2022 Draft Predictions

1st round (17th overall)

Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Chris Olave catches a pass in 2021. (Photo Credit: Emilee Chinn / Getty Images)

I would love to have Jordan Davis from Georgia, but I believe the Eagles will get him with their 15th pick. The Chargers instead land a deep-threat receiver who ran a 4.39 40 yard dash at the combine and has a great work ethic. A native of San Ysidro, California, Olave is fast off the snap and has a crisp route running ability. On the negative side, his run after the catch and catching ability are average, and he underperforms in run blocking.

2rd round - no pick

The Chargers traded their 2nd round pick to the Chicago Bears in the 2022 draft in the Khalil Mack acquisition.

3rd round (79th overall)

Sean Rhyan, G, UCLA

Offensive tackle Sean Rhyan puts up a 4’s Up for the camera while confetti shoots onto the field following a 2021 Bruins victory. (Photo Credit: Eric Hurd/uclabruins.com)

Orange County native Sean Rhyan can play guard or tackle positions and is strong in run blocking. He has good footwork and technique. Potential issues include his penchant for false start penalties and lack of success against speed rushers. Rhyan tends to overdo his steps off the snap on a pass play, leaving him open to getting beat inside.

4th round (123rd overall)

Matt Araiza, P, SDSU

SDSU's Matt Araiza kicks a punt vs. Utah in 2021 (Photo Credit: goaztecs.com)

Araiza is punter phenom for San Diego State who had Two 80-yard punts on top of Eighteen 60-yard punts last season for the Aztecs. One way for the Chargers to keep both their offensive line and quarterback healthy is by creating shorter fields. One way to accomplish that is to pin opponents inside their own 10 yard line. Araiza can also be a place kicker if needed. If he comes to the NFL, he will need to work on creating more hangtime to prevent outkicking his coverage.

5th round (160th overall)

Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati

South Florida wide receiver Randall St. Felix, top, makes a catch and is upended by Cincinnati cornerback Coby Bryant, bottom, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

Who doesn't want someone with the name Coby Bryant in Los Angeles? The Chargers need more depth at corner and Cleveland native Bryant was the 2021 Jim Thorpe award-winner (for best defensive back in the nation). He is smart with good technique and coverage ability. Bryant is also helpful in stopping the run. His tackling needs work but that may be an easy fix for Staley and his coaching staff.

6th round (195th overall)

Jerome Ford, RB, Cincinnati

Decent speed with a 4.46 40 yard dash. He can run and catch the ball and has good size at 5'10 210 lbs. Really athletic and can beat players to the corner with different techniques and quick feet. He has had ball security issues though.

6th round (214th overall)

Zach Thomas, G, SDSU

Really good size at 6'5 308lbs and played RG, RT, and LT during his time at SDSU. Good technique and footwork especially in the run game. Can stay with a block while moving. Needs to improve hand work and hand placement.

7th round (236th overall)

Andrew Stueber, OT, Michigan

Another guard / tackle prospect with great size at 6'7 325lbs. Very powerful and strong and finishes blocks. He can get beat by speed and doesn't recover well against speed. His torn ACL injury from 2019 training camp cost him the whole season, but he has since played 2 seasons with no serious injuries.

7th round (254th overall)

Quentin Lake, S, UCLA

Smart, high IQ safety that can tackle and be depth and possibly special teams. He reads the field well and knows his job well. Not highly athletic or fast but “just makes the play.” Needs to improve footwork.

7th round (255th overall)

Tariq Carpenter, S, Georgia Tech

Safety/Linebacker hybrid-at 6'3 230lbs who is aggressive and make hard tackles. I like this pick specifically for kickoff and punt coverage. Hits any ball carrier with full force. Needs to learn how to attack a block and not fall for play actions and easily.

7th round (260th overall)

Jeffery Gunter, EDGE, Coastal Carolina

Gunter has a lot of good hand techniques to help him with battles with blockers. I like this pick for special teams as well. In two years, Gunter blocked 2 kicks, forced 9 fumbles and has good pursuit angle and acceleration. Lower body technique and footwork are areas he needs to improve.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John Kegley is a Contributing Writer at Riverslake.org and a Private First Class in the US Army. He is a longtime sports commentator known for his sharp analysis and take no prisoners style. His credits include co-hosting Locked on Chargers, San Diego Sports Domination, Chargers Domination Live and Aztec Domination Live. He has been a Chargers Fan since 2004. Connect with John on Twitter at @bigestCHARGERfn or on Facebook.

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