Tag: Chargers

2024 NFL draft: Watch highlights of new Chargers DT Justin Eboigbe

To get familiar with the newest member of the Chargers, here are some highlights of Justin Eboigbe.

The Chargers addressed the interior part of the defensive line with the selection of Justin Eboigbe.

Los Angeles signed Poona Ford in free agency, but the positional room still needed additional depth. And they fulfilled that by picking up one of the best run-defending defensive tackles.

To get familiar with the newest member of the Bolts, here are some highlights of Eboigbe.

Instant analysis of Chargers selecting DL Justin Eboigbe

Analyzing the Chargers’ selection of Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe with the 105th overall selection.

Justin Eboigbe had an incredible game against Michigan in the College Football Playoff.

It turns out Jim Harbaugh took notice.

The Chargers made Eboigbe their fourth-round selection on Saturday, drafting him with the 105th overall pick. A 6-foot-4 and 297-pounder, Eboigbe played the Jonathan Allen role in Alabama’s defense in 2023, spending the bulk of his snaps at either 5 technique or 3 technique.

Eboigbe does come with some injury concerns: he missed nine games in 2022 with a herniated disk that pushed against his spinal cord and required career-threatening surgery. The same surgeon who did Justyn Ross’ neck operation did Eboigbe’s, kicking off a seven-month recovery process.

Los Angeles must be comfortable with that risk, because if Eboigbe stays healthy, he projects as the Chargers’ starter at 3 technique next to Poona Ford at nose and Morgan Fox at 5 technique. He’s a versatile lineman who defends the run (63 tackles in 2023) and pass (30 pressures) equally well.

2024 NFL draft: Chargers pick DT Justin Eboigbe with No. 105 overall selection

The Chargers beefed up the interior part of the defensive line with the selection of Justin Eboigbe.

The Chargers selected former Alabama defensive tackle Justin Eboigbe with the No. 105 overall pick.

The Chargers signed Poona Ford in free agency, but they still need more reinforcements along the interior part of the defensive line.

Eboigbe was a key contributor for the Crimson Tide before a neck injury derailed his 2022 season. He followed it up with a breakout campaign before declaring for the draft, recording 63 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, and a pass defended.

The 6-foot-5 and 292-pound Eboige is an interior defender who is tough and well-built with the strength to anchor at the point of attack and eat up double teams. While his strength is in run defense, this past season he showed the explosiveness and technicality to get after the quarterback.

2024 NFL draft: Watch highlights of new Chargers LB Junior Colson

To get familiar with the newest member of the Chargers, here are some highlights of Junior Colson.

The Chargers addressed the linebacker position with the selection of Junior Colson in the third round.

Los Angeles needed more playmakers in the middle of the defense, and the addition of Colson provides it with an athletic backer with good speed to make plays in open space and coverage skills.

To get familiar with the newest member of the Bolts, here are some highlights of Colson.

 

 

Instant analysis of Chargers selecting LB Junior Colson

Analyzing the Chargers’ selection of Michigan linebacker Junior Colson with the 69th overall selection.

The Chargers have added their first Wolverine player of the Jim Harbaugh era.

But it wasn’t running back Blake Corum or wide receiver Roman Wilson, both heavily rumored to be landing in LA sometime on Friday evening.

Instead, it was linebacker Junior Colson, who I mocked to the Chargers with this selection in my first projection at the beginning of April. Colson should compete for playing time with 2023 third-rounder Daiyan Henley next to veteran Denzel Perryman, who signed this offseason in a reunion.

Perryman turns 32 in December, however, and was signed to just a one-year deal. The plan will almost certainly be to start Henley and Colson in the long term, with Colson at middle linebacker and Henley in more of an outside linebacker role.

Adopted out of Haiti in the wake of the devastating 2010 earthquake, Colson has one of the more heartwarming stories in the draft. But his play is anything but wholesome – he’s a hard tackler with the athleticism to cover the entire field. He does so cleanly: Colson was not penalized a single time in 2023.

Colson has said before “unless I can’t physically move, I’m going to be out there playing.” That’s exactly the mentality Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz are looking for in this new era of Chargers football.

And now, Colson will bring that toughness to Los Angeles.

2024 NFL draft: Chargers pick LB Junior Colson with No. 69 overall selection

The Chargers upgraded the linebacker room with the selection of Junior Colson.

The Chargers selected former Michigan linebacker Junior Colson with the No. 69 overall pick.

Los Angeles added Denzel Perryman and Troy Dye in free agency, but the positional room needed more playmakers and additional depth. Colson reunites with Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter.

Colson is a rangy and explosive linebacker whose coverage skills are high-quality NFL traits. He has the speed to stay in phase with tight ends and running backs and is also effective in the run game.

During his time at Michigan, Colson racked up 256 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions and 2.5 sacks.

Twitter reacts to Chargers’ selection of Ladd McConkey

Here is a snapshot of how the general population reacted when Ladd McConkey was announced as the newest member of the Chargers.

The Chargers finally addressed the wide receiver position with the pick of Ladd McConkey in the second round.

McConkey should quickly become Justin Herbert’s best friend. He is a sure-fire separator with silky smooth route-running skills and great speed.

Here is a snapshot of how the general population reacted when McConkey was announced as the newest member of the Bolts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2024 NFL draft: Watch highlights of new Chargers WR Ladd McConkey

Get familiar with the newest member of the Chargers, Ladd McConkey.

The Chargers improved the wide receiver room with the selection of Ladd McConkey at No. 34 overall.

There were questions about when Los Angeles would address the position after taking Joe Alt in the first round. They answered them by moving up three spots to get McConkey, arguably the best route runner in this class.

To get familiar with the newest member of the Bolts, here are some highlights of McConkey:

 

Instant analysis of Chargers selecting WR Ladd McConkey

Analyzing the Chargers’ selection of Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey.

This is why you read mock drafts.

In both mock drafts I did on Chargers Wire, including the final mock posted on Thursday morning, I projected that Los Angeles would select Ladd McConkey at No. 37.

And now, with a small trade up to get him, McConkey is a Charger at the 34th overall pick.

The upside here is that McConkey will be a more direct replacement for the traded Keenan Allen as an underneath player who wins with route-running savvy. We know Justin Herbert likes those kinds of players: all Allen did last season was set the franchise record for receptions in a single season.

McConkey is not a slot-exclusive receiver, however. Over 70% of his snaps came on the outside at Georgia despite his slight 5-foot-11 and 186-pound frame. But his release package and creative run-after-catch ability add an element the Chargers offense does not have after trading Allen and releasing Mike Williams this offseason.

So, the Chargers got a wide receiver after all. It was just a day later than some fans may have hoped.

Chargers trade up, pick WR Ladd McConkey with No. 34 overall selection

The Chargers addressed a major need with Ladd McConkey.

The Chargers traded up three spots with the Patriots and selected former Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey with the No. 34 overall pick.

At 6-foot and 186 pounds, McConkey is a high-quality wideout with great speed, route-running skills and solid hands.

McConkey finished his college career with 119 catches, 1,687 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. He was also useful as a runner, as he ran for 216 yards and four scores.

Touted as a first-round pick entering the event, McConkey fell out of it due to concerns with a back ailment. He dealt with back and ankle injuries this past season.

Los Angeles had a need at the wide receiver position after the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. McConkey should contribute right off the bat as long as he stays healthy.