Analyst thinks Chargers' draft assignment is 'clear'

Analyst thinks Chargers' draft assignment is 'clear' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

For most of the offseason, I've been pretty clear on what I think the Los Angeles Chargers had to do in free agency and the draft -- get Justin Herbert better protection.

L.A. did that to an extent in free agency, bringing in Tyler Biadasz to fortify the center position, but more is needed, and now that the draft is upon us, the needs stay the same.

The offensive line, for me, has to be the priority for the Chargers. Yes, drafting the best player available should be the approach, and L.A. should be able to take a lineman in the first round.

Which is exactly what they do in Connor Orr's latest mock draft for Sports Illustrated, with Blake Miller coming to the AFC West.

"The assignment is pretty clear: Get a guard or get someone who can slide there," Orr wrote. "Miller would give the offensive line-ravaged Chargers some extra assurances going into next season as this year’s wonky, amoebic offensive line class rolls on. While the mulleted Gennings Dunker out of Iowa seems more like a fit for Jim Harbaugh, that selection seems like it can wait for another round."

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Herbert needs protection

Herbert was sacked a whopping 54 times last season, which was the third-most in football. For a team that has playoff and Super Bowl aspirations, that won't cut it.