Gavino Borquez
February 16, 2023 4:32 pm PT

The 2023 NFL draft is still a couple of months away, but we will supply
you with in-depth coverage between now and then to inform you who the
Chargers could be targeting with they’re on the clock.

With that being said, this will be the fourth installment of the
three-round mock draft Thursday, where I will lay out different
scenarios every week on how the first three rounds could play out for
Los Angeles.

Round 1, No. 21, EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia

On paper, the Chargers have one of the better edge defender tandems in
the league in Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. But when Bosa missed most of
the season with a groin injury, the pass rush production took a dip.
Mack will be 32 next season. So they must get a proven player at the
position early on.

A torn pectoral muscle suffered in October ended his season, but Smith
posted 11.5 sacks in his career while, like most Georgia defenders,
working in a heavy rotation.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Smith is on the smaller side, but
his play overshadows the measurables. He is an explosive athlete with
top-tier strength and speed for his size and is solid at getting after
the quarterback just as much as he is at defending the run.

Overall, Smith has the tools to become an elite defender in the NFL over
time.

Round 2, No. 54, WR Tyler Scott, Cincinnati

The Chargers have the need for speed, and they get that with Scott, who
has been one of the top risers as of late.

Scott is a twitchy, explosive receiver who can stop on a dime and
stretches the field with burning deep speed, and has the ability to make
defenders miss in the open field and break pursuit angles.

Scott scored all 14 of his career touchdowns from at least 20 yards out
and was the Bearcats’ top receiver in 2022. He posted 54 catches for 899
yards and nine scores.

Round 3, No. 85, TE Josh Whyle, Cincinnati

With Gerald Everett only having one more year on his contract, Donald
Parham’s injury concerns looming, and Tre’ McKitty’s play being
underwhelming, the tight end position needs to be addressed.

Whyle is a reliable pass-catcher with good hands and body control,
evident from only six drops in five years of college. He shows good
movement skills and straight-line acceleration. He displays the ability
to highpoint the ball well in contested situations. Additionally, Whyle
has great strength and toughness to move bodies in the run game.

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Whyle had a great collegiate career, leaving as
the program’s leader in touchdowns with 15 for tight ends. He had 88
catches for 1,062 yards during his career.