2019 NFL Draft: Los Angeles Chargers 7-round mock

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 13: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts as he walks off the field after the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 29: Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Julian Love (27) looks to the sidelines during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Stanford Cardinals on September 29, 2018, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Round 2: Julian Love

It’s not common for teams to draft college teammates in the opening two rounds, but that’s what we’re projecting for the Chargers. Cornerback might not be the team’s biggest need, but Love’s talent level would be too good to pass up late in the second round.

Adding Derwin James in last year’s draft gave the defense a terrific playmaker in the back end, but they still need more help to combat the aerial attacks that dominate the AFC. Having Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram gives the Chargers a great pass rush, but they need more ball hawks to take advantage of that pressure.

Love is at his best when he’s allowed to play up and combat wide receivers at the line of scrimmage. He can be burned deep down the field, but his film is excellent when he’s allowed to jump underneath routes. That’s exactly what he’d be freed up to do with the Chargers scheme.

The only downside to taking Love in this spot is that it will push the team’s chance to acquire an impact linebacker further down the draft. We won’t argue with the Chargers if they take an athletic linebacker here, but Love is a great match of value and tactics for the team at this spot.

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