2015 NFL Draft: San Diego Chargers Seven-Round Mock With Philip Rivers Trade

2015 NFL Draft: San Diego Chargers Seven-Round Mock With Philip Rivers Trade

By Anthony Blake

April 2, 2015

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2015 NFL Draft: Chargers 7-Round Mock With Rivers Trade

Philip Rivers Trade, San Diego Chargers, 2015 NFL Draft, 2015 NFL Mock Draft — While it’s clear that trading away a franchise quarterback can weaken a team at present, there’s also no denying that said trade could further strengthen the roster for the future. That’s the bird in the hand or two in the bush scenario that the San Diego Chargers must weigh with Philip Rivers this offseason. But if a deal with the Tennessee Titans were to take place and include the No. 2 overall pick, here’s how their 2015 NFL Draft would look.

While it’s clear that trading away a franchise quarterback can weaken a team at present, there’s also no denying that said trade could further strengthen the roster for the future. That’s the bird in the hand or two in the bush scenario that the San Diego Chargers must weigh with Philip Rivers this offseason. But if a deal with the Tennessee Titans were to take place and include the No. 2 overall pick, here’s how their 2015 NFL Draft would look.

Round 1, No. 2 Overall (From Titans) -- Leonard Williams, DT, USC

Philip Rivers Trade, San Diego Chargers, 2015 NFL Draft, 2015 NFL Mock Draft

Round 1, No. 2 Overall (From Titans) -- Leonard Williams, DT, USC

Philip Rivers Trade, San Diego Chargers, 2015 NFL Draft, 2015 NFL Mock Draft — Wait, trade Rivers to the Titans and not draft a QB like Marcus Mariota with the pick in return? It’s seems strange, sure, but the Chargers would benefit more from a sure thing on defense than a project under center at No. 2 overall. Leonard Williams is the consensus top prospect in this year’s class with versatility galore. In John Pagano’s multiple looks on defense, Williams could thrive by moving inside and out depending on down and distance.

Wait, trade Rivers to the Titans and not draft a QB like Marcus Mariota with the pick in return? It’s seems strange, sure, but the Chargers would benefit more from a sure thing on defense than a project under center at No. 2 overall. Leonard Williams is the consensus top prospect in this year’s class with versatility galore. In John Pagano’s multiple looks on defense, Williams could thrive by moving inside and out depending on down and distance.

Round 1, No. 17 Overall -- Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska

Philip Rivers Trade, San Diego Chargers, 2015 NFL Draft, 2015 NFL Mock Draft

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Round 1, No. 17 Overall -- Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska

Philip Rivers Trade, San Diego Chargers, 2015 NFL Draft, 2015 NFL Mock Draft — This selection will be a textbook case of need meeting value. Randy Gregory testing positive for marijuana at the NFL Combine will be the perfect excuse for GMs in the top 10 to pass on this stud outside linebacker. His length and athleticism is an ideal fit on the outside in a 3-4 scheme, and this type of addition would surely help mask any potential lingering deficiencies in coverage the Bolts may have.

This selection will be a textbook case of need meeting value. Randy Gregory testing positive for marijuana at the NFL Combine will be the perfect excuse for GMs in the top 10 to pass on this stud outside linebacker. His length and athleticism is an ideal fit on the outside in a 3-4 scheme, and this type of addition would surely help mask any potential lingering deficiencies in coverage the Bolts may have.

Round 2, No. 48 Overall -- Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

Philip Rivers Trade, San Diego Chargers, 2015 NFL Draft, 2015 NFL Mock Draft

Round 2, No. 48 Overall -- Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

Philip Rivers Trade, San Diego Chargers, 2015 NFL Draft, 2015 NFL Mock Draft — Losing Eddie Royal in free agency and missing out on the Andre Johnson sweepstakes surely hurt, but landing Sammie Coates would help ease the pain. Coates is a vertical threat with a supremely athletic build to outleap and outmuscle defenders for jump balls. He would also help make any quarterback under center look much better as the team searches for a long-term answer following the trade of Rivers.

Losing Eddie Royal in free agency and missing out on the Andre Johnson sweepstakes surely hurt, but landing Sammie Coates would help ease the pain. Coates is a vertical threat with a supremely athletic build to outleap and outmuscle defenders for jump balls. He would also help make any quarterback under center look much better as the team searches for a long-term answer following the trade of Rivers.

Round 3, No. 83 Overall -- David Johnson, RB, Northern Iowa

Philip Rivers Trade, San Diego Chargers, 2015 NFL Draft, 2015 NFL Mock Draft

Round 3, No. 83 Overall -- David Johnson, RB, Northern Iowa

Philip Rivers Trade, San Diego Chargers, 2015 NFL Draft, 2015 NFL Mock Draft — The potential hidden gem of this year’s stacked running back class is small-school prospect David Johnson. At 6-foot-1, 224 pounds with 4.50 speed, great hands and the proven ability to finish runs strong, Johnson would be a terrific replacement for the soft running of Ryan Mathews. His solid build also bodes well for him holding up to the NFL level of punishment. Added to Donald Brown, Johnson would turn the San Diego backfield into a strength.

The potential hidden gem of this year’s stacked running back class is small-school prospect David Johnson. At 6-foot-1, 224 pounds with 4.50 speed, great hands and the proven ability to finish runs strong, Johnson would be a terrific replacement for the soft running of Ryan Mathews. His solid build also bodes well for him holding up to the NFL level of punishment. Added to Donald Brown, Johnson would turn the San Diego backfield into a strength.

Round 4, No. 117 Overall -- Sean Mannion, QB, Oregon State

Philip Rivers Trade, San Diego Chargers, 2015 NFL Draft, 2015 NFL Mock Draft

Round 4, No. 117 Overall -- Sean Mannion, QB, Oregon State

Philip Rivers Trade, San Diego Chargers, 2015 NFL Draft, 2015 NFL Mock Draft — This is where the signing of Kellen Clemens last offseason pays dividends. He proved more than adequate with the St. Louis Rams in 2013 as the starter, and the Chargers could groom the 6-foot-6, 230-pound Sean Mannion while Clemens holds down the fort. Mannion comes from a pro-style offense, so the learning curve shouldn’t be too steep, and this would let the Bolts stay relatively unharmed under center for a year while he learns their system.

This is where the signing of Kellen Clemens last offseason pays dividends. He proved more than adequate with the St. Louis Rams in 2013 as the starter, and the Chargers could groom the 6-foot-6, 230-pound Sean Mannion while Clemens holds down the fort. Mannion comes from a pro-style offense, so the learning curve shouldn’t be too steep, and this would let the Bolts stay relatively unharmed under center for a year while he learns their system.

Round 5, No. 153 Overall -- Xavier Williams, DT, Northern Iowa

Philip Rivers Trade, San Diego Chargers, 2015 NFL Draft, 2015 NFL Mock Draft

Round 5, No. 153 Overall -- Xavier Williams, DT, Northern Iowa

Philip Rivers Trade, San Diego Chargers, 2015 NFL Draft, 2015 NFL Mock Draft — There’s a lot to like about small-school prospect Xavier Williams from Northern Iowa. At 6-foot-2, 325 pounds, he has the frame to be a solid nose tackle in a 3-4 alignment with enough quickness to excel in a 4-3 as well. This type of versatility will certainly appeal to John Pagano and his complex schemes which include any number of different configurations up front. As a key rotational piece, Williams has the requisite tools to excel.

There’s a lot to like about small-school prospect Xavier Williams from Northern Iowa. At 6-foot-2, 325 pounds, he has the frame to be a solid nose tackle in a 3-4 alignment with enough quickness to excel in a 4-3 as well. This type of versatility will certainly appeal to John Pagano and his complex schemes which include any number of different configurations up front. As a key rotational piece, Williams has the requisite tools to excel.

Round 6, No. 191 Overall -- Robert Myers, OG, Tennessee State

Philip Rivers Trade, San Diego Chargers, 2015 NFL Draft, 2015 NFL Mock Draft

Round 6, No. 191 Overall -- Robert Myers, OG, Tennessee State

Philip Rivers Trade, San Diego Chargers, 2015 NFL Draft, 2015 NFL Mock Draft — Signing Orlando Franklin in free agency allows D.J. Fluker to kick inside to guard and strengthens the Chargers’ offensive line as a whole, but adding a sleeper like Robert Myers would add greater potential to this unit. The best way to help a quarterback is to make him feel comfortable, and Myers has the potential to be a Pro Bowl player in the future. Transitioning the 6-foot-5, 326-pounder to the NFL will be the only hurdle to his development.

Signing Orlando Franklin in free agency allows D.J. Fluker to kick inside to guard and strengthens the Chargers’ offensive line as a whole, but adding a sleeper like Robert Myers would add greater potential to this unit. The best way to help a quarterback is to make him feel comfortable, and Myers has the potential to be a Pro Bowl player in the future. Transitioning the 6-foot-5, 326-pounder to the NFL will be the only hurdle to his development.

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