Tag: Chargers draft prospects

2023 NFL draft: 3 defensive tackles for Chargers to watch at Combine

Here are a few defensive tackles at the NFL Scouting Combine that the Los Angeles Chargers could target in the draft.

The NFL Scouting Combine kicks off this week, which will bring the 2023 draft class fully into focus, as this is the week of athletic testing, evaluations, and interviews for over 300 prospects.

With the combine ready to set the stage before free agency and the draft, we look at players worth monitoring for the Chargers.

Whether it be players who are options at pick No. 21 or later in the draft, we will pick out some at each position who should test well and generate buzz.

Here are a few interior defensive linemen worth keeping an eye on.

5 potential Chargers targets who stood out at Senior Bowl: Defense

Highlighting a few defensive players from the Senior Bowl who should have drawn the attention of the Chargers.

Now that the 2023 Senior Bowl, the premier all-star game for NFL draft prospects, is over, it is time to reflect on the meaning of the week.

Which players helped themselves the most throughout their time in Mobile and likely garnered the attention of the Chargers?

Let’s dive in with the defensive side of the ball.

11 potential Chargers targets to watch during Senior Bowl week: Defense

Highlighting a handful of defensive players at the Senior Bowl who could be on the Chargers’ radar.

The pre-draft process leading up to the 2023 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.

L.A. has selected 13 players in the past three years that have participated in the Senior Bowl, including Justin Herbert and Zion Johnson.

It all starts with three days of practice and, finally, the game on Saturday.

That said, here are 11 potential targets to keep an eye out for on the defensive side of the ball.

Chargers set to meet with Southern OL Ja’Tyre Carter

The Chargers are interested in an offensive lineman who projects as a multi-positional backup.

The Chargers still have starting spots at right tackle and right guard to fill, but getting quality depth pieces behind them is still imperative.

Los Angeles could be looking at former Southern offensive tackle Ja’Tyre Carter to be one of those guys, as he’s expected to meet with the team virtually, according to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo.

Carter made 37 starts for Jaguars, with all of them coming at left tackle. 2021 marked his most impressive season, as he allowed zero sacks across 11 games. He went on to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

At 6-foot-3 and 311 pounds, Carter recently had an eye-popping Pro Day, having posted a 34.5-inch vertical, a 9-foot-3 broad jump, and a 5.02-second 40-yard dash.

Carter, a former basketball player, possesses the footwork, hands and power to hold his own in pass protection and in the run game. However, he is a candidate to be moved inside due to his shorter frame.

Nonetheless, Carter would supply a multi-positional backup for the Bolts.

He currently projects as a Round 5 or 6 selection.

Chargers Scouting Report: Mississippi State CB Martin Emerson

Breaking down a projected Day 2 cornerback to see if he is a fit for the Chargers in the 2022 NFL draft.

With bowl season wrapped up and the college football season at a close, the draft process and preparations are officially in full swing.

With veteran Chris Harris Jr. likely on his way out, bolstering the cornerback position figures to be a priority for the Chargers this offseason.

Today, we are taking a look at Mississippi State cornerback Martin Emerson.

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Career: Three-year impact player that earned Third Team All-SEC honors from Pro Football Focus as the site’s highest-graded Bulldog. Played in 36 games, racking up 152 tackles, 15 pass breakups, and an interception. 

Red Flags: None

Strengths: Tall 6’2″ frame and one of the lengthiest cover men in his class, which he finds use for press jams and reroute strikes. Demonstrates good eye discipline, vision, and multitasking abilities in zone coverage. Most comfortable stalking the field with the offense in front of him or bailing with his eyes on the quarterback. Maintains his cushion throughout the route and reacts promptly to quash underneath routes. Shows impulse to rake through the catch point when contesting quick-hitting concepts. Vocal communicator and pre-snap director. A fierce and proud run defender with an appetite for statement hits that routinely beats blocks and gets his uniform dirty. 

Weaknesses: Lacks twitch and instinct, which the Bulldogs disguised well with a conservative scheme that limited big-play potential. Struggles with shiftier receivers that can win with lateral quickness. Recovery speed when stretched vertically is a concern. Predominantly relegated to the left-field corner position at MSU. Would need to go to a zone-heavy team to be a contributor. Average ball skills – only one career interception.

Final Word: Emerson is a long, competitive, and zone cornerback that can section off a boundary while surveying the action in front of him. Emerson plays the position with great awareness and avoids taking risks that can jeopardize his coverage integrity but isn’t the most flexible player. He projects as a Cover 2 or 3 zone man that will succeed in off coverage scenarios.

Fit Likelihood: Low

Grade: 3rd

Film Highlights

Emerson flashing his awareness and vision while carrying assignments downfield against Georgia, ultimately finding the ball for the pass breakup.

Emerson recognizing the screen pass and getting out in front of the wall of blockers to halt the Kentucky ball carrier in his tracks.

Chargers Scouting Report: Penn State WR Jahan Dotson

Breaking down a potential target if the Chargers decide to draft a wide receiver early on.

As we are just months away from the 2022 NFL draft, we are doing our annual evaluations on prospects.

With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely.

Today, we are taking a look at Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson.

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Career: Third-team AP All-American. Notched 183 receptions, 2,757 receiving yards, and 26 touchdowns in 42 games. In 2021, joined Allen Robinson as just the second receiver in school history to record 90 catches in a single season while finishing second in career receptions and receiving touchdowns. 

Red Flags: None

Strengths: Premier boundary threat with a well-versed route tree and skills to attack every level of the defense. Nuanced route runner that implements hesitation as well as quick start-stop footwork to shake defenders and prompt reactions that he capitalizes on. Showcases great quickness at the top of his routes, stemming from an effortless ability to sink his hips and explode out of the first few steps of his break. An unpredictable salesman in the intermediate area, deploying every part of his body to drive hard when he cuts. Large, dependable hands form a cocoon around the ball and are aggressive going up for the ball. Expertly wards off press contact and superbly wipes away defensive backs down the route stem, which earns him late separation. A magnet for big plays and long touchdowns with top-end speed to break open secondaries. Tough, competitive ball carrier who runs hard and bangs into tackles without fear. 

Weaknesses: Not overly crafty as a ball carrier. Awareness when his quarterback is forced to work out of structure needs work – he can be a little late to react to the developing action and needs to improve at recognizing those situations to provide an open look. Can get off-balance at times rushing through his task. 

Final Word: An undeniably athletic receiver, Dotson overcomes his below-average size to consistently win against press coverage with stellar technique, explosiveness through his cuts, and premium speed. He is proficient at running a hefty variety of routes and brings a dogged mentality to every snap. Dotson projects as an impact player that can fulfill numerous roles on an offense with his playmaking ability.

Fit Likelihood: High

Grade: 1st

Film Highlights
Dotson converting a red zone opportunity for Penn State against Ohio State in 2020 by working back to the ball for a one-handed catch before scoring.

Dotson toasting a Maryland defensive back on a Sluggo (slant and go) route for one of his three touchdowns of the game.

Dotson’s suddenness and twitch at the top of his route to gain separation outside against Michigan.