Expert Believes Chargers' Draft Mentality Was Geared to Take Down Kansas City

Are the Chargers going all in to beat their division rivals?

The Los Angeles Chargers did an incredible job retooling their squad, primarily through the draft. They assessed many of their needs with great prospects while getting younger in the process. 

Most of LA's seven draft picks will immediately impact the team and will be used big-time to finally win the AFC West. It'll be a challenge to win the AFC West as it has been for the past 10 seasons; however, the Chargers have built their roster to slay the dragon in their division. At least according to NFL expert Charles Goldman, who said LA's draft approach was to take down the Kansas City Chiefs. 

It feels like the Chargers are banking on being able to out-gun the Chiefs this year. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Quentin Johnston could make a hell of a top-3 receiver group. Derius Davis could sneakily be a great addition for them if they can steal some points on special teams with his punt return ability. It sure feels like they’re putting a lot of stock into TCU players with this draft class, though. I like the trio of Tuipulotu, Henley and Matlock when it comes to boosting the depth of the L.A. defense.

The touchdown wire graded the Bolts a B- for their 2023 NFL Draft picks. 

If there's one thing that is certain, the Bolts have not and will not build their team to solely beat one team, even though it is the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes. The Cheifs have had a stranglehold on the division for the past eight seasons, and there have been no signs of that slowing down anytime soon. 

Kansas City is coming off a Super Bowl championship, and they have everything the Chargers are striving for. Yes, the Chargers are trying to overtake the division, but that isn't their only purpose, and it can't be. Many other great teams are in their conference, and they might need to go through them come January. 

Chargers GM Tom Telesco has expressed that his focus is to get better on all facets of their team, no matter what, not to compete with teams in their division. The Chiefs are the team to beat; however, it is not the end all be all for the Bolts.