Chargers 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Chargers pick up first-round QB
By Jason Reed
Yes, in our 2018 NFL mock draft we selected a kicker in the sixth round. Although that may seem a bit absurd, considering the Chargers’ kicker luck last season this is necessary. Younghoe Koo, Nick Novak, Travis Coons, Nick Rose and even punter Drew Kaser saw kicking duties last season. None of which were particularly good.
The Chargers are already busy in filling this void by signing former second round pick Robert Aguayo. However, Aguayo has not been the most reliable kicker in his short NFL career, either.
Thus, the Chargers can select the most accurate kicker in Florida history, Eddy Pineiro, in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. In 2016 they selected Kaser in the sixth round, so they are no strangers to making these kinds of picks. If they are going to pick a kicker in the draft, it must be Pineiro.
Finally, the Chargers can look to completely sum up their offensive line with offensive tackle Bentley Spain out of the University of North Carolina. Spain definitely has NFL-like size, standing six-foot-six and weighing near 300 pounds.
Spain will be a bit green in his early NFL career but will give the Chargers depth and competition to push Joe Barksdale towards better results. If Spain has a solid preseason performance next year, the Chargers may even promote him to starting right tackle.
Next: Rams' complete mock draft
The current state of the Chargers seventh round pick is unclear. They conditionally own the Bears pick, dating back to the Dontrelle Inman trade. However, the Bills conditionally own the Chargers pick, dating back to the Cardale Jones trade. At the end of the day, though, they should look to select Spain in the seventh round.