Across their nine selections in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers set out to improve their team, which was coming off of an impressive seven-win season. Riding on the back of now-sophomore quarterback Justin Herbert, this team looks to cement themselves as a long-term postseason contender in the AFC, even if their draft class did include some mistakes.

Herbert was thrown into the fray early on in the year for LAC, as he stepped in for Tyrod Taylor in Week 2 of the 2020 season after a doctor mistakenly punctured one of Taylor’s lungs while trying to administer a pain-killer for a rib injury. Ever since that moment, Herbert has not looked back, setting the league on fire and proving that he could end up being the best QB to come out of the ‘20 draft.

But this year’s draft produced both good and bad results for the Chargers. Even though it may be too early since none of these rookies have taken a regular-season snap, there are two takeaways that stand out the most when looking at this year’s draft class for Los Angeles.

Not adding multiple proven secondary options

Derwin James, Chargers
Dynamic safety Derwin James has dealt with the injury bug for the majority of his career, and he missed the entire ‘20 season after suffering a knee injury in practice. Even though cleared to return to football activities this year, adding more help in the defensive secondary should have been a top priority for the team.

Taking Florida State cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. in the second round was a great move, as he projects to fill a huge role in the secondary as a rookie and beyond – but outside of Samuel, there are still plenty of holes that this team’s secondary need to address.

Casey Hayward was let go this offseason for cap purposes, freeing up a slot corner spot. Former Broncos DB Chris Harris Jr. was brought in to help on the boundary (teaming up with Michael Davis), but playing in a division that has Patrick Mahomes ballin’ out to Tyreek Hill deep means that all teams need to have multiple solid CBs.

This area could be seen more as a nitpicky option for a shortcoming in their draft, but the Chargers have long needed to solidify their secondary. By selecting James back in 2018, the Chargers felt that they had their long-term solution at safety – but his health has interfered with that being a reality, putting even more of an emphasis on it.

Georgia DB Mark Webb was selected with the draft’s 241st selection, setting up to be more of a CB4/5 or special teams piece, so even with two DBs being selected, it still leaves this team with a need.

Not finding their future WR1

Keenan Allen is 29 years old, which is still on the right side of 30 for a receiver – but his wear and tear as being this team’s WR1 for so long could start to show at any point, making it very important to find his eventual replacement.

Mike Williams is heading into a contract year, as his fifth-year option was picked up for ‘21, and so far his play has not shown that he is deserving of a second deal with the Chargers, hence the need to find another solid option.

Selecting Tennessee’s Josh Palmer in the third round provides the team with yet another tall (he’s 6’1”) option, but his lack of production in college is worrisome. Palmer can develop alongside both Allen and Williams to start off his career, and he may be able to turn into that high-upside option that was never seen but frequently talked about at the collegiate level.

Herbert has a solid offensive line in front of him to help keep him upright and a solid RB1 in Austin Ekeler alongside him – and for now, his receiving core ranks in the top 12 in the league. But both age and production are important factors when considering the longevity of this current group, something that the Chargers will need to be proactive about moving forward.

The Chargers have an overall solid draft, albeit these two shortcomings – if they want to ascend to contender status in the challenging AFC, then they will need to address these two areas to help keep this team at full steam ahead.