Chargers 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Chargers pick up first-round QB

Stanford gets its second showing in this 2018 NFL mock draft as the Los Angeles Chargers selected safety Justin Reid in the fourth round. Reid joins fellow defensive player Harrison Phillips on the Chargers and provides much-needed depth at the safety position in 2018. The Chargers are not as bad at safety as they have been in the past, but the need for depth is there.

Jahleel Addae and Tre Boston did a great job in making the Chargers’ safety positions respectable again in 2017. Boston certainly was the better of the two safeties, but Addae still did his part in Chargers’ great pass defense. The one thing that Addae did not do well was intercept the football; the hard-hitting safety did not intercept one pass in 2017.

And that is completely fine, that is not his purpose on this defense. Boston, on the other hand, made up for the deficiency by intercepting five passes of his own. However, Boston is set to be a free agent this year and after a career-year could get a big payday elsewhere.

That is where Reid comes in. Reid is the same intercepting prototype that Boston brought to the Chargers defense last season. If Boston indeed does walk, Reid gives the Chargers the most similar outlook at the position.

Even if Boston stays, drafting Reid gives the Chargers a new look in passing downs. On passing situations, head coach Anthony Lynn can throw Reid out there as another ball-hawking threat. Regardless, the Chargers are going to need to look for a safety in the draft. That safety is Justin Reid.