Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft: The perfect draft if everything went right

Darius Leonard, LB, South Carolina State

The third-round is when the Chargers should first address the linebacker core and look for an explosive playmaker that can help in stopping the run. At this point in the draft, the best option available for the Chargers will likley be Darius Leonard. Although Leonard may seem more like an outside linebacker, his athleticism and explosiveness would fit in perfectly with the Chargers.

Los Angeles would have to play Leonard at the WILL to best utilize his athleticism and pursuit of the football. While he is not a run-stopping specialist, he does have the size and speed to make up distance and cover running lanes that open late in the play.

With Da’Ron Payne in the middle, Leonard would also be a great linebacker to attack outside runs that break through the line. Leonard would be able to make the best of his size and strength to turn a 10-yard run into a two-yard run. Over time, this would begin to add up.

Leonard won’t fill up the stat sheets as a rookie and may seem to be a non-factor from a pure statistical basis. However, his ability to make big plays as well as the focus that would have to be put on him will have a tremendous impact on the Chargers’ defense.

We are not stopping there with linebacker help, though.