Tag: Chargers NFL draft

Chargers 2020 NFL Draft Target: Michigan IOL Ben Bredeson

Chargers Wire puts Michigan guard Ben Bredeson, a potential target for the Los Angeles Chargers, under the microscope.

Within the next couple of months, we are going to be taking a look at a handful of draft prospects leading up into the 2020 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, we are taking a look at Michigan guard Ben Bredeson.

Honors and Awards

  • Four-time letter-winner (2016-17-18-19)
  • All-American (2019; second team, Walter Camp; third team, AP)
  • Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2017)
  • Three-time All-Big Ten honoree (first team, coaches and media, 2019; second team, coaches and media, 2017-18)
  • Two-time All-Big Ten selection by the Associated Press (second team offense, 2017-18)

Highlights

Strengths

  • Checks boxes for with his frame, carrying his 316-pounds well for the position.
  • Consistent with base and punch (which creates a surge once landed) in pass protection to keep defenders in front.
  • Rolls his hips at contact and runs his feet to generate power and move bodies in the run game. Mauler in short yardage situations.
  • Very smart with the awareness to adjust on the move. Always looking for work.
  • Enough lateral agility to run defenders wide of the pocket.
  • Competes with NFL toughness and a finishing attitude. Above average football intelligence.
  • Plenty of experience, 3,219 snaps played in his collegiate career. Two-time captain.

Weaknesses

  • Top-heavy with excessive forward lean.
  • Bad habit of over-setting in pass protection.
  • Tight-hipped and lacks ideal body control to counter athletic rushers.
  • Struggles to reset and sink if he doesn’t land his initial punch. Anchoring needs work.
  • Foot speed is not ideal when climbing to the second level.

Summary

A two-time team captain, Bredeson has the make-up and mature leadership traits ready for a NFL locker room. While there are some questions about his athleticism, he is physically imposing and a technician in pass pro and as a run blocker, displaying powerful hands, sound feet and intelligence for the position.

Chargers Fit

Bredeson might not be the perfect fit because of his athletic limitations, knowing Los Angeles is going to be running more of a wide zone scheme moving forward. However, his intangibles and skill in pass protection and run blocking, which are areas that aren’t easy to come by, could be selling points, projecting as a starting guard in Year 1.

Projected Round: Late 2nd-Early 3rd

Chargers not projected to receive compensatory draft pick in 2020

The Los Angeles Chargers will not have an extra pick in this year’s draft.

In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers will not have a compensatory pick, according to Over The Cap.

The league awards 32 compensatory draft picks each year based on free agent losses and gains by teams. If a team loses more free agents than it signs, they can receive draft compensation.

Last offseason, L.A. had two players lost that qualified them for a compensatory pick: wide receiver Tyrell Williams (4th) and cornerback Jason Verrett (7th). But the team acquired quarterback Tyrod Taylor (6th) and linebacker Thomas Davis (6th), which ended up cancelling them both.

You’d think that the sixth-round wouldn’t cancel out the fourth-round, but it remains to be seen why that is the case. The league doesn’t make its compensatory pick formula public, but the equation factors in things like contract value, playing time and post-season accolades.

The Chargers own seven picks in this year’s draft, starting with the No. 6 overall selection.

Chargers 2020 NFL Draft Target: Auburn OT Prince Tega Wanogho

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez examines Auburn offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho, a prospect on the Los Angeles Chargers’ radar.

Over the next few months, we are going to be taking a look at hundreds of draft prospects leading up into the 2020 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, we are taking a look at Auburn offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho.

Honors and Awards

  • SEC Academic Honor Roll (2015, 2016)
  • All-SEC First Team – Pro Football Focus (2018)
  • All-SEC First Team – Athlon, Lindy’s, SEC media, SEC coaches, PFF (2019)

Strengths

  • Long, athletic frame, great foot quickness. Possesses terrific lateral range and reaching ability.
  • Gets depth with smooth, fluid kick-slide and does a good job of mirroring. Agile enough to win the edge in pass protection and has the strength to reset and hold his ground if the defender counters.
  • Doesn’t latch on and drive with raw power in the run­ game. Instead, he seems to latch on and get opponents moving with finesse and instincts. Has strength to anchor, hands carry power.
  • Explodes out of stance into defender. Accelerates feet after contact and finishes. Works well at the second level.
  • Has length and strength to redirect around pocket when beaten around the edge.
  • Reliable football character. Competitive toughness is evident. Will play though the whistle.
  • Bruce Feldman’s 2019 college football freaks list for his ability to bench 415 pounds, squat 560, run a 4.95 40 and jump 32 inches.

Negatives

  • Inexperienced at the position and still raw. Didn’t play offensive line until he came to Auburn.
  • Base can get too wide on pass protection, struggling to regather himself.
  • Appears stiff when facing vertical rushes. Impatient and will panic if a defender does start to crowd him.
  • Grip strength, hand placement and carrying out blocks are areas that need to be improved upon.
  • He can struggle to engage athletic defenders at the second level.
  • Works with technique on pass sets but loses that technique suddenly at the high point of the pass rush.

Summary

A Nigerian native, Tega Wanogho left home and arrived in the United States at age 16 with basketball ambitions. But he found his way on the football field, where he was a defensive lineman. He was recruited to play on the defensive side of the ball, but moved to the offensive line, earning a starting spot when he was a sophomore.

The 6-foot-7 and 310-pound Wanogho has terrific feet and overall athleticism. He has power in his hands and a frame that most offensive tackles would kill for. But he is raw and still is learning the finer details of the position. His instincts and technique are a work in progress, but he should blossom with some more coaching at the next level.

Chargers Fit

While Wanogho refines his technique and gets caught up to NFL speed, he still has the physical tools and a skillset that would allow him to instantly start at right tackle. By Year 2 or 3, he could be a viable left tackle with Pro Bowl potential.

Projected Round: Early 2nd

After loss to Vikings, Chargers move up in NFL Draft

After the loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon, the draft position for the Los Angeles Chargers improved.

After the 39-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon, the draft position for the Los Angeles Chargers improved.

The Chargers (5-9) moved up a draft slot to currently hold the ninth pick in the 2020 NFL draft. For the past two weeks, they have held the No. 10 overall selection.

The Bolts have only selected in the top-10 twice over the past 15 years. Both players remain on the roster and have been key contributors since coming onboard.

Defensive end Joey Bosa was drafted with the No. 3 overall selection in the 2016 NFL draft, while wide receiver Mike Williams was the No. 7 overall selection a year later.

The Chargers finish the season against the 6-8 Oakland Raiders and the 10-4 Kansas City Chiefs.

If they lose both games, Los Angeles could very well end up picking close to the top-5 depending on the outcome of the other teams that are around there — Arizona Cardinals (4-9-1), New York Jets (5-9) and Jacksonville Jaguars (5-9).

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Chargers in attendance to scout Florida vs. Missouri

The Los Angeles Chargers were one of several teams in attendance for the matchup between the Florida Gators and Missouri Tigers.

The Los Angeles Chargers were one of several teams in attendance for the matchup between the Florida Gators and Missouri Tigers.

There are a few players worthy of scouting attention in this game.

Florida

WR Van Jefferson

Jefferson, the 6-foot-1 and 215 pound wideout, isn’t the fastest player but he is a technician at route running, he has strong hands and takes a physical approach to win 50/50 situations.

Other notables:

RB Lamical Perine

DE Jabari Zuniga

DE Jonathan Greenard

LB David Reese

CB CJ Henderson

Missouri

CB DeMarkus Acy

The 6-foot-2 and 195 pounder is a long and well-built cornerback who flashes ball skills, reactive athleticism and zone cover ability to be a solid option in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s system.

Other notables:

QB Kelly Bryant

TE Albert Okwuegbunam

DT Jordan Elliott

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