Bleacher Nation NFL 2023 Mock Draft: Chargers Get Justin Herbert a Weapon

The Bleacher Nation NFL 2023 Mock Draft will be a running mock draft that spans between now and round one of the NFL Draft. Each of the 31 picks (Miami forfeited their first-round pick due to tampering) will get a dedicated post. Here’s how it’ll work:

• Every pick in the Mock Draft gets its own post. We will do one or two picks per day.
• We will link back to previous posts with a running draft recap.
• This feature will not include trades and will cover the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Chargers are on the clock in the Bleacher Nation NFL Mock Draft …

The Pick Is In

WR Jordan Addison — USC

The Fit

Justin Herbert is a star quarterback on the verge of a mega-extension. Los Angeles would be wise to maximize his talent with playmakers around him. USC wide receiver Jordan Addison fits the bill. A savvy route-running receiver who could be an immediate playmaker and Rookie of the Year candidate with Hebert throwing him the ball and new OC Kellen Moore calling the plays.

Scouting Report

Jordan Addison started his collegiate career as Kenny Pickett’s favorite target at Pitt. During his sophomore season with Pickett, Addison had 100 catches for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns as a sophomore to win the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver. 

After Pickett departed for the NFL, Addison transferred to USC. He finished his 2022 season with 59 catches for 875 yards and eight touchdowns in 11 games. He showed off his explosive play-making potential against UCLA with an 11-catch, 178-yard performance and averaged nearly 15 yards per reception in 2022.

USC 2023 WR Jordan Addison (6’1/175) returned from injury in style by reeling in 11-of-13 targets for 178 yards/TD

The reigning Biletnikoff winner had a sensational game vs. UCLA and could very well end up as the first wideout selected in the 2023 NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/kK2Xq170lw

— Eric Froton (@CFFroton) November 23, 2022

Addison’s 5-foot-11, 170-pound frame is a touch on the undersized side of things in the NFL, but he makes up for it with crisp route running, great footwork, and route transitions. Those skills allow him to be a menace on outs and dig routes, which can help balance the Chargers’ offense.

Final Thoughts: Addison is a slippery and fast-twitched wide receiver that falls right behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba in this class, as far as I’m concerned. Zay Flowers and Quentin Johnson have more explosive play potential. Still, Addison fits what the Chargers need better in this spot.

Bleacher Nation’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft

1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI) — QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
2. Houston Texans — QB Bryce Young, Alabama
3. Arizona Cardinals — EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
4. Indianapolis Colts — QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) — DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
6. Detroit Lions (via LAR) — EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
7. Las Vegas Raiders — QB Will Levis, Kentucky
8. Atlanta Falcons — EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
9. Chicago Bears (via CAR) — CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) — DT Calijah Kancey, Pitt
11. Tennessee Titans — T Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
12. Houston Texans (via CLE) — WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
13. New York Jets — T Broderick Jones, Georgia
14. New England Patriots — CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
15. Green Bay Packers — TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
16. Washington Commanders — CB Deonte Banks, Maryland
17. Pittsburgh Steelers — CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
18. Detroit Lions — CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — S Brian Branch, Alabama
20. Seattle Seahawks — EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
21. Los Angeles Chargers — WR Jordan Addison, USC
22. Baltimore Ravens
23. Minnesota Vikings
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
25. New York Giants
26. Dallas Cowboys
27. Buffalo Bills
28. Cincinnati Bengals
29. New Orleans Saints (via SF)
30. Philadelphia Eagles
31. Kansas City Chiefs