The Chargers almost have to draft an interior defensive lineman in this year’s NFL Draft. Their team is ready for another playoff run in 2019, but the defense, solid on the second and third levels, needs a better foundation up front. The Patriots exposed this weakness in the divisional round of the playoffs, as Sony Michel tore apart Los Angeles.
Scheming played a hand in Los Angeles’ downfall versus the Patriots, but if they’d had stronger play up the middle, they may have been able to pull off their secondary-heavy look that worked so well against Lamar Jackson. Competence across levels on defense allows coaches to be more creative with versatile pieces, such as Derwin James. So with the No. 28 pick, the Chargers should look for competence on the defensive line, and one prospect who fits the bill is Christian Wilkins.
Part of a vaunted defensive line group hailing from Clemson, Wilkins has impressive size and production on his resume. Standing at 6-foot-4, 300, Wilkins was a tackle-for-loss machine in college, logging 40.5 stops behind the line and 16.0 sacks in four seasons as a full-time starter.
In the NFL, Wilkins offers early experience, technical prowess, and inextinguishable effort. While he lacks length, Wilkins has a nice blend of athletic talent and detailed refinement that should make him an attractive selection for the Los Angeles Chargers. He has a high floor, which is what Los Angeles, a team built to win now, needs from their first-round rookie.