Bolts From The Blue
Could the Chargers inject even more talent into their offensive line with yet another first round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft?
The Los Angeles Chargers surprise many when Jim Harbaugh & company took Joe Alt in the first round of the 2024 draft over one of the super elite receivers available at their pick. The selection of Alt proved to be tremendously successful and allowed the team to establish themselves as a “ground and pound” team early on in the season. Could the team look towards a similar direction in the first round once more with the selection of Minnesota offensive lineman Aireontae Ersery?
One of if not the best offensive lineman in the entire country last season, Ersery looks the part of a mammoth guard who made his living playing tackle for Minnesota over the last three seasons. Standing at 6’6” and 330 pounds Ersery is a mauler along the offensive line with excellent athleticism and strength that has helped hold his anchor as the teams cemented starter. While Ersery does not have experience at guard, it’s not hard to imagine the transition inside being natural for the big bodied blocker who makes pancake blocks apart of his daily routine on the field.
While the bookend tackles for Los Angeles were a strong point last season, the interior of the offensive line was notably weaker. Ersery could easily plug in at either guard spot should he beat out Trey Pipkins or Zion Johnson, and the team could find themselves with yet another elite young player along an already super talented offensive line. Having an elite athletic body along your interior that can also swing in at tackle is invaluable in this league and Ersery fits the bill for what the Chargers want to do offensively up front.
