Analyzing Chargers draft picks: How will they contribute next season?

The Chargers had one pick in each of the seven rounds of the 2023 NFL draft. They selected four offensive players, including two receivers and a quarterback, and three defensive players. Two of the defenders have Southern California roots, edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu having played at USC and linebacker Daiyan Henley at Crenshaw High.

Breaking down the picks and how they might contribute with the Chargers next season.

Wide receiver Quentin Johnston stands among friends and family after being selected 21st overall by the Chargers in the NFL draft on Thursday night.

(Rick Kern / Getty Images for Dave & Buster’s)

6 feet 3, 208 pounds, Texas Christian, Round 1, Pick 21

Notable: Johnston was born in Texas to a pair of Army veterans. His father, Carl, served in Kuwait and his mother, Sherry, during Operation Desert Storm.

Last season: As a senior, Johnston caught 60 passes for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns for a Horned Frogs team that reached the college football championship game.

Why the Chargers drafted him: Looking to bolster their cache of targets for quarterback Justin Herbert, Johnston will provide a big target with an impressive catch radius. He was TCU’s leader in yards receiving in each of his three seasons there. Johnston has had an issue with drops but can stretch the field and has proven himself to be explosive once the ball is in his hands.

USC linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu gets to stay in town after being selected by the Chargers in the second round of the NFL draft Friday.

(Wesley Lapointe / Los Angeles Times)

6 feet 3, 266 pounds, USC, Round 2, Pick 54

Notable: Tuipulotu’s brother, Marlon, was a defensive lineman at USC and a sixth-round pick by Philadelphia in 2021. He has appeared in 14 games for the Eagles over the last two seasons.

Last season: Playing on a USC defense that struggled, Tuipulotu was named the Pac-12 defensive player of the year after leading the nation with 13½ sacks.

Why the Chargers drafted him: After Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, the Chargers had a need for depth on the edge. Chris Rumph II has proven himself as a special teams player but has not provided much production on defense to date. Tuipulotu will come in with a chance to immediately become a rotational piece on a defense that needs to improve in its third season under head coach Brandon Staley.

Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley (1) pursues against Arizona State.

(Young Kwak / Associated Press)

6 feet 1, 225 pounds, Washington State, Round 3, Pick 85

Notable: Henley’s father, Eugene, is also known as “Big U.” Eugene is a music executive who has worked with the likes of Snoop Dogg and, as a former gang member, served time in prison on drug charges. Eugene now runs a youth-centered nonprofit called “Developing Options.”

Last season: After playing at Nevada from 2017 to ’21, Henley finished at Washington State, where he had 106 tackles, including four sacks and an interception in 2022.

Why the Chargers drafted him: In need of depth and playmaking on defense, the Chargers went with a prospect who had 14 tackles for loss and five interceptions over his final two college seasons. Henley also is from Los Angeles and played at Crenshaw High, where former Chargers defensive lineman Brandon Mebane played

Wide receiver Derius Davis catches a pass during pro day at Texas Christian. He ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.

(Brandon Wade / Associated Press)

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.

Clemson’s Jordan McFadden blocks against Syracuse.

(Adrian Kraus / Associated Press)

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.

Boise State defensive tackle Scott Matlock celebrates a play.

(Phelan M. Ebenhack / Associated Press)

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.

Texas Christian quarterback Max Duggan (15) warms up before a game. He led TCU to the national championship game.

(David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

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.

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Complete coverage of the 2023 NFL draft

The 2023 NFL draft is April 27-29 in Kansas City, Mo. Here’s our coverage.

April 29, 2023