A position for the Chargers that is up for grabs is the starting fullback spot after Derek Watt signed with the Steelers earlier this offseason.
Los Angeles brought in two undrafted free agents to compete for the job, and there is one that’s already stealing the spotlight as the team is in the midst of training camp.
Former Florida State product Gabe Nabers has made a positive early impression on coach Anthony Lynn.
“He is an H-back, fullback out of Florida State, and he looks really impressive,” said Lynn. If you are walking out of the door and picking teams, you pick Gabe. He looks pretty good.”
Pt. 2 @gabe_nabers pic.twitter.com/tZJ6DdzP8f
— Austin Wilson (@Dub_Wilson) May 4, 2020
Nabers is a bit of a jack of all trades, having experience at both fullback and tight end. He blocks well, runs solid routes and has good hands – the versatility needed to do more. He finished his collegiate career with 19 catches for 269 yards and three touchdowns.
His competition, Bobby Holly, blocks extremely well, but he doesn’t offer the same kind of athletic skillset that Nabers does.
In this league nowadays, there’s more to the fullback name now than there used to be.
Rather than being stuck in the backfield all the time, fullbacks are now motioned wide, where they can run routes as a slot, hybrid type of player, as well as their normal responsibilities of sitting back in the backfield, leading the way for running backs and picking up blitzes.
It’s a good indicator for a player that’s vying for a roster spot when they get high praise from their head coach. It’ll be interesting to see how the rest of the competition unfolds.