Tag: East/West Shrine Bowl

Chargers 2023 NFL draft target: Maryland WR Jacob Copeland

Putting Maryland WR Jacob Copeland under a microscope to highlight his strengths, weaknesses and fit with the Chargers.

Over the next couple of months, we are going to be taking a look at a handful of draft prospects leading up to the 2023 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.

Here is a report on a potential target, Maryland wide receiver Jacob Copeland.

Height: 6-0

Weight: 202 pounds

Class: Fifth-year senior

Hometown: Pensacola, FL

Career: Transferred to Maryland after four seasons at Florida. Former four-star wideout and No. 14 rated player in the state of Florida. Collected 112 catches, 1,742 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns in 40 career games. 

Strengths: Thick, physical football player who isn’t afraid to use his big pads offensively. Experience at all three receiver spots. Dodges press contact with firm arm wipes and subtle dodges. Has demonstrated knowledge of the right releases to use when he predicts the cornerback’s strategy. Sells the vertical route well off the line. Straight-line speed can get behind the secondary quickly. Change of direction skills are impressive for his build. Showcases good positioning working back to the football. Quick transition from catch to ball carrier. Keeps feet moving when hit. Makes tackling a chore for single defenders, usually requiring an assist to bring him down. 

Weaknesses: Lacks the countermeasures to ensnare himself from downfield contact. Difficult to get going in short spaces. YAC production is slim and one-dimensional. Would rather lower his head into contact than try to avoid it. Inconsistent attacking the ball on deep throws.

Final Word: A consistent starter at Florida who fought for targets in a stacked Maryland receiving corps, Jacob Copeland is an intriguing mixture of size and speed whose explosive plays suggest qualities of a dynamic flanker receiver. He already has the body of an NFL wideout, and there are raw traits that can be refined. Copeland is best when he can win the route at the line, but he has a ways to go in creating regular separation when he’s hip-to-hip. 

Fit Likelihood: Medium

Grade: 6-7th round

Film Highlights

Chargers 2023 NFL draft target: Boston College WR Zay Flowers

Putting Boston College WR Zay Flowers under a microscope to highlight his strengths, weaknesses and fit with the Chargers.

Over the next couple of months, we are going to be taking a look at a handful of draft prospects leading up to the 2023 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.

Here is a report on a potential target, Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers.

Height: 5-10

Weight: 172 pounds

Class: Senior

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL

Career: Earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2022. Set Boston College single-season record for receiving touchdowns with 12 scores. Played in 47 games for the Eagles, recording 200 catches, 3,056 receiving yards, and 29 touchdowns.

Strengths: Frequently schemed the ball because of his run-after-catch ability. Led the ACC with 503 yards after catch. Speed release has some sudden kick to it. Accelerates to high gear quickly and makes defenders strain. Overachieves in the quick passing game with short-area separation. Punishes ankle tacklers with twitchy open-field movement. Knows where to take the ball before the defense converges. Has brought down some tough contested catches against bigger opponents. Extra dangerous on routes stemming from pre-snap motion. 

Weaknesses: Size profiles as a slot-only option. Possesses the ability to stretch the field but big plays through the air was not the main feature of his game. Needs significant extension to reel in off-target throws. Frequently catches throws with his body.

Final Word: Zay Flowers will not be a favorite for every team, but he can be lightning in a bottle with the ball in his hands. His size might restrict him to the slot full-time, but Flowers can excel there with his athleticism and judgment of the field. The more space Flowers has to work with, the better the results.

Fit Likelihood: High

Grade: 2nd

Film Highlights

2023 NFL draft: 10 potential Chargers targets to watch at East-West Shrine Bowl

The Chargers have used the East-West Shrine Bowl to find some of their players in recent years.

The annual East-West Shrine practices begin on Saturday ahead of the all-star game on Thursday, February 2nd, at 5:30 PM PT on NFL Network.

This showcase will feature several prospects the Chargers should have on their radar in the 2023 NFL draft.

In 2022, Tom Telesco selected two players that played in the game – Ja’Sir Taylor and Zander Horvath. Additional alumni include Trey Pipkins, Easton Stick, Cortez Broughton, and Justin Jackson.

With that, here are ten players the Bolts could be targeting:

10 NFL draft prospects for Chargers fans to watch during East-West Shrine Bowl week

A look at 10 NFL draft prospects that the Chargers could be targeting at the East-West Shrine Bowl.

The annual East-West Shrine practices began today ahead of the all-star game on Thursday, February 3rd at 8 PM on NFL Network.

This showcase will feature several prospects that the Chargers should on their radar in the 2022 NFL draft.

In 2020, Tom Telesco selected three players – Trey Pipkins, Easton Stick, Cortez Broughton – that played in the game. The year before that, he took Justin Jackson, another alumn.

With that, here are 10 players that the Bolts could be targeting:

CB Jack Jones, Arizona State

A top recruit who started his collegiate career at USC, Jones went on to transfer and play for Herm Edwards where he finished with 92 total tackles, 26 passes defended, six interceptions, and four forced fumbles in three seasons. While he may not be the most imposing at 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, Jones compensates with fluid athleticism, playmaking instincts, and the scrappy temperament against the run.

OT Jaxson Kirkland, Washington

Kirkland accomplished a tremendous amount with the Huskies — named the team’s offensive lineman of the year as a sophomore in 2019 and first-team All-Pac-12 the next two years. Kirkland started all 39 games he appeared in over four seasons, starting at right guard before making the transition to left tackle. He is a quick, reactive athlete that possesses footwork, lateral-movement skills, body control, and versatility to play inside or outside at the next level.

WR Charleston Rambo, Miami

Rambo began his career at Oklahoma, reeling in passes from Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts before transferring to play with the Hurricanes. He caught 79 passes for 1,172 yards and seven touchdowns. Rambo has the hands-catching ability and speed to take a short pass into a long gain or become a vertical threat by taking the top off the defense.

DT Matthew Butler, Tennessee

Playing 52 games and starting 25 of them, Butler had a career-high 47 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, five sacks, and seven quarterback hurries in 2021. Butler has great proportional length and power with explosive get-off and the ability to disrupt plays through penetration, athleticism, and technique.

EDGE Jeffrey Gunter, Coastal Carolina

Gunter finished his collegiate career with 38.5 tackles for loss and 17 sacks. Further, he had nine career forced fumbles. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, Gunter has a combination of speed, power, and length usage to create consistent pressure on the quarterback and impact the run by setting a strong edge.

OL Zachary Thomas, San Diego State

Thomas was a three-year starter for the Aztecs at left and right tackle. At his best as a run-blocker, Thomas had a 90.1 grade on that front in 2020, fourth-best among FBS tackles, and an 89.6 grade in 2021. He shows functional athleticism, quality strength/leverage, excellent balance, and a high level of intelligence as far as picking up stunts/blitzes goes.

DB Elijah Hicks, California

Hicks shared the Pac-12 lead with four forced fumbles, was the Bears’ leader with a career-best three interceptions, and was second on the team with 72 tackles in 2021. Starting 46 games, he played cornerback effectively for his first three seasons at Cal before being moved to safety for his final two seasons. Hicks plays with good reactive athleticism, ball skills, physicality in the run game, and the ability to reliably tackle in the open field.

DL Eyioma Uwazurike, Iowa State

Uwazurike, a first All-Big 12 First Team selection in 2021, ranked fourth in the conference in sacks (9) and set a career-high in tackles (42) and tackles for loss (12.5). At 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds, Uwazurike is a long and athletic lineman with alignment versatility, pass rush skill, pocket disruption and stack-and-shed ability.

DT Thomas Booker, Stanford

During his career with the Cardinals, Booker accumulated 89 solo tackles, 70 assisted tackles, 20.5 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks, and an interception. At 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, Booker possesses the first step and short-area quickness to get into the backfield and arm length to press, leverage and maintain his gap in the run game. He is an ideal 4i-technique in Brandon Staley’s defense.

WR Tyquan Thornton, Baylor

Thornton finished the 2021 season as the Bears’ leading receiver with 62 catches for 948 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has impressive movement skills, natural hands, good vertical speed and run-after-catch ability to contribute at the next level.

2022 NFL offseason: Important dates for Chargers

Here are some important dates for Chargers fans to keep an eye on in the coming weeks and months.

After finishing 9-8 and falling just short of the playoffs, the Chargers are now in full offseason mode.

With that, here are some important dates for Chargers fans to keep an eye on in the coming weeks and months.

January

  • Jan. 22: NFLPA Collegiate Bowl (Pasadena, CA)
  • Jan. 28: HBCU Combine (Mobile, AL)

February

  • Feb. 3: East-West Shrine Bowl (Las Vegas, NV)
  • Feb. 5: Senior Bowl (Mobile, AL)
  • Feb. 6: Pro Bowl (Las Vegas, NV)
  • Feb. 19: HBCU Legacy Bowl (New Orleans, LA)

March

  • March 1-7: NFL Scouting Combine (Indianapolis, IN)
  • March 8: The deadline for teams to designate franchise or transition tag players
  • March 14-16: Teams are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents
  • March 16: At 1 p.m. PT, the 2022 league year and free agency begin; trades can be executed
  • March 27-30: Annual League Meeting (Palm Beach, FL)

April

  • April 18: Teams with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs
  • April 22: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
  • April 27: Deadline to time, test and interview draft-eligible players
  • April 28-30: NFL Draft (Las Vegas, NV)

6 Shrine Bowl prospects who would be great fits for the Dolphins

Yesterday marked the end of the 2020 East/West Shrine Bowl. The Dolphins would be wise to target these players from the game.

The first of the NFL’s premiere all-star events is in the books — the East/West Shrine Bowl was played yesterday on NFL Network. And unlike many exhibition games, this contest did not disappoint! The East squad pulled out a 31-27 victory, providing a plethora of players with a showcase of their skills.

Not everyone thrived, but there are certainly a number of draft prospects who caught the eye of the Miami Dolphins — and the team would be wise to target in the late rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Here are the top 8 prospect fits from this past week’s Shrine Bowl for the Dolphins:

OL Michael Onwenu, Michigan

Onwneu is a massive man — he checked in this week at the weigh ins at a whopping 362 pounds. But don’t let that size fool you, he’s fluid and with long arms is a persistent puncher to maintain space as a blocker. Onwenu was largely considered one of the winners of the week.

WR Binjimen Victor, Ohio State

The Dolphins offense already has plenty of size at wide receiver but Victor brings pretty sharp route running skills to compliment his 6-foot-4 frame. Never really given the chance to shine at Ohio State due to depth at wide receiver, Victor is about as slept on as you can be for a prospect from a national championship contender. He’s a good football player, first and foremost.

CB Nevelle Clarke, UCF

The Dolphins covet passion for the game and you’ll have a hard time finding someone who had more fun on the field this past week than Clarke. A long, productive corner with a nose for the football, Clarke would provide Miami with positive energy and a much needed boost to their lean cornerback room.

DE Alex Highsmith, Charlotte

Highsmith is the rare Shrine prospect who may get drafted in the top-75 to 100 picks. So if Miami wants to target him, they’re going to have to take him at 56, 70 or manufacture more picks. Either way — Highsmith is an explosive athlete off the edge who found himself at Charlotte as a late bloomer. There’s no questioning his fit for the pros now, though.

DE Kendall Coleman, Syracuse

Coleman is a little one dimensional as a pass rusher but had a strong showing throughout the course of this past week at Tropicana Field. Miami’s needs on the edge will require a lot more than just one added body — and Coleman figures to be in play in the third day of this year’s draft as a developmental pass rusher. He’s got the quickness on the edge to beat tackles at first contact.

RB James Robinson, Illinois State

The Dolphins need someone who isn’t afraid to run with a little attitude in their backfield. Robinson fits that bill quite well. A condensed runner with over 220 pounds on his frame, Robinson has rumbled for over 3,000 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns at Illinois State over the past two seasons. Robinson was one of the stars of yesterday’s Shrine Bowl and helped his stock as much as anyone who played.

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