NFL draft Day 3: Chargers take speedy TCU receiver in Round 4

1

The Chargers picked a big receiver in the first round of the NFL draft and on Day 2 addressed the defensive front with the addition of an edge rusher and linebacker. They started Day 3 of the draft by taking a speedy wideout out of Texas Christian in Round 4.

In Round 5, they addressed the offensive line by taking a versatile player from Clemson. In Round 6, the Chargers continued to think defense by taking a defensive lineman from Boise State. With their final pick in Round 7, they chose Texas Christian quarterback Max Duggan, who finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting.

2

Derius Davis — wide receiver

Wide receiver Derius Davis (11) catches a pass during Pro Day at Texas Christian.

5 feet 8, 165 pounds, Texas Christian, Round 4, Pick 125

Notable: While in high school in Louisiana, Davis ran a 48.44-second 400 meters, which was the fourth-best time in the nation that year. He also was the Louisiana state champion in the 200 meters.

Last season: Davis was named the Big 12 special teams player of the year, tying for the FBS lead with two punt return touchdowns and ranking second with 840 return yards combined on kickoff and punts.

Why the Chargers drafted him: After losing DeAndre Carter in free agency to Las Vegas, the Chargers were without a kick returner. Davis fills that need immediately. He also gives the offense a second speedy option at wideout, along with Jalen Guyton. Davis ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the combine.

3

Jordan McFadden — offensive lineman

Clemson's Jordan McFadden blocks against Syracuse.

6 feet 2, 303 pounds, Clemson, Round 5, Pick 156

Notable: While starting all 14 games last year for Clemson, his 989 offensive snaps tied for the fourth most by an offensive tackle in one season in program history.

Last season: Right tackle as a sophomore, McFadden moved to left tackle for his final two years and was awarded the 2022 Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the ACC’s top blocker.

Why the Chargers drafted him: McFadden brings depth along the offensive front for a franchise that has weathered plenty of injuries in that area in recent years. Jamaree Salyer, a sixth-round pick in 2022, ended up starting 14 games as a rookie after left tackle Rashawn Slater went down with a biceps injury. McFadden projects to be an NFL guard.

4

Scott Matlock — defensive lineman

Boise State defensive tackle Scott Matlock celebrates a play.

6 feet 4, 308 pounds, Boise State, Round 6, Pick 200

Notable: Matlock’s father, Doug, and mother Lisa died before Matlock reached high school. He lived in foster care and eventually moved to Homedale, Idaho, where he won all-state honors as an offensive lineman.

Last season: He was a second-team all-Mountain West pick in 2022, finishing with 49 tackles, including six for lost yardage, and 2.5 sacks.

Why the Chargers drafted him: They needed depth along their defensive front after parting ways this offseason with Breiden Fehoko, Joe Gaziano and Christian Covington, who remains a free agent. During his final season at Boise State, Matlock was a team captain, a designation the Chargers covet when pondering prospects.

5

Max Duggan — quarterback

Texas Christian quarterback Max Duggan (15) warms up before a game.

6 feet 1½, 207 pounds, Texas Christian, Round 7, Pick 239

Notable: Duggan finished second in the 2022 Heisman Trophy voting to USC’s Caleb Williams. That put him ahead of Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, the top two picks in the draft.

Last season: He threw for 3,698 yards and 32 touchdowns in leading the Horned Frogs to the national championship game at SoFi Stadium, where they lost to Georgia.

Why the Chargers drafted him: After not re-signing veteran Chase Daniel, the Chargers had only Easton Stick on their roster behind franchise quarterback Justin Herbert. Duggan now joins the pair as a prospect the Chargers will try to develop into a possible No. 2.