After addressing the offensive side of the ball with their first two selections on Day 3, the Chargers shifted their attention to the other side in the sixth-round (No. 186 overall) with former Notre Dame safety Alohi Gilman.
Gilman reunites with linebacker Drue Tranquill and defensive tackle Jerry Tillery.
Los Angeles lost a few key special teamers this offseason, including Adrian Phillips and Derek Watt. Gilman will step in as a special teams ace because of his aggressiveness when coming downhill and high-volume as a tackler.
Gilman does his best work closer to the line of scrimmage. There, he shows understanding of pursuit angles and great instincts against the run and in zone coverage. His combination of physicality and all out effort meshes well with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s defensive philosophy.
With Phillips gone to the Patriots, it wouldn’t be surprising to eventually see Gilman step in as his replacement as the team’s dime linebacker as early as his rookie season. If not, I expect him to be a major contributor in his second season.
To get more familiar with Gilman, below is my pre-draft scouting report and highlights of the disciplined defender:
40-Yard Dash: 4.60 seconds
Bench Press: 17 reps
Vertical Jump: 32 inches
Broad Jump: 119 inches
3-Cone Drill: 6.81 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.08 seconds
Career: Transferred from Navy. Compiled 244 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 12 passes defended in 40 games.
Red Flags: N/A
Strengths: Solid defender that shows good plant-and-drive ability. His shuffle-and-drive technique in zone coverage, always keeps him in the play. Motor is always running hot, and it shows when he is in pursuit. Strong at the catch point. Highly aggressive and intelligent in everything he does on the football field. Physical tackler.
Weaknesses: Lack ideal and height and length. Doesn’t possess the range, speed or other worldly athleticism to be a deep single high safety. Struggles to turn and run with slot receivers. Limited in man coverage. Too often guys are able to slip his blocks, takes wild angles to the ball.
Final Word: Gilman has the physicality, instincts, high football IQ and tackling ability around the short and intermediate levels, but his lack of athleticism shows in man coverage and the deeper parts of the field, projecting as a strong safety, sub-package defender and core special teamer.
Fit Likelihood: Medium
Grade: 6th Round