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Chargers News: Bolts Bolster D-Line With ACC Stud In Latest 2024 Mock Draft
Despite the new NFL season kicking off this week, it’s never too early to start looking ahead to the NFL Draft. The draft is a yearlong process, including through the regular season.
Front offices are looking for the next big thing and are watching hours of film on potential prospects. They need to figure out what weaknesses they must address and who to target once the draft comes around.
The Los Angeles Chargers have plenty of weapons on the offensive side of the ball. So when the 2024 NFL Draft comes around, they are more likely to target someone on the defensive side. They could use some help there, especially in the trenches.
One of the latest 2024 Mock Drafts by CBS Sports has the Bolts selecting a big man from the ACC. Writer Chris Trapasso links the Chargers with defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III from The University of Miami.
“Taylor has an NFL-caliber frame right now and was borderline unblockable for long stretches in 2022. He can be the long-term lynchpin to the interior of the Chargers defensive front.”
If it came true, this would be a hell of a pick for the Bolts. Of course, they would much rather be picking late in the first round, but Taylor II could provide them with some real strength up front.
Taylor III is a powerful player who uses quick hands to win his matchups. He is highly athletic and uses his quickness to disrupt plays in the backfield.
He was an All-ACC honorable mention for the 2022 season and still has room to grow. Taylor III posted 24 total tackles with 10.5 for loss. He also included three sacks on the year and led the Hurricanes in quarterback hurries as well.
The Chargers could build around this kind of player on defense. He could learn from the coaching staff and turn himself into a solid contributor in the NFL.