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The Los Angeles Chargers hold the seventh pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Acting manager for the Chargers in the Pride Of Detroit Community Mock Draft is ShamuS2D2. With the seventh pick, Shamu has chosen defensive lineman Jonathan Allen from Alabama. Below is his rationale for the pick.
“The Chargers biggest need is to fill the hole safety Eric Weddle left in 2015. In this mock with the top two safety talents being off the board, I decided not to not reach in a deep class at the position. Guard and wide receiver are needs as well, but health "scares" dropped an immediate impact player to the seventh pick, and that just couldn't be passed up. Arthritis be damned, Jonathan Allen is a day one starter on the defensive interior who will also see snaps at end.
Chargers GM Tom Telesco has made it clear this season that he wants to improve the pass rush, especially late in games. Using the franchise tag on Melvin Ingram was a step in the right direction, but Allen provides a long-term fix to bolster the pass rush alongside star Joey Bosa. Allen's versatility to produce anywhere along the line is perfect for a defense in transition to 4-3. New defensive coordinator Gus Bradley has said he will maintain elements of a 3-4 and Allen played at a high level in both schemes in Alabama.