By The Los Angeles Chargers will be front and center at the NFL Draft early on with their fifth overall pick. Los Angeles has been rumored to want to take either a wide receiver or offensive lineman with the pick, given their most pressing needs. However, there has also been speculation that the team may be looking to move down to gain more draft capital.
The Chargers have multiple holes along their roster but have been building the team to resemble what new head coach Jim Harbaugh wants. Harbaugh typically likes to create strong play within the trenches on both sides of the ball, making the offensive line a priority.
In a recent mock draft by Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today, they have the Bolts trading back with the Minnesota Vikings to land pick No. 11 and No. 23. With pick No. 11, the Chargers take a player that will make Harbaugh very happy, offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga out of Oregon State.
“In trading back, the Bolts gain additional resources to rebuild a roster that’s decidedly in transition. Meanwhile, Fuaga figures to be exactly the kind of aggressive, overpowering force at right tackle that Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman will prize in establishing a rugged running attack.”
The Bolts’ offensive line last year had major issues, leaving quarterback Justin Herbert to scramble for his life at times in games. Harbaugh is deadset on fixing these issues and bringing in a talent like Fuaga helps plenty.
He stands at six-foot-six, weighing 324 pounds and uses his strength to his advantage. Fuaga shines most during pass protection but can use his athleticism to get in front of defenders against the run.
This is exactly the type of pick that Harbaugh would love to see from the Bolts early on in the draft. Los Angeles is looking to get themselves back into a place of contention and the draft is one of the best places to make that happen.
