NFL Draft 2017: Los Angeles Chargers first round grade

The Los Angeles Chargers selected wide receiver Mike Williams from Clemson.

Injuries derailed the Chargers’ 2017 season. However, the most devastating injury of them all seemed to have happened in week one when Keenan Allen went down to injury. Philip Rivers found himself playing with role players and no names who were trying to find their way in the NFL. While the Chargers saw some emergence from their wide receiver position, they still could not go into 2017 with their depth chart the way it is.

Allen has missed 23 games in the past two seasons. Williams can not only step up for an oft-injured Allen, he is the perfect complement. Allen is a possession receiver who can win underneath and with the ball in his hands. Williams can win in the air, and even without elite long speed he can take the top off and demand safety respect.

His route work may need refinement, but with Allen, Stevie Johnson, and Tyrell Williams making impacts underneath, and Travis Benjamin winning with speed, it is a perfect fit to add a tall target who can win downfield in a different way than Benjamin. The best part is that he can start right away, and with an aging Rivers, they now have an offensive group that can win now.

With Corey Davis off of the board, there was a chance that receivers were going to start to go quicker than some may have expected. The Chargers made sure they got their guy and got themselves an instant impact player.

Next: 2017 NFL Draft instant grades

However, they do have some depth at the positions, and if they were banking on Allen being healthy they could have addressed other needs, and added a lower end, or projection receiver in case of an Allen emergency. This pick may speak louder to their lack of confidence in Allen than their confidence in Williams.

Grade: B