2020 NFL Draft: Top team needs for the Los Angeles Chargers

4. Interior Defensive Line

Notice a trend here? The Los Angeles Chargers have issues in the middle of their lines.

The difference is the Chargers do not have to draft a player at defensive tackle who will be asked to start immediately. Currently, Justin Jones (2018 third-round pick) and Jerry Tillery (2019 first-round pick) are set on the depth chart to play at the 3-tech defensive tackle position, while free-agent signing Linval Joseph is penciled in as the starter in the 1-tech position defensive tackle spot.

However, after Joseph, the Chargers lack any real contributors that can sub in or replace in case of an injury at the 1-tech spot. That’s where a rookie would come in.

A day-three pick (or perhaps the third round if a talented player slides to the Chargers) should be invested in a high upside defensive tackle that would benefit from learning behind Joseph and would hopefully take over as the starter in a few years when Joseph decides to hang up his cleats.

If Telesco can hit on a late-round gem at defensive tackle and Jerry Tillery can take the next step and improve on his rookie season, the Chargers could find themselves with a top 5 defensive line in the NFL.

Possible Options: Leki Fotu, Utah (day three), Bravvion Roy, Baylor (day three), Tyler Clark, Georgia (day three)

5. Linebacker

Many Chargers fans are probably scratching their heads and asking why not cornerback? It’s a fair question and truthfully, it came down to only one thing for me…the Chargers love for current free safety Rayshawn Jenkins. Let me explain.

In 2019, the Los Angeles Chargers used their second-round draft pick to select free safety Nasir Adderley out of Delaware. Unfortunately for the Chargers and Adderley, he suffered through a lingering hamstring injury in training camp and was put on Injured Reserve early in the year before he was able to earn any valuable playing time. Jenkins remained the starting free safety and won over his coaches hearts with his play. The rest is history.

So what does this have to do with linebackers? Well, don’t be surprised to see defensive coordinator Gus Bradley try Adderley at cornerback (his original position in college) instead of letting him sit behind Jenkins. Adding Adderley to the corner depth provides an instant boost to the unit and eliminates the need at corner. See? Told you it would all come together.

As with most positions on the defense, the linebacker unit isn’t in need of a rookie starter. Recent draft picks Kyzir White, Drue Tranquill and Uchenna Nwosu are penciled in as the current starters and will remain as such barring the Chargers drafting Isaiah Simmons with the sixth-overall pick in the draft.

Unlike defensive tackle, the Chargers should look for a high floor linebacker who might not ever become a star in the league but can come in and contribute immediately to the defense. If the Los Angeles Chargers do end up making the playoffs, they do not need a repeat of the blowout vs. the Patriots due to their severe lack of linebackers to play on the field.

Possible Options: Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State (day two), David Woodward, Utah State (day three), Justin Strnad, Wake Forest (day three),