Los Angeles Chargers: Big board for the 2018 NFL Draft

7. Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State

The Los Angeles Chargers’ biggest need heading into the 2018 NFL Draft are pieces to help stop the bleeding in the run defense. Los Angeles ranked 29th in running yards allowed per game, allowing 131.1 yards per game. This need will become a trend throughout this big board.

There are two primary holes for this lack of run stuffing, one being at inside linebacker. Denzel Perryman was good when he was on the field and the Chargers were 7-2 in games he played, but that was not enough. With a great pass-rush and secondary, teams realized all they needed to do was pound the football up the middle.

Leighton Vander Esch would be a great piece to plug in the middle and help stop the run. Vander Esch’s size and athleticism also make him a threat in zones in the passing game as well; his ability to get to the passer is great as well.

While he is good at stopping the run, that is not his specialty. The Chargers would be getting another piece to help in the passing game, which really is not the team’s biggest need.

If Vander Esch is available in the second-round, which he very well might be, the Chargers should consider him. However, I have to disagree with Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today, who has the Chargers selecting Vander Esch with the 17th overall pick.