Tag: Chargers prospects

2024 NFL draft: Chargers send 3 representatives to Washington pro day

The Chargers sent a strong contingent to UW’s pro day on Thursday, including two position coaches.

The University of Washington held their annual pro day on Thursday. 19 former Huskies worked out for NFL evaluators, headlined by quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and offensive lineman Troy Fautanu. Wide receiver Rome Odunze, a projected top ten pick, was present but did not participate.

Among the 30 teams in attendance in Seattle were three representatives from the Chargers: offensive line coach Mike Devlin, defensive line coach Mike Elston, and west coast area scout Chris Hobbs. (A report that offensive coordinator Greg Roman was in attendance was incorrect.)

Both Devlin and Elston ran positional drills for their respective groups. Elston worked out defensive linemen Bralen Trice, Sekai Asoau-Afoa, and Tuli Letuligasenoa. Edge rusher Zion Tupuola-Fetui did not participate as he recovers from shoulder surgery and defensive lineman MJ Ale was not seen after the 40 yard dash. Devlin worked with Fautanu and offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten during their positional work, along with offensive line coaches from the Jets, Raiders, and Steelers.

The Chargers also showed plenty of interest in a number of Huskies players outside the workout. Devlin spent a few minutes chatting with Odunze as the other players ran the 40, the two seemingly familiar with each other from a previous encounter.

Of note, however: Odunze told the media after the workout that he has met with the Giants and plans to meet with the Cardinals, Bears, and Jets in the coming weeks. He did not mention the Chargers as one of the teams set to host him at their team facility.

On the defensive side, Elston had a lengthy conversation with Trice after the defensive line workout concluded. Trice has been matched with the Chargers in longer mock drafts in the past, as his play style aligns with what Los Angeles is expected to be looking for under new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Trice would also not come at a premium draft selection – he’s currently projected to be a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick.

Trice disappointed in athletic testing at February’s NFL Combine, but looked fluid in positional work and showed plenty of bed during bag drills. He did not seek to improve upon his testing numbers from Indianapolis.

Position coaches attending pro days are generally good indicators of interest around the league, so the fact that Elston and Devlin were present in Seattle on Thursday is notable. Hobbs, meanwhile, was active in timing the drills and was seen debriefing the event with Elston as the two exited the pro day venue.

Week 5 Scouting Notebook: A look at potential Chargers prospects in 2024 NFL draft

Here are a handful of prospects for Chargers fans to watch in Week 5.

The fifth week of college football is here, which means we are back with another edition of the Scouting Notebook.

The Scouting Notebook will feature prospects to keep an eye on throughout the day. While some may think it’s too early to start talking about the 2024 NFL draft, there’s never a bad time to talk about the future of the Chargers.

With that being said, here are a handful of prospects to watch for in Week 5.

PFF identifies perfect early/late-round fits for Chargers in 2023 NFL draft

Pro Football Focus suggests a wide receiver and a linebacker for the Chargers.

With the 2022 season in the rearview, all attention has shifted to what the Chargers can do to their roster this offseason to be as competitive as possible to dethrone AFC West rivals and Super Bowl 57 champions, the Chiefs.

The 2023 NFL draft should be where the Bolts can pull out a slew of young talent.

Pro Football Focus recently identified the perfect fits for every team in the early and late rounds.

Given the huge need to address the wide receiver position, PFF has Boston College’s Zay Flowers as the perfect fit for the early round.

The Chargers’ offense could take the next step with some extra speed infused into it, and that’s the kind of player Zay Flowers is.

The Chargers head into the season with a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore, who is expected to unlock the true potential of Justin Herbert. But, to do so, they need to find the missing piece to the puzzle, which is a speed element. And Flowers could be that.

While undersized at 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds, Flowers is a very experienced and dynamic receiver, with not just deep speed but the quickness and twitchiness in space, making him a threat with the ball in his hands, as evident from leading the ACC with 503 yards after the catch.

The perfect late-round fit for the Chargers that PFF identified is Tulane linebacker Dorian Williams.

As for their defense, they could use some extra linebacker help, and Dorian Williams brings high-ceiling athleticism for the position as a mid-round pick.

The Chargers have to make a decision on Drue Tranquill, who is slated to be a free agent in March. If they let him walk, the linebacker corps will need additional players.

Williams is instinctual and physical in run defense and has plenty of downhill speed to make an impact as a blizter. Additionally, Williams has a natural feel for coverage with an understanding of route concepts to make plays.

Williams was productive in college, finishing his career with 316 tackles, 27 for a loss, 9.5 sacks, 44 quarterback pressures, eight passes defended, and two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

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.

2023 NFL draft: 5 potential Chargers targets to watch in Fiesta Bowl

Here are a few players in the Fiesta Bowl that could be on the Chargers’ radar for next year’s draft.

The arrival of the College Football Playoffs allows fans to watch not only four of the best teams clash but the top players as well.

In the first game at 1:00 p.m. PT, the Michigan Wolverines will take on the TCU Horned Frogs in the Fiesta Bowl.

Plenty of NFL evaluators, including the Los Angeles Chargers, will have these players that are going to be in the 2023 NFL draft under the microscope today.

With that, here are a few players that could be in the blue and gold when next April rolls around.

2022 NFL Draft Preview: Chargers Wire’s Top 10 EDGE Rankings

To get you ready for the 2022 NFL draft, here is a look at Chargers Wire’s Alex Katson’s top 10 edge defender prospects.

It’s NFL Draft Eve, with the first round set to kick off tomorrow evening.

As preparation, here are Chargers Wire’s Alex Katson’s top 10 EDGE prospects.

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon

Being named a top prospect before your final collegiate season always results in your every move being put under a microscope. Such nitpicking has made evaluators and NFL teams alike sour on Thibodeaux, whose interests outside of football stem less from a me-first mentality and more from the fact that he’s a marketing major who’s selling his talents. The facts on the field are this: Thibodeaux is the kind of flexible, explosive pass rusher that tends to produce at the next level. There are whispers of struggles against the run and hints of just barely subpar power as a bull rusher, but those are small criticisms of a phenomenal player.

2. Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan

The star of PFF’s latest podcast series very well could have been a first round pick in 2021, but he came back to Michigan to finally get a win over Ohio State and lead the Wolverines to their first CFP appearance. With 14 sacks helping him accomplish both missions, Hutchinson is now one of the favorites to go first overall to Jacksonville. My main concern is that he’s maxed out – while he won plenty with motor and physicality in college, that’s always the toughest part of adjusting to the pros. I wish his counters came more naturally to him and worry that his production will dip as he gets locked up in engagements with pro tackles. That said, he still profiles as a solid 7-10 sack per season player.

3. Travon Walker, Georgia

Walker’s ascent to possible #1 overall pick has been perplexing to many, myself included. It’s not to say I don’t like the former Bulldog: he’s an insanely versatile defensive lineman with some of the best athleticism ever recorded for a defensive end. Georgia didn’t exactly ask their pass rushers to strictly rush the passer, which hampered Walker’s raw production numbers. Another factor was the sheer amount of talent on a historic Georgia defense, which necessitated the type of frequent rotation typically reserved for youth soccer teams. It’s a bet on traits with Walker, and it’s typically easier to teach players a pass rush plan from essentially the ground up when they have the tools that he does.

4. George Karlaftis, Purdue

It confuses me that the NFL seems to be so high on Hutchinson while apparently being low enough on Karlaftis that he might slip out of the first round. One of them played opposite another first round talent with a draftable player taking up space on the interior. The other was busy getting triple teamed because opposing offenses didn’t fear any of his teammates. Maybe Karlaftis orders one portion of Chipotle steak for each blocker he expects to face. He might be the stoutest run defender of the EDGEs, which gives him the easiest projection to an every-down role. For teams without a legitimate shot at Hutchinson, Karlaftis will be a worthy consolation prize.

5. Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State

Before his trip to the Senior Bowl, I had Johnson graded as a second rounder. Within a day in Mobile, he proved that I had severely underestimated him. By the time the week had ended, we were talking about Johnson as a potential top 10 selection. He possesses only average bend, which sometimes forces him to take a wider than optimal angle as an outside track rusher. Normally, that’s a big deal for me as someone who prefers much twitchier pass rushers. But Johnson’s pass rush plan is one of the best in the class. His film contains resplendent examples of setting up counters throughout the game and preying on opposing tackles who begin to think they’re a step ahead.

6. David Ojabo, Michigan

Before tearing his Achilles at his pro day, Ojabo was threatening the top three of these rankings. Plenty of people whose opinions I respect suggested that the Scotsman may have been better than his household name teammate on the other side of the line. It’s a remarkable rise for Ojabo, who started playing football in 2017 after seeing the success of high school classmate Odafe Oweh on the gridiron. 2021 was his true breakout, with 11 sacks and 5 forced fumbles after seeing defensive action in just one game in 2020. There’s technical tweaks to be made, namely pad level off the snap, but to select Ojabo is essentially to signify trust in your defensive line coach and veteran team leaders. 

7. Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State

I said earlier that I prefer twitchier pass rushers, and there are few better lower half athletes than Ebiketie. It’s a projection with him, considering his dismal run defense and lack of pass rush counters, but I don’t see it as being significantly different from Odafe Oweh last draft. He’s built like a three-down player without the strength of one, which is an appealing proposition from a development standpoint. For teams with established starters in need of an impactful rotational piece right away, Ebiketie is one of this year’s best options. If the Chargers trade down from 17th overall into the late first or early second, he could very well be a target.

8. Boye Mafe, Minnesota

Mafe and Ebiketie are very similar players, but Ebiketie is a few months younger with more reps as a run defender. Despite being built more sturdily, Mafe’s primary non-pass rush experience is as a dropper into coverage, which I don’t anticipate being a role he retains as a pro. That lack of exposure leaves me with more questions than I have about Ebiketie’s development into a capable run defender. However, Mafe seems a touch more explosive on tape, which brings the two into virtually a tie for EDGE7. Either one seems to have a reliable case to sneak into the first round and I expect both to be off the board within the top 50.

9. Cameron Thomas, San Diego State

Thomas played every position on the defensive line as an Aztec, but he told me personally at the Senior Bowl that he’ll be focusing on EDGE as a pro. To that end, the Carlsbad High alum will likely be playing around 260 to 265. That weight drop from his listing of 270 on SDSU’s website may help with his quickness and bend, which are outstanding for an interior player but middling for a pass rusher. Sometimes he hangs onto his first move a bit too long, but when his long-arm and cross-chop are as effective as they are, I can’t blame him too much. Ultimately, I think Thomas will be available in the third round due to his tweener/hybrid status, but that draft status could soon prove to be a severe undervaluation.

10. Alex Wright, UAB

Wright has consistently flown under the radar leading up to this draft. He quietly declared early after logging 6 sacks in a breakout 2021 season for UAB, then strained his pectoral at the combine and was unable to complete the rest of the workouts. He’s more of a straight-line athlete, but the amount of bend he has for a 272 pounder is truly unreal. Even after contributing in all three seasons as a Blazer, there’s still miles and miles of room before Wright hits his ceiling. With the versatility to kick as far inside as three tech and flashes of savant-level football IQ, there’s plenty to like about Wright’s profile. He’ll be hindered by some subpar testing numbers, but sometimes it’s best to just draft good football players. 

A defensive tackle for Chargers in each round of 2022 NFL draft

Laying out a defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers in each round of this year’s draft.

The Chargers have a few positions that need to be addressed in the upcoming draft, and defensive tackle sits near the top.

Luckily, this year’s crop has starting-caliber talent from the first day of the draft until Day 3.

With that being said, here’s a tackle from each round that could fit in Los Angeles:

Round 1, Devonte Wyatt, Georgia

Wyatt’s former teammate, Jordan Davis, is a popular fit for the Chargers. But after the signing of Sebastian Joseph-Day, I believe the team could be looking for a versatile defensive lineman, with the ability to plug in at the three-technique spot because Joseph-Day played just under 50% of his snaps as a nose tackle in Brandon Staley’s 2020 Rams defense.

In two seasons as a starter at Georgia, Wyatt racked up 64 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. At the Combine, Wyatt blew up the event with his immense athleticism, including the fastest 40-yard dash among defensive tackles with a blazing 4.77.

Overall, Wyatt is a high effort player who can contribute against the pass and run due to his snap quickness, lateral agility, and striking ability but will need to enhance his hand usage further and improve his stoutness, projecting as a starting three-technique, while also being able to shift to the 4i and five-technique.

Round 3, Phidarian Mathis, Alabama

Mathis amassed 53 total tackles, nine sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and two blocked passes in 2021. He received second-team All-SEC and All-American honors.

Mathis finished fifth in the broad jump (9-foot-11) among defensive tackles at the Combine. He was also a top performer in the 20-yard shuttle (4.91 seconds).

With his length, violent hands, lower-body strength, lateral agility, and ability to anchor, Mathis can create interior pressure just as well as he can defend the run at the next level, drawing parallels to Akiem Hicks.

Round 4, Thomas Booker, Stanford

Booker tallied 159 total tackles (89 solo), 20.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, eight passes defended, a forced fumble, and an interception in four seasons with the Cardinals.

At 6-foot-3 and 301 pounds, Booker wins with initial quickness off the snap to penetrate gaps and strength in his upper half, and active hands to control blockers to reset the line of scrimmage.

Booker lined up at various spots on Stanford’s defensive line, from nose tackle to five-technique.

Booker is capable of carving out a productive rotational role at the next level.

Round 5, Eyioma Uwazurike, Iowa State

Uwazurike finished his final season as a Cyclone with nine sacks and 12 tackles for loss. He had six combined sacks in his previous three seasons.

Boasting rare size at 6-foot-6 and 318 pounds with 35 1/8-inch arms, Uwazurike is a versatile lineman, having lined up at nose tackle, 3- 5-technique on the Cyclones’ multiple front, who wins with a blend of power, quickness, and length.

Uwazurike projects as a versatile rotational lineman, but he will be at his best using his strength and two-gapping ability to line up as a five-tech for the Chargers.

Round 6, Otito Ogbonnia, UCLA

Ogbonnia tallied 76 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and six passes defended in his four seasons with the Bruins.

At 6-foot-4 and 324 pounds, Ogbonnia’s time as a former shot putter shows up on the football field as he wins with brute strength and good hand usage to control and move defenders.

Ogbonnia was primarily a nose tackle in the Bruins’ defense, but he occasionally bounced out to a 3-tech. At the next level, he projects best as a two-gapping nose tackle, where he would see the field on run downs.

Round 7, Eric Johnson, Missouri State

Johnson posted 43 tackles (19 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five quarterback hits, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, three pass breakups, and three blocked field goal kicks during 12 starts in 2021.

Johnson participated in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, where his dominant performance raised the eyebrows of evaluators to the point where he was invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

On film, the 6-foot-4 and 299 pounder with 34 1/4-inch arms stands out, winning with his length, agility, power in his punch, and explosiveness off the snap. At the next level, he will be at his best eating up blocks to free others up to rush.

Chargers 2021 NFL Draft Target: Texas OT Samuel Cosmi

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez breaks down former Texas offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi.

Over the next couple of months, we are going to be taking a look at a handful of draft prospects leading up into the 2021 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 Texas offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi.

Vitals

Height | 6-7

Weight | 309

College Bio Page

One-Liner

Due to his length, natural balance, athleticism, and movement skills, Cosmi has a very high ceiling, but his pass-blocking technique will need to improve and he will need to get stronger and put more muscle mass on his body.

Highlights

Strengths

Moldable frame with long arms.

NFL-level athleticism. Balanced in his set-up and initial movements.

Uses length to his advantage to initiate contact when he wants. Relies on his reach to meet rushers and maintain spacing.

Coordinated feet, able to transition smoothly laterally, with blocking range to take out defenders at the second level and on the perimeter.

Drives his legs to uproot defenders as a run blocker.

Physical mind-set and always looking for someone to block.

Smart and quickly picks up defenders on delayed blitzes and combo blocks.

Versatility to play both tackle spots (14 games at right tackle, 21 at left tackle).

Weaknesses

Room to add more bulk and get stronger. Needs to develop his upper and lower half to strengthen his anchor.

Technique in lower half is a work-in-progress. Rushers take advantage of his leaning and overeager pass-sets.

Inconsistent hand/punch timing, allowing rushers to cross his face and get into his chest.

Pad level tends to rise at contact, allowing defenders to get underneath him.

Chargers Fit

Cosmi projects as a starting right tackle in his rookie season with the capability of becoming a full-time starter at left tackle once he becomes a more polished lineman and gains more mass. That’s unless the team is completely comfortable of allowing him to protect the blindside in Year 1.

Projected Round: Top-20

Potential Chargers prospects to watch: Bowl Game Preview, December 22

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lists the prospects that could be on Los Angeles’ radar in the bowl games played on December 22.

The majority of the attention in regards to the Chargers has shifted to the offseason, with only two games left to be played.

With college football bowl games kicking off this week, now is a good time to take a look at what each game has to offer in terms of 2021 NFL draft prospects that could be on Los Angeles’ radar.

To give you all a preview of what to expect this week, I will break down each bowl game taking place and give a quick breakdown of some of the players that might intrigue L.A.

Let’s start with the games taking place on Dec. 22.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Tulane vs. Nevada, 1:30 p.m. PT on ESPN

Tulane has done a nice job of shipping players off to the next level, with the likes of Bears’ Darnell Mooney and Jets’ Tanzel Smart, among others. This year, the Green Wave boasts a pair of pass rushers that would be solid additions by Los Angeles, Patrick Johnson (#7) and Cameron Sample (#5). Unfortunately, Johnson, a first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection that had 10 sacks this year, won’t be playing in the bowl game. His teammate, however, will be. Sample finished the 2020 season with 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks to go along with 50 quarterback pressures. He is a bit of a tweener, size wise, but he competes with the quick hands, energy and toughness that translates to production the next level. Nevada has two offensive players that are considered draftable, including wide receiver Romeo Doubs (#7). Doubs is a good-sized wideout who has the speed and tracking ability to make plays at the next level.

Boca Raton Bowl: UCF vs. BYU, 6:00 p.m. PT on ESPN

UCF has a couple of guys on the defensive side of the ball that could appeal to the Bolts, starting with arguably their top prospect, cornerback Aaron Robinson (#31). Robinson, the 6-foot and 193 pounder has the reactive athleticism and closing speed to be a solid corner either on the inside or outside. Should the Chargers look to add more depth to the free safety position, Richie Grant (#27) is an intriguing option. Grant is a rangy, deep-zone safety who has the speed, ball skills and tackling ability to make it at the next level.

Meanwhile, BYU is rich with talented players that have gone under the radar, most notably offensive tackle Brady Christensen (#67). Christensen, Pro Football Focus’ top-ranked left tackle, has the pass blocking chops, run blocking prowess and athleticism to project as a starter at the next level, but his anchor ability and hand use needs work. The Cougars also boast two other offensive linemen that have NFL potential, right tackle Chandon Herring (#77) and center James Empey (#66). Herring was featured in Bruce Feldman’s 2020 list of the 50 freakiest athletes in college football, having bench pressed 410, power cleaned 380 and snatched 285. Herring is a quick, reactive athlete that possesses footwork and lateral-movement skills for the next level. Both Christensen and Herring are capable of playing guard, too. Empey has a quality combination of athleticism, movement skills, and instincts. On defense, Los Angeles might benefit from adding someone like nose tackle Khyiris Tonga (#95) to play behind Linval Joseph. Tonga is a massive gap eater who wins with his quickness and explosion. He has good range and is stout versus the run.

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