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2 hours ago
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The Los Angeles Chargers' biggest need entering the draft, at least for me, was to get Justin Herbert adequate protection.
After 54 sacks last season (third-most in football), the need was glaring for Jim Harbaugh, and in free agency, center Tyler Biadasz, which was a good move.
But more was needed, and the draft was where the Chargers could get it, and they did, with Florida center Jake Slaughter selected.
However, as ESPN's Kris Rhim writes, there's a huge question mark over the pick simply due to how L.A. wants to use him.
"The Chargers drafted four offensive linemen, their most since 1991, led by second-round pick Jake Slaughter, a Florida center," Rhim wrote.
"L.A.'s biggest need was at guard, and Hortiz said the expectation is that Slaughter will compete to start at left guard. The only issue is that Slaughter never played a college snap at guard, but the Chargers are banking on him upgrading this line and keeping Herbert -- the league's most hit and pressured quarterback last season -- upright in 2026."
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This is what I was campaigning for, and yes, edge was also a need, but the Chargers will only go as far as Herbert takes them, which won't be far if he's constantly picking himself up off the turf.
But as Rhim wrote, the Chargers are looking to play Slaughter in a position he's never played before, which is a little odd.
Granted, he won't usurp Biadasz, but still, maybe Jake has more value to Mike McDaniel as a guard than center, at least right now.
Either way, drafting a player to help protect Herbert and then play him in a position he's never played before is certainly a choice.
Time will tell if it's the right one.
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