Taylor is a former five-star recruit, who has the potential to end Miami's first-round defensive tackle drought that goes back to Vince Wilfork (2004). The disruptive interior defender had 9.5 TFLs as a true freshman in 2021 and 10.5 in 2022, both of which either led or tied for the team lead. Per PFF, Taylor (19.5%) had the highest pass-rush win rate among returning IDL with at least 25 pass-rush snaps in 2022.
Six Ohio State players make the list here, though Burke needs to take the next step and play his way into Round 1. He has the talent to do it. Burke has only one interception through two years, but it was a pick-six. Michael Davis is a free agent after this season, and J.C. Jackson is returning off a right knee injury, so the cornerback room is an area that needs a boost. But the Chargers could also get a defensive tackle to shore up the run defense if there's one on the board.
As he developed chemistry with Ewers, Sanders set a school single-season record for a tight end with 54 catches and announced himself as a legitimate pro prospect. His athletic traits have the attention of scouts.
We saw two RBs go in the first round of the '23 draft and we thought Bijan Robinson would be a great fit for the Chargers had he still been available (he wasn't). They get that first-round RB here.
While the Chargers have committed to their young quarterback Justin Herbert by already accepting their fifth-year option on the former first-round pick, the future is more uncertain for fellow star Austin Ekeler, who is hoping for a similar payday. Ekeler deserves a raise, but if the Chargers opt to allow another club to pay it, they may pivot to the draft, where Henderson offers a similar frame and skill set at a fraction of the cost.
The Los Angeles Chargers did not address the defensive front in 2023, but in 2024, they turn the card in on Miami's Leonard Taylor. Taylor is a disruptive player who has top-level movement skills for his size (6-foot-3, 305 pounds). He has natural hands and can unlock his hips with ease. Taylor plays hard and is not an easy player to control for four quarters.
Even after selecting Quentin Johnston, the Chargers could stand to add some pass-catchers. Sanders is a freak athlete at 6-foot-4, 242 pounds, and his 32 combined receiving first downs/touchdowns in 2022 trailed only Dalton Kincaid, Michael Mayer and Brock Bowers among Power Five tight ends.
McKinstry would pair with Asante Samuel Jr. to give LA a potent 1-2 punch of young corners and, importantly, provide insurance should JC Jackson continue to struggle as a Charger. Kool-Aid allowed just a 62.3 passer rating when targeted last season.
After taking one former Trojan this year in second-round pass rusher Tuli Tuipulotu, the Chargers could stay local yet again with Bullock. The 6-3, 180-pounder is a rangy playmaker in coverage who would make for a dynamic pairing with Derwin James.
