The all-star circuit began in Vegas for the East-West Shrine Bowl, where there were a handful of prospects making some of their final impressions to NFL evaluators.
The Chargers Wire staff was on hand throughout the week, catching all the action. So with that, here are six players who should’ve drawn the attention of the Chargers.
WR Antoine Green, North Carolina
Speed was plentiful at the Shrine Bowl, but no players showcased their jets better than Antoine Green over the course of the week. Green not only could cleanly separate in a footrace and stack his defender with ease during one-on-ones, but he also proved how friendly to the quarterback a receiver of his size (6-2, 201 pounds) could be. He routinely extended his long arms for catches away from his frame to high point balls above the rim and away from contention. Green was one of the better receivers at combatting press coverage from an aggressive group of cornerbacks, a testament to his experience as a fifth-year player. His current toolset has all the makings of a dependable field stretcher at the next level.
CB Kei’Trel Clark, Louisville
Clark, who played the slot this past season for the Cardinals, may have been overlooked by Shrine Bowl attendees. He has below-average size at 5-10 and 179 pounds, but Clark is able to compensate for that with his fine-tuned footwork, instincts, and ball skills. He completely jumped the gun on a couple of receiver screens during team period, an aspect that popped on his tape. Clark’s smooth ability to mirror receivers through their entire route pattern and time pass breakups was a feature across all three days of practice observed by the Chargers Wire staff. He was a top-five player in Vegas based off performance.
S Trey Dean III, Florida
Dean has the traits of a hard-hitting safety that you bet on: tall, fearless, and enough downhill speed to create some second thoughts. He capped off an impressive week in the back half of the secondary with a tip-drill interception in the Shrine Bowl game. Dean’s 6-3, 211-pound measurables were first utilized at cornerback before he swapped positions. Dean executed a variety of tasks and assignments at safety for the Gators, so competing one-on-one against the West team tight ends looked like a natural process for Dean. He is physical, oozes swagger, and teams will love the intensity he attacks the game with.
OL Atonio Mafi, UCLA
The Chargers need offensive line depth this offseason and Mafi’s presence could really boost the group. Just three years ago, Mafi was playing nose tackle for the Bruins. After making the position change to guard, Mafi still imposed his will, as he consistently moved people and held rushers at bay. That type of physicality was displayed throughout the week. The former rugby player was a bully with violent hands, great feet, and a strong anchor to limit every defensive lineman he went up against. In my interview with Mafi, he told me that the Chargers have been watching him closely since his first season in 2018 and really loved his tape.
DT Dante Stills, West Virginia
With Morgan Fox set to be a free agent, the Chargers could be in the market for an interior pass rusher, which Stills could serve as. Stills was one of the most energized players in the trenches. He raised eyebrows with his first-step quickness and twitchiness to penetrate, which blockers struggled to compromise for. He continuously fought with his hands and owned the leverage battle with great pop in his upper half. His motor ran nonstop and he was one of the most vocal players on the field.
EDGE B.J. Thompson, Stephen F. Austin
The Chargers don’t have a lot of valuable depth behind Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack and Thompson is a guy who I could see them targeting on Day 3 to help fulfill that. Thompson ran a 4.56 40, recorded an 11’3″ broad jump with a 40-inch vertical last offseason, and the freakish athleticism was evident. Thompson won with first-step explosiveness, speed, bend, and with his 82.5-inch wingspan.