With the 22nd overall pick in the draft, the Los Angeles Chargers may not get their pick of the litter, so to speak. However, that does not mean that there will not be some stellar players to choose from considering the depth of this draft class at multiple positions.
In Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft, he projects that Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods would be the most likely selection for the team. He writes, “Woods looked like a top-10 pick heading into the season, but the production dipped, and here he is outside the top 20. The Chargers won’t complain, though. They would love to bring in a talented 3-technique with strength and versatility. At his best, Woods can wreck an opponent’s game plan. Can coach Jim Harbaugh (and maybe defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, if he isn’t hired elsewhere as a head coach) get Woods’ game back to that level? If so, he’d be a really good replacement for free agent Teair Tart”.
While Woods certainly did not play at his best this season, the Chargers could use all the D-line help they can get. Even with the highest amount of cap space in the league, chances are the Chargers would be more willing to invest it in a high value O-lineman rather than along the defensive front.
Why Peter Woods Makes Sense at No. 22
Plus, add in the fact they have mostly been relying on third round rookie Jamaree Caldwell to carry the load up from after missing out on Ravens DT Travis Jones, Woods would be someone who at the very least the Chargers can hope to plug and play.
After all, when scouts speak of Woods, they still talk about the traits that could have made a him a top 10 draft pick. With an explosive first step that truly tests interior O-lineman and as someone who understands hand-fighting techniques, Woods can really make this Chargers front stand out not just off the edge but being able to collapse the interior against opposing offenses.
Add in the fact that NFL teams have literally been scouting him since high school and it’s not like therest of the league would bat an eye. In fact, it may even be a huge steal considering the new ranking for Woods.
High Upside, But Development Still Required
The negatives though are still there and depending on whether or not Jesse Minter will remain as DC next year, will have to be coached out of him. He is not the best rusher against pass pro, and sometimes relies too much on power to overwhelm O-lineman, causing a disadvantage when he wants to disengage them.
Still, with a player who has all the intangibles to succeed at the next level, the Chargers should be willing to take a big swing. Most importantly, it would fill a hole that isn’t all that urgent, leaving them with the requisite cap space to take a massive swing at an elite O-lineman in the free agent market.
Woods may not be as hyped up as he was before the season, but he still will add value to this ever-growing Chargers defense.
Christopher Sheppard Christopher Sheppard is a passionate and knowledgeable sports journalist based in Englewood, NJ pursuing a role in the sports media industry. He covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, focusing on the Dolphins, Chargers, and Buccanneers. More about Christopher Sheppard
More Heavy on Chargers
Loading more stories