The Chargers rounded out their 2023 NFL Draft with four more picks on Saturday. Three of their seven total picks came from one school, TCU, which played in the national championship last season at SoFi Stadium.
The Chargers’ primary goal heading into this draft was building out depth on both sides of the ball, and they were able to accomplish that at most of their top positions of need, including receiver, edge rusher and returner.
Advertisement
“Most” is the keyword there. The Chargers left some needs unfilled, and they have some more work to do in the coming weeks to fill out their roster.
Let’s break down the draft and assess where things stand.
The picks
• Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU, first round, 21st overall
• Tuli Tuipulotu, Edge, USC, second round, 54th overall
• Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State, third round, 85th overall
• Derius Davis, WR/KR/PR, TCU, fourth round, 125th overall
• Jordan McFadden, OL, Clemson, fifth round, 156th overall
• Scott Matlock, DL, Boise State, sixth round, 200th overall
• Max Duggan, QB, TCU, seventh round, 239th overall
Best pick
McFadden was the Chargers’ best pick of the draft. A tackle at Clemson, he has possible five-position flexibility on the offensive line. I commend Chargers coach Brandon Staley’s approach to investing in the offensive line year after year, both for starters and depth. The Chargers have taken five offensive linemen — Rashwn Slater, Brenden Jaimes, Zion Johnson, Jamaree Salyer and now McFadden — in Staley’s three drafts with the team. For comparison, in the three years prior to Staley being hired, general manager Tom Telesco drafted two offensive linemen: tackle Trey Pipkins in the third round in 2019 and center Scott Quessenberry in the fifth round in 2018. Johnson and Slater, of course, were both first-round picks.
Taking repeated swings on the offensive line, both with premium and later-round picks, is something that was missing for the Chargers before Staley arrived. And it has turned that position group into a roster strength — maybe the strength outside of star quarterback Justin Herbert.
Pick who will make the biggest immediate impact
Tuipulotu has the clearest pathway to significant playing time as a rookie. He is immediately the third edge rusher on the roster behind Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, and that fact alone pencils him in for about 25 snaps per game as soon as the regular season starts. On top of that, the Chargers really believe Tuipulotu has the ability to rush from the interior on known passing downs, and we could see some packages with Bosa, Mack and Tuipulotu all on the field together. Staley repeatedly touted Tuipulotu as a “point of attack” player, and that means the Chargers will feel comfortable playing him on early downs in their run fronts. He projects as an important piece for Staley’s defense.
GO DEEPER
Chargers draft Tuli Tuipulotu, providing needed depth behind Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack
Biggest surprise
The biggest surprise was the Chargers not drafting a tight end. Entering this weekend, I did not think the Chargers had the requisite pieces in their tight end room to effectively operate new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s system. Specifically, they are lacking an even average run-blocking tight end. My opinion has not changed. The Chargers were interested in a tight end on Day 2, but ultimately the board did not fall the right way.
Advertisement
Three tight ends went in the first 11 picks of the second round before the Chargers were on the clock. Edge was an equally important need, and the Chargers went with Tuipulotu. Three more came off the board before the Chargers were up again in the third round. They could have looked to take a tight end in the fourth round. But returner was a pressing need, and Davis had six return touchdowns in his career at TCU. Chargers special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken was the Vikings’ special teams coordinator when they drafted Kene Nwangwu in the fourth round in 2021. Nwangwu had two kickoff return touchdowns as a rookie and earned second-team All-Pro as a kick returner in 2022. I have faith in Ficken’s ability as a returner evaluator and have no issues with the Davis pick in the fourth round.
The Titans drafted Cincinnati’s Josh Wyle before the Chargers picked in the fifth round. The Chargers could have taken Purdue’s Payne Durham or Clemson’s Davis Allen at pick 156, but they opted instead for offensive line depth. The Chargers went for defensive line depth in the sixth round with Matlock. A tight end option there could have been Old Dominion’s Zack Kuntz, but he is a project, and I did not see him fitting what the Chargers needed in terms of an immediate impact inline blocker. Kuntz went 220th overall to the Jets in the seventh round.
Biggest question mark
How big of a role will Johnston carve out as a rookie? This will be a fascinating storyline to watch through OTAs and into training camp. Johnston has considerable upside as a yards-after-the-catch weapon. He is also a raw prospect who needs to develop as a route runner, and he will have at least three receivers ahead of him on the depth chart entering the summer in Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer. The Chargers and Moore should cater Johnston’s role to his YAC skillset in Year 1: slants, crossers, jet sweeps, anything to get the ball in his hands on the run. But I think the range of outcomes for Johnston in 2023 is pretty wide. He is a big play waiting to happen. We will see how many of those big plays come to fruition this season.
GO DEEPER
Chargers want more explosiveness on offense, and Quentin Johnston brings just that
Remaining needs
Tight end. Cornerback. Safety. In that order. The Chargers did a good job of pursuing their needs in this draft. They needed more explosive talent in their receiver room. Johnston checks that box. They needed a plug-and-play rotational edge. Tuipulotu checks that box. They needed an inside linebacker with special teams upside after both Drue Tranquill and Troy Reeder walked in free agency. Henley checks that box. They needed a kick and punt returner. Davis checks that box. They needed interior offensive line depth behind Zion Johnson and Jamaree Salyer. McFadden checks that box. They needed interior defensive line help, as Austin Johnson and Otito Ogbonnia are both coming off significant knee injuries. Matlock checks that box. And Duggan checks the box of adding some competition for Easton Stick at backup quarterback.
I already detailed what the Chargers should be looking for at tight end. They could use a depth corner with inside and outside flexibility. I think Ja’Sir Taylor should have some competition for the starting slot corner spot. And there is still some uncertainty as to how much cornerback J.C. Jackson plays this season. At safety, the Chargers have J.T. Woods and Alohi Gilman competing for the spot next to Derwin James. They liked what Raheem Layne brought as a rookie last season. But another piece here would create some competition and depth. John Johnson, who starred for Staley with the Rams in 2020, remains a free agent.
Advertisement
Post-draft outlook
The Chargers can look to free agency to make their finishing touches to the roster. Last year, they made several outstanding value signings in May — Kyle Van Noy at edge rusher, Bryce Callahan at slot corner and Morgan Fox at interior defensive line. A similar post-draft free agency period this year could really elevate the roster into Super Bowl-contention territory. Callahan remains a free agent. Same with Van Noy, but that move is less likely after the Tuipulotu pick.
The free agent market at tight end is not particularly enticing, especially considering the run-blocking skillset the Chargers need. Geoff Swaim is still available, and he has familiarity with Moore, who was his teammate with the Cowboys from 2015-17, while Moore was still playing as a reserve quarterback. Moore then transitioned to quarterbacks coach in 2018, which was Swaim’s final year in Dallas. Former Broncos tight end Eric Tomlinson is another free agent run-blocking option.
(Photo of Quentin Johnston: Kevin Abele / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
