So much attention is naturally paid to first round prospects this time of year. As a result, many top pundits have offered who they believe the Los Angeles Chargers should target with the seventh overall pick.
However, the Bolts have six other selections in the draft.
As last year proved, every pick matters as the team added Hunter Henry, Jatavis Brown, Derek Watt, Drew Kaser and other impact rookies that earned them a consensus "A" grade from experts.
We asked noted ESPN analyst Matt Bowen for some mid to late round gems he felt would suit the Chargers under Head Coach Anthony Lynn and the new coaching staff.
"At free safety, I think Malik Hooker is an ideal fit for that team, but what about Desmond King out of Iowa? He is probably a second round pick because he's not going to run a 4.4. He'll probably run in the 4.5's, but if you look at his on the ball production out of Iowa, his leadership, toughness and tackling, he's a good fit. You want a defensive back that is physical and has some versatility. I think Desmond can play corner. I think some teams look at him at safety, he can play in the slot, he has some kick return ability and can cover kicks for you. A guy like that is someone you are watching and say, 'Yeah, he is not a first round pick, but he is someone that fits in our system and we can work with.'
Running back is another spot. I thought it was going to be (Alvin) Kamara from Tennessee, but with what he is doing out there today and after testing he is probably going to shoot up the board. I'm not going to mention his name just because he is west-coast based, but you look at what Christian McCaffrey can do out of the backfield. With what he ran today and showed in the vertical jump, his explosive power; I know he had a heavy workload in college and is only 202 pounds so he is not going to be that number one (bell cow). But if you are looking for a complementary role guy, someone that can come in on third-down, come in your nickel packages with three wide receivers; he's it. Can you imagine Philip Rivers throwing to him out of the backfield? That is how you beat linebackers. That is how you beat safeties. That is how on 3rd-and-2 through 3rd-and-6 you say, 'Look, we are going to go to him, and throw the football and keep driving.'
And you look at the defensive front for Gus Bradley. I have been watching a lot of Alabama film. After watching them you are going to talk about OJ Howard, Rueben Foster, a couple linebackers and you see Tim Williams. Tim Williams I think it is time for him to (get more attention). He reminds me of Leonard Floyd from Georgia. Long, lean, explosive, super athletic, a little raw still but you are going to get value with him. Ryan Anderson is another interesting player from Alabama because he has some size to him. He has some thickness to his frame. Very strong at the point of attack, very disciplined, very hard working. (He) might not have the upper-tier athleticism, but again you are going to drop to the middle rounds, that is where you get that player. But I think a guy that can fit into that system, and when you are talking about playing with Gus with a 4-3 front, maybe he is your 4-3 SAM. He's a guy that can play over the tight end and you say, 'Look, when that tackle blocks down, you have to take the guard.' He'll say OK coach and do it. Those guys, again, they are not going to have a ton of production in the NFL compared to college, but if you don't have those core players you won't win in the NFL."
