We’re only through six picks in this year’s version of the SB Nation NFL writers mock draft and we’ve already had a couple surprise picks. Rest assured, there will be plenty more as bloggers from each team site make the pick for their team.
2017 NFL mock draft: Los Angeles Chargers surprise with Malik McDowell
It’s a good fit but perhaps not a good value.
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
We start our third day of selections with another interesting choice. This one comes via Richard Wade of Bolts From the Blue, who is making the No. 7 pick for the Los Angeles Chargers.
7. Chargers: Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State
Wyatt: At 6’6, 276 pounds, the Michigan State defensive lineman is an enormous athlete. He is capable of holding up against the run unlike few other players at this level. He is also strong when rushing the passer. You simply cannot expect to block him one-on-one and have success with any consistency. He would be a perfect three-technique in Gus Bradley’s defense, which the Chargers will be installing this season.
Now, some will look at the Chargers roster and convince themselves that they do not need a defensive lineman with the seventh overall pick. But the Chargers cannot afford to look purely at positional need for 2017. The team lacks talent overall and picking in the top 10 gives them an opportunity to add a high-impact player. That’s where you have to look at McDowell. McDowell has arguably the highest ceiling of any player in the draft.
Analysis: From a scheme standpoint, McDowell fits with the Chargers. Playing in a traditional 4-3 defense, he might not be big enough to play inside and may not have the agility and bend to play outside every down. Working in Bradley’s system, it doesn’t matter as much. The question here isn’t about fit or even upside (of which McDowell has loads). The pick is an issue of value. The expectation is that McDowell will go further in the first round because, frankly, he just didn’t produce enough consistently at Michigan State, and it wasn’t always because of double teams. If this pick were happening in the mid 20s or later, it would be hard to criticize. But at No. 7 overall, it’s easy to scrutinize.
Dan’s top five players remaining
- 2. Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
- 7. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
- 8. Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
- 9. Reuben Foster, MLB, Alabama
- 10. Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Chargers picks
- 1-7: Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State
- 2-38: (coming April 12)
Coming up at noon ET is Jaxon of Cat Scratch Reader making the eighth overall pick for the Carolina Panthers.
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