The Los Angeles Chargers got off to a bit of a curious start in free agency, clearing a ton of cap room by releasing Joey Bosa only to sign backup level players to add depth. However, the recent signing of Mekhi Becton changed the overall outlook of the first wave of free agency for the team considerably.
Looking at the roster as it currently stands, it looks quite formidable… with one exception. The Chargers are in desperate need of a quality tight end.
No disrespect to Will Dissly, but the team needs a player who can stretch the field and help take advantage of the terrific throwing arm possessed by Justin Herbert. The Chargers made a run at tight end Evan Engram but he chose to sign with the Denver Broncos instead.
With the free-agent market offering the same kind of scraps the team already has, it needs to make a big move in the draft. That leads to a very obvious place.
Which player has been mocked to the Chargers the most this offseason? If you said Michigan tight end Colston Loveland, you would be right.
Loveland is an obvious pick because he played with Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, but he’s also exactly the kind of tight end the Chargers need. Loveland is athletic and quite fast for his size (6-foot-5, 245). He possesses terrific hands and catches just about everything thrown his way. In addition, he runs great routes for a tight end and has the talent to make any Chargers fans who may be salty over Engram’s decision to forget all about that.
The Chargers hold the No. 22 overall pick in the first round and should have a good chance to grab Loveland there with that pick. With that said, the team needs to monitor things closely and be willing to trade up in the first round to make sure they get him.
If the Chargers draft anyone besides Loveland in the first round of this year’s draft, it should be seen as a defeat.
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