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2019 NFL Draft: Full Round 1 mock with trades, April Fools’ version

By Peter Panacy

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stands at the podium during a moment of silence for the victims and those others affected by the Bombing at the Boston Marathon in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stands at the podium during a moment of silence for the victims and those others affected by the Bombing at the Boston Marathon in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 03: Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after the LSU Tigers missed a second half field goal at Tiger Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Alabama won the game 29-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 03: Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after the LSU Tigers missed a second half field goal at Tiger Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Alabama won the game 29-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

13. . Safety. Alabama. Deionte Thompson. 28. player

The Los Angeles Chargers are in a bit of a tricky situation.

Sure, they have to consider an eventual replacement for quarterback Philip Rivers, although this point in the NFL Draft is not the place to grab one. Protecting Rivers should be a priority, too, as would be getting younger on the defensive line.

That said, it’s hard to envision just how potent Los Angeles’ secondary could be if the team nabbed Alabama safety Deionte Thompson late in Round 1.

Thompson is a true center-field safety, who can handle the single-high scheme defensive coordinator Gus Bradley operates. in fact, one might argue Thompson is still the top safety in this year’s class despite seeing his draft stock fall a bit in recent weeks.

It gets even better, though.

All one needs to do is envision Thompson pairing up with second-year safety Derwin James, who took the league by storm last year from his down-in-the-box role.

A Thompson-James safety tandem would be one of the most prolific in the league if it works out to desired expectations, turning the Chargers defense into arguably the best unit within the AFC West.