The L.A. Chargers have a shot at solidifying their talent-laden roster during Thursday’s opening round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Chargers have the 17th pick, meaning coach Brandon Staley and company should have ample opportunity to pick a significant talent.
Los Angeles parted with a second-round selection in this year’s draft to trade for LB Khalil Mack, but found a way to keep their top pick.
That means the Chargers, who are listed at +1600 to win Super Bowl LVII on BetMGM, should have a shot at tabbing a player who can bolster their chances in 2022 and beyond come Thursday night.
But Chargers fans will need to drive to the Super Bowl’s host state, Arizona, or Nevada to place that wager. There is no legal California sports betting. Sports betting goes before voters in November.
The defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams don’t have a pick until the third round. San Francisco doesn’t pick until late in the second round.
Los Angeles Chargers First Round Pick Odds (No. 17)
| 🏈 Jordan Davis, DT | Georgia | +300 |
| 🏈 Trevor Penning, T | Northern Iowa | +350 |
| 🏈 Kenyon Green, G | Texas A&M | +400 |
| 🏈 Jameson Williams, WR | Alabama | +650 |
| 🏈 Chris Olave, WR | Ohio State | +750 |
| 🏈 Zion Johnson, G | Boston College | +750 |
| 🏈 The Field | N/A | +525 |
Odds are projected by Bookies.com and do not reflect any odds that may be available at legal betting sites.
Who the Chargers Might Target in NFL Draft?
The Chargers could fill a number of positional needs with their 17th pick in Thursday’s draft, according to Bookies.com NFL oddsmaker Adam Thompson.
Staley’s team has the best odds of landing former Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle Jordan Davis (+300), according to Thompson, with Northern Iowa tackle Trevor Penning (+350), Texas A&M guard Kenyon Green (+400), and Alabama WR Jameson Williams (+650) next on the list.
Marcus Mosher, who covers the NFL for Bookies.com, said the Chargers’ most logical selection during the first round would be Davis, who would provide an immediate salve for the team’s mediocre rush defense.
“The most obvious first-round pick in most mock drafts right now is Jordan Davis (Georgia) to the Chargers,” Mosher said. “No team had a worse run defense than the Chargers last season and their inability to stop Josh Jacobs on a third-down run in Week 18 led them to miss the playoffs. Davis would make so much sense in the middle of their defense as an elite run-stopper who can occupy two blockers.”
Also included on Thompson’s board are Ohio State WR Chris Olave (+750), and Boston College guard Zion Johnson (+750).
Regardless of who the Chargers take Thursday night, Mosher said he’s confident the team will add a player talented enough to guide the franchise back to the NFL playoffs for the first time in five years come 2023.
“The Chargers are sitting in a great spot going into the 2022 NFL Draft, no matter which direction they go,” Mosher said. “They should be able to grab a high-quality player at No. 17.”
Complete List of Chargers 2022 Draft Picks
- Round 1 (Pick 17)
- Round 3 (Pick 79)
- Round 4 (Pick 123)
- Round 5 (Pick 160)
- Round 6 (Pick 195)
- Round 6 (Pick 214)
- Round 7 (Pick 236)
- Round 7 (Pick 254)
- Round 7 (Pick 255)
- Round 7 (Pick 260)
