Pros, cons of Los Angeles Chargers taking Clemson football’s Jordan McFadden in 2023 NFL Draft
Clemson football’s Jordan McFadden was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft on Saturday.
The offensive lineman out of Spartanburg who excelled at Dorman High was the No. 156 overall pick. He is the fifth Clemson player selected in this year's draft and the sixth Clemson offensive lineman taken since coach Dabo Swinney took over before the 2009 season.
McFadden was a three-year starter at Clemson, playing both right and left tackle in his 56 college appearances. He was named first-team All-ACC and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy for the top blocker in the conference after his final season with the Tigers
Here's what the Chargers are getting in their newest offensive lineman.
The positives
McFadden is a seasoned veteran, having played 2,960 snaps in his five seasons at Clemson. That's the third-most of any offensive tackle in program history and the seventh-most of any Clemson player. Analysts especially value McFadden's run-blocking skills and accuracy. His experience as a multi-year starter is a boon, too.
The concerns
At 6-foot-2 and 303 pounds, McFadden doesn't have the height of a prototypical NFL tackle. Analysts have expressed concern over his lack of speed, which combined with his size deficiency could make him a poor matchup for against strong, fast NFL edge rushers. Even in college, he struggled when facing bigger opponents with the speed to get past him in pass protection, and he was often better as a run blocker.
Final thoughts
McFadden projects as a solid backup with starter potential. He might have to move to guard, but if his new team is a scheme fit and is willing to develop his skills at that position, McFadden can grow into a steady Sunday player.
Christina Long covers the Clemson Tigers for the Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. You can follow her on Twitter @christinalong00 or email her at clong@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Los Angeles Chargers pick Clemson's Jordan McFadden in 2023 NFL Draft
