Chargers Projected for Solid Pick in Mel Kiper's First 2022 NFL Mock Draft

The Los Angeles Chargers looked like a playoff team for the majority of the 2021 NFL season. However, three losses in their final four games — including a Week 18 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders — promptly squashed those postseason aspirations.

It's back to the drawing board this offseason with the Chargers and the first stop is the 2022 NFL Draft. They currently hold pick No. 17, which ESPN's Mel Kiper expects them to use to improve the defense in his first mock draft of the year.

Chargers Mock Draft

Kiper has the Chargers selecting Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle Jordan Davis with the 17th overall pick at the 2022 NFL Draft.

One of the Chargers' downfalls this season is that they couldn't stop the run. They surrendered the third-most rushing yards per game and fifth-most yards per rush attempt this season, which needs to be fixed if they want to take that step to the next level.

Drafting Davis would go a long way in helping address those needs. The 6-foot-6, 340-pound standout had a tremendous 2021 campaign that saw him win the Chuck Bednarik Award as college football's best defensive player en route to Georgia winning the CFB National Championship.

Davis only had eight quarterback pressures this season, so some view him as being one-dimensional. Fortunately, the Chargers would only need him to stop the run and he does that better than most.

If the Charlotte, NC native is available at No. 17, there's no doubt that the Chargers should take a swing at him.

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Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. The views expressed in his articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.