Los Angeles Chargers 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Taven Bryan

Taven Bryan of Florida is one of the best defensive tackles in the 2018 NFL Draft. Bryan would be great for the Los Angeles Chargers out of the first round.

Defensive tackle is one of the few areas of need for the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2018 NFL Draft. Realistically, the Chargers can go into the 2018 season with the same exact team they currently have and be playoff worthy. However, LA must utilize the draft to strengthen an already solid core.

To do that, the Los Angeles Chargers should be looking at Florida defensive tackle Taven Bryan. The Chargers could use another hard-nosed defensive tackle in their efforts to stop the run. Plus, alongside Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram and Corey Liuget, Bryan could cement the Chargers’ defensive line as the best in football.

Last season, Bryan recorded four sacks, six total tackles for loss and 37 total tackles in 10 games for Flordia. Bryan has the athleticism to play at any defensive line position, however, his work at tackle would be best suited for the Chargers.

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Bryan has the speed and physical prowess to be very successful at the NFL level. However, his biggest drawback heading into the draft is the knack for the “little things”. With proper coaching, this could change, but it may take some time for Bryan to develop fully into the talent he is capable of.

However, there is no better place for Bryan to develop than the Los Angeles Chargers. Playing alongside the stellar defense line Bryan will have less emphasis put on him. Thus, he can get better one-on-one matchups and play to his full potential. It may still take time for him to get there, but on the Chargers, he gets there much quicker.

Plus, Bryan would be great for the Chargers in stopping the running attack. Although the Chargers pass-rush was arguably the best in the league, the team struggled to stop the run. They improved down the stretch, but improvements at both nose tackle and inside linebacker will help those efforts.

That improvement should start with Bryan; unless the Chargers have something crazy up their sleeve, such as signing Aaron Donald (which obviously won’t happen).

Walter Football has Bryan as the third-best defensive tackle in the 2018 NFL Draft while the staff of The Monday Morning Quarterback of Sports Illustrated has him as the 26th-best overall prospect in their latest big board.

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With those rankings, the Chargers are not only looking at a very solid potential addition to the team, they are also looking at a very reasonable selection with the 17th overall pick.