Tag: Chargers 2020 NFL draft

QB Justin Herbert headlines potential Chargers who shined on Day 1 of 2020 Senior Bowl practices

Quarterback Justin Herbert was one of many players that should’ve drew the attention of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Day 1 of the 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl is officially in the rearview.

This morning kicked off with the annual weigh-ins, which was followed up with media day where analysts, reporters and writers got the opportunity to speak with players before they took the field for the first day of practice.

The South Team made their way out to the big room first, and after about 20 minutes, out came Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert. The 6-foot-6 and 227 pound signal-caller was immediately bombarded by the media, where he was hit with a slew of questions.

One of the questions that Herbert was asked really stood out. He was asked what NFL teams told him they wanted to see this week. There was no mention of polishing things when it comes to his play on the field. Instead, Herbert said one word: “Leadership.”

“I think people are worried about leadership and me being a pretty quiet guy. But I would say that I’m not too quiet. Unfortunately, I’ll talk your ear off. There are these things that I want to be transparent with and give a good representation of myself.

I’m not an introvert. I think that’s one of the things that I don’t think people have the right idea about me and I would say that it’s not fairly accurate and when I get into the huddle, when I get around the team it’s a little bit different and the guys would say that, the coaches would say that and I think they’d agree with me on that.

I think I’m somewhere in the middle (of introvert and extrovert) and there’s shades of both in me. That’s something I’ve really worked on and the coaches have done a great job of pulling that out of me,” Herbert told reporters.

Scouts and general managers know that he has all the physical traits, tools and talent to become a successful NFL quarterback, but teams want to see Herbert command a huddle and take charge on the field because many believe that he isn’t capable of leading a team.

When we got into Ladd-Peebles Stadium where the practice took place, it wasn’t long until Herbert flashed. The Eugene native looked phenomenal on Tuesday, displaying all the physical tools and most importantly, the leadership skills that were being desired.

Herbert was right on the money with nearly all of his throws.  He made plays in and out of the pocket, showcasing his strong arm and athleticism. His most notable pass was a beautiful vertical toss to wide receiver Austin Mack down the sideline where it landed perfectly in his hands.

After Mack reeled in the pass, Herbert scampered down the field fired up to give his teammate the recognition that he deserved.

Herbert’s incomplete passes were more about drops by receivers rather than missed throws on his part. And when his receivers dropped a pass, they made sure to hear about it from Herbert, showing the vocalness that evaluators are wanting out of him this week.

The Chargers’ biggest draft needs other than quarterback center around the offensive line, wide receiver and cornerback position, and there were a few standouts from those groups.

Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones, who is a candidate for Los Angeles’ second-round pick, had a great day. His previous basketball skills were evident in one-on-ones as he was an easy mover with flexible hips and agile feet to stay between the rusher and quarterback.

There was a small-school standout by the name of Ben Bartch who raised some eyebrows. Bartch, the 6-foot-5 and 308 pound tackle, did a fantastic job in pass protection, moving effortlessly and using his 33-inch arms to slow down speed rushers. He played tackle the entire afternoon, but he has the versatility to play inside, too.

As for interior offensive linemen, Michigan guard Ben Bredeson had himself a solid day. Bredeson was quick to leverage the point of attack and achieve body position, latching with his strong hands, and moving with a coordinated lower body to slide and mirror defenders.

A wideout that should’ve garnered the attention of the Chargers scouts was Ohio State’s K.J. Hill. Hill showed off a plethora of route-running skills and techniques to get open during multiple one-on-one reps.

Across from the wide receivers was Oklahoma State cornerback A.J. Green, who showed off some top-notch technique from zone coverage, ball skills and competitiveness during the seven-on-seven drill.

6 potential Chargers to watch during Senior Bowl week: Defense

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out six defensive players to watch in this week’s Reese’s Senior Bowl.

The pre-draft process leading up into the 2020 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 Anthony Lynn, 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 safety Nasir Adderley and linebacker Drue Tranquill. The year before that the team found linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, defensive tackle Justin Jones, linebacker Kyzir White and center Scott Quessenberry in the game.

It all starts tomorrow with weigh-ins/measurements, 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 six players to keep an eye out on the defensive side of the ball.

CB A.J. Green, Oklahoma State – South Team

Adding another talented corner opposite of Casey Hayward should be a must for the Chargers this offseason. Green, the 6-foot-1 and 190 pound corner, finished the 2019 season with 49 total tackles, one interception (returned for a TD), and five passes defensed. The lean, yet lengthy corner played in different styles of coverage, but he is best in zone at the next level. Green shows good awareness of routes developing around him and trusts his instincts, often heading towards the ball before it arrives. He has a quick, tight backpedal with good lateral agility to make sharp diagonal cuts, and is a smooth transitioner from his backpedal to run vertically with above average top-end speed. The one thing that I’d like to see him to do a better job this week is efficiently playing the ball when it’s in the air.

CB Michael Ojemudia, Iowa – North Team

Ojemudia was a big piece to the Hawkeyes’ defense this past year. Ojemudia recorded 52 total tackles, one forced fumble, three interceptions, and had nine passes defensed. The rocked up 6-foot-1 and 200 pound corner played in different styles of coverages like Green, but he is adept in zone coverage, where he has great awareness of underneath routes, demonstrating the quick downhill burst to break up passes in front of him. He has a natural tracking ability which allows him to high point the football. Ojemudia also has the necessary athleticism you want to see out of a bigger corner, as he has the play speed to stay with most receivers. Another strong suit to his game is that he doesn’t lack for physicality in the run game, showing a willingness to blow up blockers and lower his shoulder into ball carriers.

DT Leki Fotu, Utah – North Team

The Chargers need to add more beef up front, and they will have a few different guys that are worth a hard look, starting with Fotu. Not many people of Fotu’s size can move like him. The 6-foot-5 and 335 pound defensive tackle has the speed, power, length, body control and mismatch ability to cause fits for NFL interior offensive linemen, where he would supply a huge boost in the pass rush and run defense department. The former Ute finished his collegiate career with 82 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, four sacks and three passes defensed.

DT Davon Hamilton, Ohio State – North Team

Buried on the depth chart, Hamilton didn’t get the opportunity to unleash his full potential until this past season when he became a full-time starter. Hamilton recorded 28 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. The 6-foot-4 and 310 pound Hamilton excels at his job and that’s to take on double teams to allow other members from the front seven to roam freely. Along with the strength and balance against double teams, he has the first-step explosion and hands to get in the backfield.

LB Cameron Brown, Penn State – South Team

The Chargers need to add more talent to the linebacker room, and they could benefit from someone that’s equally as talented against the run and pass. The 6-foot-5 and 233 pound linebacker is balanced, coordinated athlete who changes direction and accelerates smoothly. He eases into his zone in pass coverage, showing a nice downhill burst to the ball on underneath routes, as well as the range and agility to handle man-to-man duties against running backs and tight ends. Brown is active and aggressive in run support, slicing past would-be blockers to attack the line of scrimmage. He is a physical, competitive tackler with legitimate stopping power.

LB Logan Wilson, Wyoming – North Team

If you are anticipating a riser in this year’s class, Wilson is that guy that’s bound to skyrocket up draft boards. Wilson is a smart, tough, athletic backer who relies on his read and react instincts to get the job done. He possesses tremendous vision and is known to be highly competitive, showing up every play with maximum effort—a lunch bucket guy. He doesn’t have the length to blow up blockers, but he will avoid them with pure speed. Wilson is also strong in coverage, as he finished his senior season with four interceptions and seven passes defensed.

9 potential Chargers to watch during College Football Playoff National Championship

Gavino Borquez lays out nine potential Los Angeles Chargers fans should watch during the College Football Playoff National Championship.

All eyes will be glued to the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship game, where the LSU Tigers take on the Clemson Tigers on Monday night.

While many will be watching it for entertainment purposes, there will be plenty of NFL caliber talent on the field that are worth keeping an eye out for.

With that, here are nine players that the Los Angeles Chargers could be scouting tonight:

Norm Hall/Getty Images

LB/S Isaiah Simmons, Clemson (#11)

Simmons possesses the traits that defensive coordinator Gus Bradley would drool over. His size and speed give him incredible play-making potential. Simmons’ ability to play up in the box, back deep in coverage, or work out of the slot in man coverage make him a versatile Day 1 starter that would make out to be one of the most deadly tandems in the league between him and safety Derwin James.

WR Tee Higgins, Clemson (#5)

The Chargers will be in the market for a WR3 this offseason. Should they look to address the position early on, Higgins is a player that could be available in Round 2. Higgins, the 6-foot-3 and 205 pound wideout, is a physically imposing individual with long arms and great length, which enables him to excel in 50-50 balls.

WR Justin Jefferson, LSU (#2)

Jefferson isn’t going to win with pure speed, but he will with his good understanding of his body and how to play to his strengths to get open. He can win off the line of scrimmage with detailed movements at the line of scrimmage, can make tough catches, is a good outlet given his catch radius and hand strength when reeling in the ball, and can break tackles after the catch.

CB A.J. Terrell, Clemson (#8)

The Chargers will likely be looking for a cornerback to compliment Casey Hayward on the outside this offseason. Terrell, the 6-foot-1 and 192 pound corner, has a great blend of height and length for the position. He has top-notch long speed to stay on the hip of opposing wide receivers, while showing great eye discipline to stay intact with the quarterback and the route. Once the ball is thrown, he disrupts passing lanes using his long arms, making life tough on receivers.

RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU (#22)

Depending on what happens with Melvin Gordon, the Chargers could be looking to round out the backfield. As a runner, Edwards-Helaire has good patience, balance and lateral explosion and burst. A powerful, downhill back with some wiggle to slip through tackles, Edwards-Helaire constantly keeps his legs churning upon contact and can push the pile for additional yardage. He also offers some value as a pass-catcher, showing reliable hands and refined routes out of the backfield.

OG John Simpson, Clemson (#74)

The interior part of the offensive line needs an upgrade this offseason, and Simpson would be a great addition. Simpson, the 6-foot-4 and 336 pound guard, possesses the competitiveness and character that the Chargers would covet. The former high school state wrestler has extremely strong hands and does whatever it takes to finish his blocks as a run blocker. He has a really powerful anchor and sound technique in pass protection.

LB Patrick Queen, LSU (#8)

The Chargers found a gem in Drue Tranquill in last year’s draft. Should they look to find another one and round out the linebacker room, Queen should be in consideration. He possesses good change of direction, sideline-to-sideline ability, short area burst, lateral agility, and reactive athleticism to make plays against the run. In a pass-happy league, Queen is a solid coverage defender where he’s smooth in his backpedal and can close passing windows efficiently.

DT Rashard Lawrence, LSU (#90)

The Chargers will be looking to add more beef up front, especially with Brandon Mebane’s tenure close to coming to an end. Lawrence is a disruptive, upfield player that can penetrate and use his active hands to get into the backfield to make plays. As a run defender, he’s a laterally quick player that can beat blockers to the gap or slide down the line to make plays. His effort and intensity can’t be questioned.

OT Tremayne Anchrum, Clemson (#73)

The Chargers will seeking to solidify the offensive line from the early rounds to the mid-late rounds. Anchrum, the 6-foot-2 and 312 pound, would fall under the mid-late round category, but he is a solid player who can offer position versatility. Anchrum projects well outside or inside at the next level based on his frame, aggression, athleticism, and finishing ability. Despite his length and size, he moves well in open space to fend off pass-rushers.