Tag: Chargers NFL draft

Report: Chargers had formal interview with Minnesota OL John Michael Schmitz

The Chargers appear to have one of the top interior offensive linemen in this year’s draft class on their radar.

The Chargers appear to have one of the top interior offensive linemen in this year’s draft class on their radar.

According to Chat Sport’s Tom Downey, Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz said he had a formal interview with Los Angeles.

Schmitz was one of three finalists for the Rimington Award and earned first-team AP All-American honors in 2022. Additionally, he’s a two-time, All-Big Ten performer.

Schmitz graded out as Pro Football Focus’ top run blocker of all the interior linemen this past season (92.6). He also had not allowed a sack in his career before 2022.

Schmitz is an exceptional run blocker, always looking to demolish defenders. He also has the lateral quickness to keep them locked up on drawn-out rush plays across the field.

Schmitz’s football IQ makes him highly effective as a pass protector, and his top-end strength provides a reliable anchor against holding rushers at bay.

The Chargers are set at the center position with Corey Linsley. But they could be remodeling the left guard spot this offseason, with Matt Feiler a potential cap casualty. Schmitz did say he could play all three interior spots.

Schmitz projects as a late Round 1-early Round 2 selection.

2023 NFL draft: 3 offensive tackles for Chargers to watch at combine

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

The on-field portion of the NFL Combine begins on Thursday, marking the start of the testing circuit that propels some prospects into the stratosphere while ruining the stock of others. To prepare, we at Chargers Wire are previewing players from every position.

Offensive tackle isn’t a position of need for Los Angeles…as of now. With Trey Pipkins set to become a free agent, the Chargers have a number of decisions to make about the future in front of Justin Herbert. Bringing Pipkins back would add continuity. Letting him walk and plugging in Jamaree Salyer would lighten the salary cap bill. Starting Salyer at guard, cutting Matt Feiler for the cap relief, and starting a rookie at right tackle would lighten it even further.

Los Angeles Chargers three-round 2023 NFL mock draft Thursday 6.0

Here is the sixth installment of three-round Thursday, laying out different scenarios on how the draft could play out for the Chargers.

The 2023 NFL draft is creeping up, so we will supply you with in-depth coverage between now and then to inform you who the Chargers could target while they’re on the clock.

With that being said, this will be the sixth installment of the three-round mock draft Thursday, where I will lay out different scenarios every week on how the first three rounds could play out for Los Angeles.

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Chargers 2023 NFL draft target: Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt

Putting Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt under a microscope to highlight his strengths, weaknesses and fit with the Chargers.

Over the next couple of months, we will be looking at a handful of draft prospects leading up to the 2023 NFL draft.

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, I take a look at Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt.

Height: 6-0

Weight: 185 pounds

Class: Junior

Hometown: Irmo, SC

Career: Had 112 catches, 1,742 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns in 29 career games. Holds Tennessee single-season records for receiving touchdowns (15). Won the Belitnikoff Award in 2022, given to the best wide receiver in college football. 

Strengths: Has a serious amount of rocket fuel stored in his cleats to create vertical havoc. Devours cushions off the line. Fluent deep route designer against man coverage who can adjust route stems without setback. Has an easy time selling the home run ball to backtrack on curls and stop routes. Occupies safeties that would otherwise be concerned with filling a gap in the run game. Scored five touchdowns in an upset win against Alabama last season. Has the length to create a larger margin of error for the quarterback. Takes simple glance throws for big profits after the catch.

Weaknesses: One year of relevant production on a limited route tree. Slender build. Spent nearly 90 percent of his snaps in the slot. Lacks experience against press due to the coverage tendencies against Tennessee’s exaggerated spread scheme and his big-play threat. Release package may be underdeveloped for this same reason. Could have trouble adjusting to the shrunken spacing at the pro level. 

Final Word: Jalin Hyatt was the most explosive playmaker in the country during his final college football season. His speed forced defenses to plan their math around stopping his vertical abilities, opening up the rest of the offense. That alone comfortably projects him as a dangerous complementary piece. But to truly project the bounds of his potential, Hyatt will need to show he can learn fast and develop new strengths in an attack that won’t always offer him the vast space he enjoyed in college.

Fit Likelihood: High

Grade: 2nd round

Film Highlights

 

Chargers’ Tom Telesco, Brandon Staley not speaking to media at NFL combine

Chargers HC Brandon Staley and GM Tom Telesco will not hold their pre-combine press conference this week.

The NFL combine is the first event of the offseason where the media gets a chance to interact with the league’s head coaches and general managers in one place.

However, that won’t happen this year because not all 32 head coaches or GMs plan on talking to the media.

Chargers HC Brandon Staley and GM Tom Telesco are not scheduled to speak to media members at Lucas Oil Stadium for their annual pre-combine press conference.

Typically, the media availabilities before the combine are a way to gauge what teams might be looking to do in free agency, the contract statuses of certain players, and the direction they may go in the draft.

The Saints, Patriots and Rams are the three other teams that will not have their head coach or general manager there available to the media.

The reasoning for Staley and Telesco not speaking at the combine is unknown.

Here’s the full press conference schedule for the coaches and general managers in attendance.

2023 NFL Scouting Combine Preview: Identifying the types of players Chargers HC Brandon Staley covets

With the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine set to start this week, we look at the types of players that Chargers HC Brandon Staley covets.

Everybody has a type. With the on-field portion of the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine set to start on Thursday, we’re taking a look at the Chargers’ types.

We start with head coach Brandon Staley, whose NFL career dates back to 2017 as the Bears’ outside linebackers coach. With additional stints with Denver in 2019 and the Rams in 2020, we have six drafts’ worth of intel when it comes to Staley.

2023 NFL draft: 4 edge defenders for Chargers to watch at Combine

Here are a few edge defenders expected to test well at the Combine who the Los Angeles Chargers could target in the 2023 NFL 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 edge defenders worth keeping an eye on.

2023 NFL draft: 5 Combine snubs who could be considered by Chargers

Identifying five 2023 NFL Combine snubs who the Chargers could have on their radar.

319 NFL draft prospects were invited to the National Scouting Combine, which is scheduled for next week.

The list consisted of players that were automatically pinned to get one, some surprises, and quite a few that weren’t invited, leaving some scratching their heads.

Even though there are plenty of prospects that didn’t get the nod, it doesn’t mean that they won’t be getting drafted come April, or go on to have great NFL careers.

Los Angeles’ scouting department and front office have all been doing their homework since the start of August, so they are very familiar with all the talent out there.

With that being said, here are five Combine snubs who should be on the Bolts’ radar.

Alex’s Guys: 2023 NFL draft ‘crushes’ the Chargers might love

Celebrating Valentine’s Day with Alex’s 2023 NFL draft crushes the Los Angeles Chargers might love.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

While for many, today is about celebrating a cherished partner, this year it also marks the official transition between the NFL season and draft season.

With the Super Bowl a couple of days into the rearview mirror, it’s time to focus on the upcoming NFL Combine, slated to occur from February 28 to March 6.

In the spirit of the day, here are a few of my draft crushes heading into the cycle.

Gavino’s Guys: 2023 NFL draft ‘crushes’ the Chargers might love

Celebrating Valentine’s Day with 2023 NFL draft crushes the Los Angeles Chargers might love.

Valentine’s Day is here, and love is in the air.

Some of you are celebrating the day with your significant other, but some are without a Valentine, like me. So today, I’d like to reveal who I have a crush on.

I’m talking about some NFL draft prospects whose tape I enjoyed watching, and that would make sense for the Chargers when they’re on the clock in April.

With that, let’s see who’s drawn my attention.