Chargers trade back, stockpile both sides of ball in latest four-round mock draft

The Chargers have the No. 13 overall selection in this year’s draft, but there’s the possibility of the thought of moving back and acquiring more picks via trade with a quarterback-needy team could intrigue.

In this case, the Bears, who could be looking to take their quarterback of the future, choose to move up seven spots to get their guy. In return, Los Angeles gets their first, third and fifth-round picks.

Let’s take a look at how the Bolts’ draft shakes up after trading back in my latest four-round projection.

Round 1, No. 20 (via CHI), Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

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Here, I was hoping to select Oklahoma State's Tevin Jenkins. However, he was taken a couple spots earlier by the Raiders. Nonetheless, the Chargers trade back a few spots and are still able to find the solution to their problems at the left tackle position. Throughout the 11 games in 2020, Darrisaw only allowed six pressures and no sacks, finishing with a 95.6 overall grade by Pro Football Focus and earning second-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-ACC accolades. On the field, the 6-foot-5 and 314 pounder is smooth in pass pro, showing anchor ability, strength, body control, proper hand technique and awareness to shut down a variety of pass rushers. In the run game, he flashes strength to move defenders. He shows solid ability to reach and has the athletic traits and movement skills when getting to the second level to pave the way for ball carriers. Now, there are times when it looks like he may be in cruise control a little bit, lacking overall quickness and a sense of urgency, both things that he will need to get a sense for at the next level. Overall, Darrisaw's excellent ability in pass protection, physicality in the run game, size and length and overall experience at the position give him All-Pro potential.

Round 2, No. 47, Jevon Holland, S, Oregon

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The Chargers will be needing to upgrade the safety position. Not only does the team have three players at the position on the roster, head coach Brandon Staley's defense requires a lot of three-safety sets, with players who can play a variety of roles. Holland displayed that versatility for the Ducks, having lined up in the box, the slot and from a two-high safety spot. He was asked to man up tight ends and receivers in the slot. He served as a key piece in the pass and run defense. Holland's speed, instincts and strength should bode well in coverages against opposing receivers. Also, he is high effort player who is not afraid to stick his nose in to make a tackle. In addition, he can serve as a punt returner and contributor on coverage units. Overall, his style of play should be a good fit for Los Angeles, offering the positional versatility with his ability to play safety or nickel corner at a high level, something that will give the team a lot to work with in the back end of the defense.

Round 3, No. 77, Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford

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The Chargers will also be in search of a corner who's capable of starting from Day 1. Adebo had a phenomenal sophomore year with the Cardinals. He seemed destined to be a first-round pick, but his junior tape was inconsistent, so Adebo wanted to solidify his name as a top corner and returned to school for 2020. However, COVID-19 put things to a halt, forcing him to opt out. Built with a long and rangy physique, Adebo shows the looseness and fluidity, rarely allows any separation on vertical routes. He shows receiver-like ball tracking abilities when the ball is in flight. He can control the rep and dictate where the receiver goes in press and is always aware in zone. Adebo is also very good in run support, diagnosing things develop in the snap of a finger and shooting downhill to make stops in the open field or near the line of scrimmage with textbook technique. Overall, Adebo's fluidity, reactive athleticism and his playmaking abilities against the pass and run make him a plug-and-play cornerback for Staley. His effort and play speed would allow him to serve as a gunner on the punt team unit, as well.

Round 3, No. 83 (via CHI), Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville

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After going defense with their last two picks, the team can't forget to build around QB Justin Herbert, which is why the Chargers go receiver here. After getting his chance to be the full-time starter in 2019, Atwell exploded setting receiving records for the Tigers, finishing with almost 1300 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. Atwell is small but mighty, capable of taking the top off the defense every time he’s on the field. He gets to top gear in a flash, accelerating into his routes and does a nice job of creating separation at all areas of the field. He’s capable of breaking tackles and creating for himself in the open field. Given how much Herbert likes to air it out, Atwell could quickly become a consistent target and he could be a reliable return man for a struggling special teams unit.

Round 3, No. 97, Aaron Banks, G, Notre Dame

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The Chargers signed Oday Aboushi to a one-year deal with many expecting that he would be the Day 1 starter at right guard. But based on Staley’s comments from his press conference a couple of weeks ago, it appears that he will be competing for the job this summer. Banks, the three-year starter at left guard was an anchor for the success of The Fighting Irish over that time span. The first-team All-American allowed just two sacks in 844 snaps as a junior. According to Pro Football Focus, Banks was the only Power Five guard who earned a pass-blocking and run-blocking grade over 80.0. At 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds, Banks is a rugged, good-sized mauler as both a pass protector and run blocker who won’t lose many one-on-one battles due to his frame, strength and physical attitude, projecting as long-term starter.

Round 4, No. 117, Dayo Odeyingbo, EDGE, Vanderbilt

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The Chargers will be looking to upgrade their depth at EDGE and along the interior part of the defensive line. Well, why not get a player who's impactful from the outside and inside the tackles? Displaying a rare combination of size and length at 6-foot-5 and 276 pounds with arms over 35 inches, Odeyingbo has a ‘first off the bus’ physique that Staley would fall in love with. But it's his play on the field that should be the selling point. He has a great first step, burst, power and an adequate arsenal of moves to work with. Odeyingbo operates with strong, heavy hands and his long arms at the point of attack. Against the run, he displays good gap integrity, sets a strong edge and awareness to track ball-carriers when engaged. One of Odeyingbo's very few red flags is that he tore his achilles prior to the draft and will likely miss his rookie season. However, he could take the season to fully recover and return in 2022, where he would be a serious threat against the pass and run.

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