NFL mock draft, 3 rounds: QBs, trades, surprises in latest predictions
2021 NFL Draft: 8th pick
TRADE: Panthers trade 8th pick to Chargers for 13th pick, 97th pick, 2022 pick
Penei Sewell. 8. 13. OT. Oregon. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
Chargers GM/HC: Tom Telesco/Brandon Staley
Eight picks into this 2021 NFL mock draft scenario and still not a single defensive player off the board.
It would almost be surprising to see something different, although the Carolina Panthers could surprise us all and just take Jaycee Horn here.
The Los Angeles Chargers cleaned house on their coaching staff after Justin Herbert had one of the best years for a rookie quarterback in league history.
The change in coaching staff may or may not be cause for concern with Herbert’s development. Hopefully, Joe Lombardi (the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator) is able to apply some of the things he learned under Sean Payton in New Orleans that didn’t work as well the last time he got an OC gig with the Detroit Lions (2014-15).
Herbert’s development also can’t be stunted because the Chargers failed to do everything they could to protect the guy.
Herbert was sacked 32 times in 2020 and while that number is not outrageous, the Chargers would obviously like to cut it in half if at all possible. Herbert has a playmaker gene and he’s going to take some sacks as a result of that, but adding a player like Penei Sewell will solidify the Chargers’ left tackle spot for a decade.
A number of linemen departed the Chargers’ program this offseason:
- Russell Okung
- Mike Pouncey
- Forrest Lamp
- Dan Feeney
The Chargers did bring in Matt Feiler and one of the best centers in the league Corey Linsley to begin the process of rebuilding that unit, but it’s still a work in progress. I would say the chances the Chargers will take an offensive tackle in the first round of this draft are around 100 percent, and the odds they trade up for a guy they like are high as well.