Tag: Chargers rookies

Part of Chargers CB Asante Samuel Jr.’s Madden NFL 22 rating revealed

Asante Samuel Jr. correctly guessed the specific attribute.

EA Sports began unveiling some of the attribute ratings for ‘Madden NFL 22’ for a handful of rookies, including Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.

In a mini clip that was shared to the creator’s Twitter, Samuel Jr. was tasked with guessing his speed before it was revealed.

Samuel Jr. guessed 92 overall and he happened to be correct. In fact, he was the only one that got theirs right.

Samuel Jr. ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, but he is field fast, showing that he can stay on the hip of any receiver that’s he is lined up across from and come up on any ball thrown in the snap of a finger.

The rest of Madden 22 Rookie Ratings are set to be released tomorrow, July 26, 2021.

Look: Rashawn Slater, Asante Samuel Jr. wear Chargers uniforms for first time

Check out Rashawn Slater and Asante Samuel Jr. showing off their Sunday uniforms for the first time.

The Chargers played dress-up for a media and promotional material photoshoot.

A good chunk of the released shots on social media included notables like quarterback Justin Herbert, safety Derwin James, linebacker Kenneth Murray, among others.

However, featured in the photo dump, courtesy of the team’s official Twitter account, were rookies Rashawn Slater and Asante Samuel Jr.

The two donned the fan-favorite powder blue tops and white pants.

Here’s the first look at Slater and Samuel Jr. in their Sunday uniforms.

Which rookie could be surprise gem for Chargers in 2021?

The Los Angeles Chargers have a rookie that could surpass expectations.

While expectations are set high for the Chargers’ early-round picks, there could be someone from the mid- late-rounds that ends up surprising in their rookie season.

Based on talent, upside, the right fit and a legitimate opportunity, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox listed a first-year player who could end up being a surprise gem for each team in the league.

For Los Angeles, Knox listed third-round pick, tight end Tre’ McKitty as the team’s rookie who could surpass expectations.

The selection of McKitty was largely a traits-based pick, as he only had six receptions for 108 yards in 2020. However, McKitty is a 6’4″, 246-pound pass-catcher with 4.71 speed. Raw and unpolished as a route-runner, McKitty will be a rotational player early in his career. However, he can be a physical mismatch with big-play potential.

Expect McKitty to come on slowly as a rookie but develop into the type of vertical-threat tight end whom Los Angeles lost in Henry.

McKitty was drafted for his blocking skills, where he will have a role is an in-line blocker right off the bat. However, he has true potential to make an impact through the air than most realize.

He has the athleticism, ability to separate at the top of routes, a frame and great hands to reel in everything thrown his way along with impressive power and contact balance to gain yards after the catch.

For Georgia in 2020, McKitty only posted six receptions in four games, which marked a career-low. Before transferring, McKitty had 50 catches in three seasons at Florida State.

It might not be from the get-go that he gets pass-catching snaps since Jared Cook and Donald Parham are ahead of him on the depth chart, but don’t be surprised if McKitty carves up a role sooner than later.

Chargers excited about potential in rookie Mark Webb

General manager Tom Telesco highlighted Mark Webb in the team’s Instagram Q&A.

Day 3 draft picks often go overlooked, but Chargers rookie safety Mark Webb is not to be slept on.

General manager Tom Telesco was featured in the team’s Instagram Q&A on Thursday, and one of the questions that was asked was who he believes was the steal in the later rounds of the draft.

While Telesco didn’t specifically label anyone a “steal,” he said that every single one of their selections from Rounds 4-7 had a potential starter grade and went on to highlight Webb.

“For a seventh-round pick to play for a college like Georgia, he was well-coached and play a lot of different roles in the secondary against great competition,” Telesco said.

“A seventh-round pick I know is hard for those guys to make the team, but we think he has some traits that can translate to what we do on defense, whether it’s outside at corner, nickel which he played a lot of or safety.

He really has safety size and safety tackling ability, and he really has the coverage ability that Brandon is looking for at the position. He really knows how to play the game well, and he’s a guy that can earn a role if he picks up the defense which I’m sure he will.”

Webb’s physical mentality and tackling ability make him a special teams ace from Day 1, but like I’ve said, don’t be surprised to see him make an impact on defense early on in his career.

His versatility, athleticism and traits in coverage and against the run will serve him well in the secondary, whether that be in the deep parts of the fields, as a dimebacker or lined up in the slot.

Plus, he should only enhance his game from the coaching that he will be receiving from head coach Brandon Staley, defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill and defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley.

Highlights from Chargers’ top draft picks speaking at rookie minicamp

Rashawn Slater, Asante Samuel Jr. and Josh Palmer spoke to the media after Friday’s session.

The Chargers’ rookies have all arrived in Los Angeles and are currently in the midst of minicamp over the next couple of days.

Following Friday’s session, the team’s top three selections, tackle Rashawn Slater, cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. and wide receiver Josh Palmer, all spoke to the media.

Rashawn Slater

— Slater hasn’t bought a house yet, adding he is focused on football right now and will find a place later.

— The first thing that he bought after being drafted? Slater got his mom a watch for Mother’s Day.

— It’ll take time to get familiar with all of his teammates, but one player that he has gotten to know is edge defender Chris Rumph II, adding how hilarious he is.

— Slater shouldn’t have a difficult time understanding the offensive system because he said the verbiage and concepts aren’t different from his time at Northwestern.

— Slater said that he is loving the installments of the new offense because it plays to their strengths and gets the defense moving.

— Slater wants to grow as a player and wants to help others grow, too. He gave undrafted rookie offensive lineman Darius Harper pointers after practice.

CB Asante Samuel Jr.

— Safety Derwin James vouched for the Chargers to draft him. Samuel Jr. said James reached out to him to congratulate him and explain the playbook, adding they will get together soon and watch film.

— After practice, Samuel Jr. and Palmer got extra one-on-one reps, and he said that they’re competitive and like to push each other in practices just like in high school (St. Thomas Aquinas).

— Samuel Jr. also gave a shoutout to Rumph, calling his personality “awesome.”

— Samuel Jr. on head coach Brandon Staley: “Great guy, high energy, and pays attention to detail.”

WR Josh Palmer

— What would a successful week at camp look like for Palmer? “Learning as much as he can about the plays and his coaches.”

— Palmer said that the transition is made easier knowing Samuel Jr. “We are both competitors. Iron sharpens iron.”

— What does Palmer think of California so far? “I thought it would be a lot hotter. It is kinda chilly.”

Look: Chargers’ top draft picks receive jerseys

Rashawn Slater, Asante Samuel Jr. and Josh Palmer have arrived to Chargers headquarters.

The Chargers are gearing up for rookie minicamp, which begins on May 17.

The first-year players are starting to arrive in Los Angeles, including the team’s top three draft selections, Rashawn Slater, Asante Samuel Jr. and Josh Palmer.

The team’s official Twitter account posted a video of them holding up the jerseys with their numbers that they will be donning this upcoming season.

Check it out:

Chargers announce rookie jersey numbers for 2021 season

The Los Angeles Chargers rookies have their numbers set in stone for the 2021 season.

The Chargers announced the jersey numbers for their 2021 rookie class on Thursday night.

Here’s a look at the first-year players and the numbers they will be sporting:

  • OT Rashawn Slater – 70
  • CB Asante Samuel, Jr. – 26
  • WR Josh Palmer – 5
  • TE Tre’ McKitty – 88
  • EDGE Chris Rumph II – 94
  • OT Brenden Jaimes – 64
  • LB Nick Niemann – 31
  • RB Larry Rountree III – 35
  • S Mark Webb – 29

Look: Chargers QB Justin Herbert takes field for first time

The Los Angeles Chargers’ first-round pick is ready to get to work.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is all set and ready to go after signing his rookie contract on Sunday.

Herbert and the rest of the rookies reported for training camp at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA on Monday.

The social media crew was there to capture the first-year players in action, sporting Los Angeles’ new practice uniforms.

Herbert, along with the rest of the rookies, will take the field with the veterans on Tuesday as they are slated to report.

Herbert, the No. 6 overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, will be entering camp in a competition for the starting job with Tyrod Taylor.

Chargers sign sixth-round pick safety Alohi Gilman

Former Notre Dame safety Alohi Gilman agreed to his rookie deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Chargers have agreed to terms with their sixth-round pick Alohi Gilman, per his agent Kenny Zuckerman.

Gilman, the former Notre Dame product, is the first of the team’s six selections to get his rookie contract complete.

Gilman, a two-year starter for the Fighting Irish, had 168 tackles, six tackles for loss, a sack, four forced fumbles and three interceptions.

Gilman should be a special teamer right off the bat, but he has the opportunity to earn the spot as the team’s dime linebacker. If he earns the job, he could become a solid contributor.

LOOK: Chargers’ Justin Herbert, Joshua Kelley’s 2020 NFLPA rookie card revealed

Here is a glimpse of what Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and running back Joshua Kelley will look like supporting the new uniforms.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the annual NFLPA Rookie Premiere was cancelled. However, one of their partners made sure to reveal what a handful of rookies will look like with their new teams.

Panini America, which is the exclusive trading card licensee of the NFL and NFLPA, unveiled 42 rookies in their new threads that they will be wearing this upcoming season.

Among the crop of first-year players named to the 2020 Rookie Premiere Class was Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and running back Joshua Kelley.

The card art for both players can be found below:

Typically, the event offers first-year players their first major business and marketing event following. It’s the first time for many companies to connect directly with the rookies all in one place and build relationships.

What do you all think? I think Herbert and Kelley look solid, especially in the team’s new uniforms that will be worn starting in 2020.