Angeles Chargers. (Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
The Los Angeles Chargers have 11 picks to improve their overall roster in the 2022 NFL Draft.
After narrowly missing out on the AFC playoffs, the Los Angeles Chargers look to fill some holes on their roster in the 2022 NFL Draft.
This is a critical year for the Bolts, especially head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco. Even though the Chargers play in a deep AFC West division, this team needs to make the playoffs in 2022. They cannot waste a third year of Justin Herbert’s rookie contract with another premature exit. Should the Chargers qualify for the NFL postseason, they might go on a big run.
Here is what the Chargers can do with their 11 picks in their latest 2022 NFL mock draft.
Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft – First Round
17
Drake London
WR USC Trojans
The Chargers could go in many different directions with their first-round pick at No. 17 overall. Though it could serve them to wait until day two to take a wide receiver, this is a primary need for them entering the draft process. Since the Bolts need to figure out fast how to take any potential market share they can garner in the Los Angeles area, taking Drake London out of USC could help.
While USC was an unmitigated disaster throughout London’s time in Los Angeles, he will be going go a team that should be expected to contend for playoff berths for years to come. His time in the Pac-12 briefly overlapped with Herbert’s at Oregon. Though there are several other excellent up-and-coming passers in the NFL, Herbert’s ceiling is incredibly high. Will he reach it is the question.
By adding one of the few bright spots off last year’s USC roster to the mix in London, that could do wonders for Herbert’s continued growth and development as a pro passer. No, this is not like the Cincinnati Bengals drafting Joe Burrow’s college teammate Ja’Marr Chase the year after his arrival, but Herbert needs a star No. 1 wide receiver he can grow with to win the Battle of Los Angeles.
Look for members of the Trojan Family to root for the Bolts if London ends up with the Chargers.