Tag: Deane Leonard Chargers

Rookie CB Deane Leonard flashes on first day of Chargers training camp

Deane Leonard is looking to play his way into one of the cornerback spots on the Chargers’ 53-man roster.

It wasn’t just J.C. Jackson, who was the newest member of the Chargers’ secondary to stand out on the first day of training camp.

Deane Leonard, the seventh-round pick out of Ole Miss, raised some eyebrows during the team drills.

On two plays in coverage against wide receiver Jalen Guyton, Leonard deflected both passes thrown his direction.

Wednesday’s performance was a replica of his mandatory minicamp, as Leonard also got his hands on a few passes during that period.

Head coach Brandon Staley talked about how important it was to add cornerback depth this offseason, which he accomplished with Leonard and sixth-rounder Ja’Sir Taylor.

In one of the most heated position battles of the summer, Leonard and Taylor will be vying for one of the spots on the bottom of the depth chart with returners Tevaughn Campbell and Kemon Hall.

Leonard spent two seasons at the University of Calgary, where he had 47 tackles, one sack, and six interceptions in 23 games. He then transferred to Ole Miss, where he logged 62 tackles and seven pass deflections.

What CB Deane Leonard brings to the Chargers

Breaking down what the Los Angeles Chargers are getting with cornerback Deane Leonard.

The Los Angeles Chargers recently inked cornerback Deane Leonard, their seventh-round selection at the 236th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, to a four-year deal worth $3.66 million.

Few players will have a more unconventional route to the pros than Leonard, who began his career with the Calgary Stampeders in his native Canada. He became a first-team All-Canadian in 2019 after notching 22 tackles, eight pass breakups, and four interceptions.

From there, Leonard set his sights on playing college football in the United States and wound up at Ole Miss before the start of fall camp in 2020. This resulted in an uneven junior season with only 14 tackles as Leonard got integrated with the Rebels, but he flashed good ball skills with four breakups. 

In 2021, Leonard saw consistent playing time in an Ole Miss system that frequently utilizes six defensive backs to prevent long plays from developing. Leonard started 11 games and racked up 50 tackles (30 of which were solo takedowns) and eight pass breakups. 

In a stacked class of premier defensive backs, Leonard’s name struggled to rise to the surface. However, a solid pro day showed promise for the expansion of his skills at the next level. Leonard ran a 4.39 40-yard dash and put up 14 reps in the bench press. His measurements at 6-1 and 194 pounds are a sturdy build to play outside cornerback.

Leonard’s tape demonstrates a dependable coverage piece and asset in the run game. His tackling form and aggressiveness are prominent and does not let ball carriers drag him for extra yards. He wraps up well and rarely whiffs on his approach.

In man coverage, Leonard mirrors routes well and is able to keep pace through breaks and route running nuance. Leonard’s feet are quick and responsive, which allows for an abrupt closing burst to underneath routes. Deeper down the field, Leonard is often able to turn his head to look over his shoulder for the ball to track the trajectory and time his leaps. Leonard’s biggest area of weakness in man is his functional strength in press coverage. His hand strikes barely affect the progress of the route, so receivers can simply power through him to their desired destination.

In zone coverage, Leonard has keen reactions to the developments of the play. He keeps the action in front of him and doesn’t guess about the offense’s plan of attack. Leonard’s eyes can get him in trouble when watching the quarterback, which can lead to some late recoveries. However, Leonard’s athleticism can bail him out of those situations and help reel in the size of throwing windows when they appear.

Ever since Brandon Staley took over, the Chargers have been in the market for athleticism. Leonard, while far from seasoned, has exceptional movement skills and jets to the ball. On top of that, he is a sound tackler and has experience on special teams. However, Leonard can afford to gain a bit of weight and improve his decision-making as well as discipline in coverage.

Ultimately, Staley has found another twitchy defender whose intangible speed and quickness can mask his areas of growth.

Analysis of Chargers’ pick of Deane Leonard with No. 236 overall selection

What the selection of Deane Leonard means for the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Chargers have gone north of the border for their latest pick, selecting Canadian DB Deane Leonard from Ole Miss with the No. 236 overall selection.

Leonard spent two seasons at the University of Calgary, where he had 47 tackles, one sack, and six interceptions in 23 games. He then transferred to Mississippi, where he logged 62 tackles and seven pass deflections in 18 career games.

This is a pure upside pick for Los Angeles, who are betting on Leonard’s elite 4.39 speed and good size at corner as developmental touchstones. Despite playing in 41 games over four seasons, Leonard is a raw player who will benefit from additional seasons of professional coaching and strength and conditioning. There’s reason for optimism: Leonard had 48 tackles in 2021 after an entire offseason in an SEC lifting program, more than he had in his entire career in Calgary.

Leonard’s instincts will need fine-tuning, as he failed to log an interception during his time as a Rebel. However, his technique is more polished than you’d expect from a seventh-round pick – I like how he flips his hips, and his footwork is mostly clean. He’s likely a practice squad stash candidate while the coaching staff works with him to develop his game further.