BoltBlitzLIVE today at 3pm. Here is the Facebook link to the shows page and we'll post a link shortly before the show. https://www.facebook.com/groups/672125229523655/?ref=bookmarks
Guests Include ESPN Chargers Beat Writer Eric Williams and Reporter for the Chargers and Rams NBCLA Nick Hamilton.
The Chargers have 4 picks in the top 120. That is 4 valuable players added to the already achieving roster. Even if fans don't like the 1st pick from the Chargers it doesn't mean the draft is a failure. They have 7 picks in a highly rated draft of prospects. As the Draft moves closer you are really beginning to get a sense of at least where other teams are going to go now.
Telesco has stated pretty convincingly that he won't make a trade this year in Round 1. There is no reason to really. There is plenty of talent in many positions all through the draft. Just wait for the draft to come to 17. The Chargers roster is loaded with talent but they were 9-7 for a reason. They have some holes that cost them games in 2017. Yes, more than just the kicker.
The Chargers struggled against the run. They were last in the league in yards allowed (4.9). The studs on the defense saved them in Bosa, Ingram, King, and Hayward. They only allowed 1 opponent 300 yards in passing. That was their nemesis in the New England Patriots.
If Jason Verrett can just stay on the field it would help dramatically. Verrett only played 25 out of 64 games. He has been out on the field for 323 snaps in 2 YEARS! Unacceptable and Unreliable. If Verrett can't stay on the field for at least 14 of 16 games in 2018. He will be wearing a different jersey in 2019. He might be selling real estate if it's a lot less games. The problem for the coaching staff is they can pencil him in there on Sundays. But they always have to be thinking of a backup plan with Verrett just in case.
A run stuffing interior defensive player coupled with a quality upgrade at LB and the Chargers can search for a safety and other needs in the middle to late rounds. Gus Bradley defense will be locked and loaded. Philip Rivers has the most weapons in his career in 2018 in Allen, Williams, Hunter, and Gordon this teams seems ready to make the next step. However, Tom Telesco can't have his 2 top draft picks out for the year. Telesco has to hit in the 2018 draft. A grand slam is not needed just a hit in the first 5 selections. The rest of the AFC West teams have seemed to have taken a step back. Their eyes should be on the Raiders as the Chargers look to win the AFC West for the first time since 2009.
The 2018 NFL Draft from Dallas, Texas will take place in 18 days. We are 8 days away from voluntary off season workouts starting up for the Chargers.
Here is what you might expect come draft day. The Giants are in love with RB Saqoun Barkley http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2018SBarkley.php. He will be their RD 1 selection. Knowing that and sitting with the 2nd pick. The Giants very well could be looking for partners to trade down. There no shortage of viable partners. The Bills and Giants could swap picks allowing the Bills to choose their QB.
The Browns are pretty confident about getting their players by staying at pick 1 and 4. A QB and DE Bradley Chubb or RB Saquon Barkley. They have narrowed their QB selection down to Sam Darnold or Josh Allen. I expect Allen to be the 1st pick of the Draft. Shocking some who think Sam Darnold has it wrapped up. The Browns have changed their draft philosophy as Bill Parcells has been their consultant in 2018. They are no longer making analytics be their guiding principle. Trusting their eyes more should get them better results moving forward.
The Bills and Giants trade possibilities we just discussed. Another one to watch is pick 5. The Bills and Broncos. The Bills are said to be ready to choose Josh Allen if the Browns pass. Mayfield could have suitors in the Dolphins and Saints. The Redskins want Da'Ron Payne and I could see Vita Vea gone to the Raiders at 12, Colts like Quentin Nelson. The Bucs and Bears are expected to draft safeties which would take Minkah Fitzpatrick and Derwin James off the board at 7 and 8 pretrades. The 49ers I would think will go Tremaine Edmunds in that scenario.
Now some chatter that the Saints want Baker Mayfield. That would be a trade with maybe the Bears at 8 from selection 27. A huge leap but that is exactly what KC did last year to grab Patrick Mahomes. If the trades happen then most of the mocks go to hell. But the general idea is the same.
I believe the top 3 QB will go by pick 5. That is Allen, Darnold and Rosen.
Let's examine how the picks 1-32 teams are right now and the needs they'll be seeking to fill.
2018 NFL Draft Order with teams needs
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000855910/article/2018-nfl-draft-order-and-needs-for-every-team
The guessing game of who will be there and who will be gone is anyone guess. But let's examine who I believe the team will be watching closely. Who falls to them and who can surprise Telesco by falling and change his pick.
The Chargers draft board should be as follow per Thomas Powell for RD 1 only.
RIGHT TACKLES
RT Connor Williams Texas
RT Orlando Brown Alabama
That said...
Others could fall but I see it very unlikely. These are your "most probable" Round 1 pick 17 choices. Yet, I'd still think Vea, Payne, Davenport won't be there at 17.
Other names of note in the later rounds...
I Love RB in Rd 3 Nyheim Hines from North Carolina State. He's a RB, PR and KR.
http://draftanalyst.com/nyheim-hines
DT Tim Settle VT
http://draftanalyst.com/tim-settle
DT Nathan Shepard Fort Hays (Chargers met with him)
https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2018/02/01/nathan-shepherd-nfl-draft-profile/
DT Derrick Nnadi Florida St
http://www.tankathon.com/nfl/players/derrick-nnadi
DE DaShawn Hands Alabama
http://www.tankathon.com/nfl/players/da-shawn-hand
S Jessie Bates Wake Forest
http://www.tankathon.com/nfl/players/jessie-bates
S Ronnie Harrison Alabama
http://www.tankathon.com/nfl/players/ronnie-harrison
DB/ Kameron Kelly SDSU (move him to safety)
http://www.tankathon.com/nfl/players/kameron-kelly
OLB Uchenna Nwosu USC (Chargers really like him in Rd 2)
http://www.tankathon.com/nfl/players/uchenna-nwosu
OLB Malik Jefferson Texas
http://www.tankathon.com/nfl/players/malik-jefferson
RD 7 K Eddy Pineiro Florida
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/eddy-pineiro?id=32462018-0002-5601-73a3-d33e2fbd6e07
Thanks for Reading.
BoltBlitzLIVE today at 3pm Here is the Facebook link https://www.facebook.com/groups/672125229523655/
Guests Include ESPN Chargers Beat Writer Eric Williams and Reporter for the Chargers and Rams NBCLA Nick Hamilton
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