Tag: Chargers predictions

The Athletic predicts Chargers’ MVP for 2021 season

Who will have the biggest impact for the Los Angeles Chargers in the upcoming season?

The Chargers are flooded with play-makers on both sides of the ball, but who will have the biggest impact in the upcoming season?

The Athletic predicted most valuable players for all 32 teams, and for the Chargers, Daniel Popper gave the title to edge defender Joey Bosa.

Quarterback Justin Herbert is the expected answer, but I am going in a different direction: edge rusher Joey Bosa. He was outstanding last season despite battling numerous injuries — two concussions, knee, triceps, ankle and shin. He was far and away their best defensive player and, more than once, single-handedly kept the Chargers in games with timely sacks, pressures and tackles for loss. I firmly believe he would have been in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation if he had been healthier. The Chargers hired a defensive mastermind head coach in Brandon Staley, who has proven adept at getting the most out of star players. Bosa is at that level, both as a pass rusher and a run defender. In this new, more aggressive defensive scheme, we could see a career season from Bosa, as long as he stays on the field.

There’s a reason why Bosa was the second-most disruptive player in the NFL last season. The 25-year old impacted both against the pass and run, all while still dealing with various injuries.

Given the fact that games are won and lost in the trenches and Bosa will be playing for defensive-minded Brandon Staley, he could truly be the game-changer for the Bolts this season.

However, I am going to counter and go with safety Derwin James as my prediction for Los Angeles’ MVP in 2021.

James has proven himself as a one-man wrecking crew that has dictated a large portion of the team’s success since entering the league back in 2018.

In his rookie season, which is the year James did play a complete season, he was an All-Pro and the Chargers were 12-4 and in the playoffs. The past two seasons, in which he was hurt, they had a losing record and missed the playoffs both years.

When James is on the field, opposing offenses are more prone to struggle due to his rare abilities against the pass and run. That skillset should only be unlocked even more playing under Staley, where his versatility will be put to good use.

Should he stay healthy, James increases the Chargers’ chances of making a deep run in the upcoming season.

3 questions for the Chargers heading into 2021 season

The Los Angeles Chargers are receiving plenty of hype at the moment, but there are still some questions the team faces.

There’s plenty of optimism around the Chargers at the moment.

They have one of the best-looking rosters that they’ve had in quite some time and a new coaching staff.

Still, there are questions that Los Angeles faces heading into and during the 2021 season.

2021 NFL draft: Chargers Day 2 predictions

What might the Los Angeles Chargers do on Day 2? Let’s take a crack at predicting the picks.

The Chargers hit a home run in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, selecting offensive tackle Rashawn Slater. Now with Day 1 in the rearview, the attention has shifted to Rounds 2 and 3.

What might Los Angeles do with their Day 2 picks? Using Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator, I took a crack at how general manager Tom Telesco could continue his haul.

Round 2, No. 47, S Jevon Holland, Oregon

I know what you’re thinking. Yes, the Chargers need a starting cornerback, but the safety position needs just as much attention considering Derwin James has only played five games in the past two seasons, Nasir Adderley is coming off of a sophomore slump and Alohi Gilman isn’t a scheme fit.

As Staley said: “I don’t think you can have enough DBs just in the current NFL.”

Lining up in the box, the slot and from a two-high safety spot, Holland served as a key piece in the pass and run defense.

Holland’s speed, instincts and strength should bode well in coverages against opposing receivers. Also, he is high effort player who is not afraid to stick his nose in to make a tackle. In addition, he can serve as a punt returner and contributor on coverage units.

Ball skills, you ask? Holland produced 19 passes defensed and nine interceptions for the Ducks in two seasons.

Holland would be an instant contributor for the Bolts where he offers the positional versatility with his ability to play safety or nickel corner at a high level, something that would give the team a lot to work with in the back end of the defense.

Round 3, No. 77, CB Paulson Adebo, Stanford

The Chargers still manage to find a corner who’s capable of starting from Day 1 in the third-round.

Adebo had a phenomenal sophomore year with the Cardinals. He seemed destined to be a first-round pick, but his junior tape was inconsistent, so Adebo wanted to solidify his name as a top corner and returned to school for 2020. However, COVID-19 put things to a halt, forcing him to opt out.

Built with a long and rangy physique, Adebo shows the looseness and fluidity, rarely allows any separation on vertical routes. He shows receiver-like ball tracking abilities when the ball is in flight. He can control the rep and dictate where the receiver goes in press and is always aware in zone.

Like Holland, Adebo is always around the ball. In two seasons, he posted 34 passes defensed and eight interceptions.

Adebo is also very good in run support, diagnosing things develop in the snap of a finger and shooting downhill to make stops in the open field or near the line of scrimmage with textbook technique.

Overall, Adebo’s fluidity, reactive athleticism and his playmaking abilities against the pass and run make him a plug-and-play cornerback for Staley. His effort and play speed would allow him to serve as a gunner on the punt team unit, as well.

Round 3, No. 97, TE Hunter Long, Boston College

It wouldn’t surprise me if the Chargers drafted a tight end with one of their first two selections on Day 2 considering Jared Cook is only a one-year deal, but here we are after taking two impactful players on the defensive side of the ball.

Productive throughout three seasons, Long finished his stint with the Eagles with 89 catches for 1,297 yards and nine touchdowns.

At 6-foot-5 and 254 pounds, Long is a smart, willing blocker who shows athleticism in his routes, has very good speed, and a big catch radius, projecting as a capable tight end in this league with good receiving potential who can fill an inline and slot role.

Final mock draft round-up: Who do analysts have Chargers taking in Round 1?

The mock drafts finally come to an end today.

The day has finally come. We are hours away from the 2021 NFL draft, which means that mock drafts are finally being put to bed.

I put out my final seven-round projections yesterday, but who are the other analysts and writers predicting the Chargers to do when they’re on the clock with the No. 13 overall selection?

NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah — WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama

“I could see the Chargers trading back and drafting an edge rusher. If they stay put at No. 13, Waddle would be the perfect complement to Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.”

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler — Rashawn Slater, Northwestern

“The Chargers will likely explore a trade up for Sewell, but there is also a possibility that Slater falls to them. The Northwestern left tackle would give Los Angeles an upgrade blocking Justin Herbert’s blindside.”

Underdogs Fantasy’s Josh Norris — Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech

“Again, the Chargers could move up if the Lions drop their asking price. If not, Darrisaw makes sense as the next option to protect the left side.”

ESPN’s Todd McShay — OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC

“With both of the top tackles off the board, I have the Chargers pivoting to the interior here. Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler were both good signings in free agency, but L.A. can’t be done. It has to make protecting quarterback Justin Herbert the top priority. Vera-Tucker is the top guard in the class and an excellent pass protector. Plus, he played tackle this past season and offers versatility.”

USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz — CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina

“Much as they might like to finish off their offensive line reclamation project, the Chargers could also be drawn to rebuilding their secondary with one of the top cornerbacks on the board. While it might be a stretch to liken Horn to Jalen Ramsey, new coach Brandon Staley no doubt would relish another well-built cornerback with explosive athleticism and fierce competitiveness after he worked with Ramsey last year as the Rams’ defensive coordinator.”

Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline — OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech

“The offensive tackle-needy Chargers take the next best tackle available in Christian Darrisaw. They could move up a few spots for Slater or Sewell if either starts to drop.”

Pro Football Focus’ Cris Collinsworth — OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech

“Darrisaw is a physical mauler, a legitimate tough guy, and should create real opportunities in the running game, as well. Darrisaw has an athletic kick step and a death grip when he gets his hands on rushers. He comes off the ball low and powerfully in the run game and has plenty of athleticism in space. My concern is how he’ll fare against speed off the edge; he has such great energy in the running game, but I would just like to see him use that same energy finishing in protection. But make no mistake, he is a bad man.”

Bleacher Report’s Brandon Thorn — OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech

“Darrisaw has prototypical size with very good power and solid athletic ability, plus he has demonstrated the necessary toughness to stick as a pro. Adding him here would give the team tremendous upside while ensuring Herbert’s blind side is protected by a player that could grow alongside their franchise signal-caller. Darrisaw has some questions about his focus and concentration on a snap-to-snap basis, but he has all the tools and traits needed to develop into a high-end starter if he can dial it in consistently.”

3 bold predictions for Chargers in 2021 NFL draft

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out three bold scenarios in this year’s draft.

The Chargers are hoping to find the right pieces to turn things around after an unexpected down season in the upcoming draft.

However, the draft rarely goes according to plan. Trades will occur and surprising selections will be made, leaving fans with their mock drafts they made in shambles.

With that, let’s take a look at three bold scenarios that might happen that supporters of the Bolts might not expect to happen:

Chargers draft a pass-catcher in Round 1

Los Angeles is projected to take a left tackle or cornerback in the first-round, but it wouldn’t be a Chargers draft if there wasn’t a curveball thrown by general manager Tom Telesco.

Telesco should have at least one of Christian Darrisaw, Rashawn Slater, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Patrick Surtain or Jaycee Horn available at No. 13. But passing up on them all together and giving quarterback Justin Herbert another weapon could be too appealing.

Guys like DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle or Kyle Pitts might be available and Telesco could roll the dice on one of them, knowing that Mike Williams will be in the final year of his contract and Jalen Guyton didn’t do enough to warrant himself as a starter after a slew of drops.

I am not an advocate of this move simply because good tackles will go early and often, and L.A. shouldn’t wait to pull the trigger. The chances of finding a Day 2 or 3 wideout who’s successful in the NFL are a lot higher.

Chargers trade back up into the first-round

After seeing a run on tackles, Telesco can’t wait until pick No. 47 to only have slim pickings of players at the position after taking a skill player. Instead, he jumps back into the first-round to draft one before the capable starters are gone.

We know that Telesco isn’t afraid to make this move, as he sent the team’s 2020 second-round pick (No. 37) and third-round pick (No. 71) to the Patriots in exchange for the No. 23 selection to take linebacker Kenneth Murray last year.

Guys that he might want to trade up for include Teven Jenkins, Samuel Cosmi or Alex Leatherwood.

Chargers draft a safety before cornerback

Next to left tackle is cornerback as team’s most pressing position needs, considering Michael Davis is the only starting-caliber boundary corner on the roster and Chris Harris Jr. is set to be a free agent after this upcoming season.

However, the safety position also needs to be addressed.

This group could get priority because Derwin James has dealt with two consecutive major injuries. Nasir Adderley is coming off a sophomore slump. Alohi Gilman isn’t much of a scheme fit.

Head coach Brandon Staley won’t be afraid to get his guy, who will be someone who can play on the back end of the defense and move into the slot to defend slot wide receivers and tight ends.

Staley would love to have a guy like Richie Grant, Jevon Holland or Trevon Moehrig on the Chargers.