Tag: Day 2 draft grades

Grading Chargers’ Day 2 picks in 2023 NFL draft

Here is what we thought of the Chargers’ selections of Tuli Tuipulotu and Daiyan Henley.

After addressing the offense with wide receiver Quentin Johnston with the No. 21 overall selection, the Chargers switched gears and stacked deck on the defensive side of the ball on Day 2.

With their second-round pick, Los Angeles selected former USC edge defender Tuli Tuipulotu.

The Bolts needed to add depth behind Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, and they did so by bringing in one of the most productive pass-rushers at the position last season.

Tuipulotu was a force for the Trojans in 2022 with 13.5 sacks (second-best in the nation), 37 quarterback hurries and 22 tackles for loss.

When rushing the passer, Tuipulotu has the upfield explosion, heavy and determined hands, lateral agility and rush instincts to avoid blockers and change gaps as well as the strength and effort to impact the run game.

Projecting as their third edge defender this upcoming season, Tuipulotu can stand up and rush from the outside and reduce inside as a five-technique and be a mismatch against guards, similar to Bosa. By Year 2 or 3, he could end up being a solid starter

Grade: A

In the third round, the Chargers took one of my favorite players in this draft, selecting former Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley.

After letting Drue Tranquill walk in free agency, Los Angeles needed depth behind starters Eric Kendricks and Kenneth Murray. The addition of Henley not only bolsters the position but supplies the room with a player in the same mold as Tranquill.

Henley is a complete player with excellent speed and range, good vision to play through blocks, an understanding of pass concepts that allows him to excel in coverage, burst and aggression as a blitzer and plenty of special teams experience.

A wide receiver and defensive back convert, Henley’s only been playing the position for three years, so he needs to refine the little details of the position. But he has the necessary traits and makeup to become a starter for the Bolts in his second season, especially after the presumed departure of Murray, who is a free agent after the upcoming season.

Grade: A

2020 NFL Draft: Full team grades through 3 rounds

Breaking down every pick through the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft, with complete grades for every team

We’re three rounds into the 2020 NFL Draft, and just like every other year, many teams are making their fans feel emotions at either end of the spectrum following their early picks.

Now that all 32 teams have had the chance to make at least one selection, it’s time to take stock of what each of them have done so far in this year’s draft.

Here are our team grades through the first three rounds:

Arizona Cardinals

Getting the No. 3 overall player in the draft at No. 8 overall is a fantastic start to any class, and that’s what the Cardinals did when they landed Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons in the first round. He’s a rare talent with the ability to play at all three levels of the defense, and he was a steal at that spot.

The Cards got another huge bargain with their next selection, landing an offensive tackle prospect in Houston’s Josh Jones that many had pegged as a late first-rounder. He gives Kyler Murray added protection, and was one of the biggest steals of Day 2.

Throw in the fact that they basically spent their second-round pick on arguably the best wide receiver in football thanks to the DeAndre Hopkins trade, and this draft is a huge win so far for Arizona.

GRADE: A

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