The pre-draft process leading up into the 2021 NFL draft is headed to Mobile, AL, for the Senior Bowl. This event is one of the biggest college football all-star games that will feature the most prolific prospects in the country.
This week will draw the attention of many Chargers’ scouts, coach Brandon Staley, and general manager Tom Telesco to do their homework on players that could potentially be suitors for Los Angeles come April.
Last year this event brought in quarterback Justin Herbert, running back Joshua Kelley, safety Alohi Gilman and wide receiver K.J. Hill. The year before that the team found safety Nasir Adderley and linebacker Drue Tranquill.
It all starts with three days of practices and finally, the game on Saturday. I’ll be in attendance, constantly giving updates throughout the week.
With that being said, here are 11 players to keep an eye out on the defensive side of the ball.
Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami
There’s a chance that Melvin Ingram, who is set to be a free agent, won’t be back next season. The Chargers could roll with Uchenna Nwosu as one of the outside linebackers, assuming they run a 3-4 defense. Regardless, the team needs more talent up front.
After transferring from Temple, Roche accumulated 4.5 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles in ten games for the Hurricanes. Roche is a slippery rusher with the initial burst, functional strength, and natural leverage to threaten the pocket on a regular basis and defend the run.
Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan
The Chargers need to add more pieces to the cornerback room. Casey Hayward took a step backwards last season and will be entering the final year of his contract and Michael Davis will be a free agent this offseason, with his future currently up in the air.
After serving as a depth piece, Thomas found his way in the starting lineup in 2019. In 12 games, Thomas totaled 38 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, three interceptions, three pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries. He elected to sit out his senior season.
Thomas is a lengthy athlete who can stick with receivers downfield. He has good play speed and fluid hips, making for easy transition to turn and run. Thomas uses his athleticism to make plays on the ball and receiver, showing a nice amount of ball skills to finish through contact.
Jacoby Stevens, S, LSU
In Staley’s defense, position versatility is key. He covets hybrid defensive backs that are capable of being put in different coverages and those who can play the pass and the run equally effectively. Stevens is a do-it-all player who fits that mold.
Lining up everywhere from single-high safety to outside linebacker, Stevens logged 63 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, four passes defensed, a forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries in 2020.
The big-bodied defender is a competitor who has the instincts and physicality to play in the box. There, he can roam around the backfield and jam opposing receivers, cover tight ends, rush the edge on blitzing downs and come up in run support. The possibilities with Stevens are endless.
Joshuah Bledsoe, S, Missouri
Since the beginning of his freshman season, Bledsoe gradually grew into one of the SEC’s top defensive backs. He finished his collegiate career with 131 tackles, 19 passes defensed, eight tackles for loss and an interception.
Bledsoe is a good athlete with quick feet, shiftiness in his movements and good body control. He plays fast, quick, rugged, competitive and tough in the run department. His versatility will allow him to be placed just about anywhere in any scheme, but particularly in the nickel or in the slot.
DJ Daniel, CB, Georgia
Daniel joined Georgia in 2019 as a JUCO transfer. In two seasons, he played in 21 games for the Dawgs, recording 51 total tackles, including three tackles for loss, and nine passes defended. Lost in the shuffle due to the presence of Tyson Campbell and Eric Stokes, Daniel still showed out in the secondary.
Daniel has an ideal build for the position at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds with plus length, smooth hips, and quick feet. He has the long speed and reactive athleticism to make early contributions at the next level, but needs to improve his strength in the run game.
Thomas Graham, CB, Oregon
Prior to sitting out in 2020, Graham produced back-to-back productive seasons. In 2018, he logged three interceptions and 18 pass deflections. In 2019, Graham followed that adding two interceptions and 10 deflections along with five tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Arguably one of the Pac-12’s most productive corners, Graham is a physical player who always engages the receiver when the ball is snapped. That physicality also shows up in the run game. He has decent athleticism and shows quick-twitch ability to match up with quicker wideouts.
Camryn Bynum, CB, California
Bynum, a four-year starter at Cal, initially opted out of the 2020 season after the Pac-12 season. When it was reinstated, Bynum returned and earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors. He started all 42 games of his career, tallying 184 tackles with six interceptions and 28 passes defended.
Bynum is an above-average, physical athlete with good shadow ability. He uses his athleticism to make plays on the ball and receiver, and often relies on it to cover any lapses in coverage. His lack of deep speed could lead to a switch to safety, but expanded versatility at the next level is a plus.
Hamilcar Rashed, LB, Oregon State
Earning first-team All-American honors in 2019, Rashed burst onto the scene in 2019. That season he amassed 62 total tackles, 14.0 sacks, and 22.5 tackles for loss. Despite a lack of production in his senior season, his tools still translate to the NFL.
His pass-rush arsenal lacks variety, and his production is based more on effort and athleticism than technique. However, Rashed is only scratching the surface of his ability and shows the athleticism, competitive toughness and physical traits to be a productive NFL pass rusher.
Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
Linval Joseph had a great season in 2020, but the Chargers could afford to add more depth pieces at the nose tackle position to command double-teams and keep the interior guards off the inside linebackers.
In four seasons with the Seminoles, Wilson totaled 109 tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks.
Wilson is long and athletic who has powerful hands to get in the backfield, as well as the strength and balance to hold up against double teams. He also possesses the burst to make an impact in the run game. Wilson owns gap versatility which should come in handy at the next level.
Jordan Smith, EDGE, UAB
In his first season at UAB, Smith finished with 53 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, four forced fumbles, and one pass deflection. This past season in eight games, Smith amassed 22 tackles, nine for loss, 4.5 sacks, one pass deflection, and an interception.
Smith has the explosiveness, length and high motor to win around the edge at the next level and has the ability to hold his own the run game, but needs to improve his hand usage and add some counter moves to be a more well-rounded player. With refinement, he could be a steal.
Payton Turner, DL, Houston
After spending the majority his career for the Cougars as an interior defender, Turner slimmed down to 270 pounds prior to the 2020 season, where he enjoyed arguably his most productive yet, totaling 25 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, and a forced fumble in just five games.
Showing on tape he can play a variety of roles on the defensive line, Turner is a decent athlete who moves very well for his size, displaying first-step quickness, ankle flexion and closing burst. Beyond the way he moves, Turner possesses plus power and strength.
Turner’s versatility will be selling point, as he can be a versatile chess piece on the line. He can play standing up or in a three-point stance on the outside, and he can also kick inside to the 4i position.
