Tag: Los Angeles Chargers new

7 Combine snubs that Chargers should keep on their radar

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lists seven Combine snubs that the Los Angeles Chargers could consider drafting.

337 NFL draft prospects were invited to the National Scouting Combine, which is scheduled for next week. The list consisted of players that were automatically pinned to get one, some surprises and quite a few that weren’t invited, leaving some scratching their heads.

Even though there are plenty of prospects that didn’t get the nod, it doesn’t mean that they won’t be getting drafted come April. Last year, 33 players didn’t attend, but still ended up being selected, including seventh-rounder defensive tackle Cortez Broughton.

The Chargers’ scouting department and front office have all been doing their homework since the start of August, so they are very familiar with all the talent out there.

With that being said, here are seven combine snubs who should be on the Bolts’ radar.

WR Jonathan Johnson, Missouri

Johnson, the big play-maker, averaged 18.1 yards per catch and 17.7 yards per catch as a freshman and sophomore, respectively, and finished his career with 14.3 yards per catch. Though he is undersized at 5-foot-8 and 179 pounds, he has elite quickness to separate, and he is an explosive athlete in space with the ball in his hands.

OG Kevin Dotson, Louisiana-Lafayette

Dotson, the AP first-team All American, has good toughness and is sufficient in sustaining blocks by showing exceptional power and hand placement, along with the foot quickness. He is a very strong finisher and regularly takes opponents to the ground through the whistle. We’ve highlighted his former teammate Robert Hunt as a potential option for the Chargers, but Dotson should be in strong consideration, too.

OT Darrin Paulo, Utah

Paulo, a three-year starter for the Utes, has good athletic traits and decent movement skills, but he needs refinement with his technique. Paulo would project best as a backup lineman at the next level, with experience on the blindside, but a skillset more suited for right tackle.

OT Jared Hilbers, Washington

Hilbers took over at left tackle when his former teammate and current NFL prospect Trey Adams had his season come to an end in 2018. He moved over to replace Falcons’ Kaleb McGary. Hilbers is a better run blocker, but he has a good, natural skillset and flashes of athletic pass protection. Like Paolo, he would be a solid depth option.

DT Bravvion Roy, Baylor

At 327 pounds, Roy is a massive human with eyebrow-raising quickness to wear down blockers. He was moved all up and down the line for the Bears, but he would be the ideal candidate to serve as a rotational nose tackle for the Chargers to help aide with clogging up the middle with his point-of-attack power.

CB DeMarkus Acy, Missouri

Acy was one of the betters corners in the SEC that wasn’t talked about, notching three interceptions and 20 passes defended. The 6-foot-2 and 215 pounder is long and rangy who has experience in a variety of coverages. His speed and play recognition are perfect traits for defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s zone scheme.

LB Tae Crowder, Georgia

Crowder didn’t start playing on the defensive side of the ball until 2017. But he has made an impact at the linebacker position since then. He isn’t the most explosive player, but he uses his quickness, football intelligence and coverage ability to make plays in pass defense, and his read and react abilities to make plays against the run. Crowder is a nice depth option with key special teams upside.

Poll: Which free agents should Chargers re-sign in 2020?

If you were the general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers, who would you re-sign this offseason?

The Los Angeles Chargers have a ton of impending free agents when the new league year begins in March. It’s unclear how many of these players the team will be able to keep, but they will have to be selective during the process.

Even though they have the most salary cap available that they’ve had in years, they need to make sure that they have enough to bring in unrestricted free agents from other teams.

There are several of these players that will likely get attention on the open market because of their success in the blue and gold. Some are already being considered as top free agents by analysts.

Three Chargers’ players were listed in ESPN’s top-50 free agents in 2020: tight end Hunter Henry quarterback Philip Rivers and running back Melvin Gordon. There are other notables including guard Michael Schofield, safety Adrian Phillips, fullback Derek Watt and defensive tackle Damion Square.

If the decision was up to you, which free agents would you have the Chargers re-sign in 2020?

While our poll only lists seven, you can find the full list of Chargers free agents below.

[polldaddy poll=10496738]

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Chargers injury update vs. Chiefs

A look at the Los Angeles Chargers injury report from the past two practices.

The Los Angeles Chargers had their second practice ahead of the season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Here is a look at Thursday’s injury report:

PLAYER POS. INJURY PART. WED. PART. THURS. PART. FRI. GAME STATUS
Russell Okung T Groin DNP DNP
Denzel Perryman LB Ankle LP FP
Philip Rivers QB Right Thumb LP FP
Justin Jackson RB Hamstring FP FP
Thomas Davis LB Not Injury Related — DNP

Offensive tackle Russell Okung has yet to practice this week, thus making the chance of him playing this weekend very slim. If he can’t go, rookie Trey Pipkins would likely get the start, but we could see Trent Scott sprinkled in here and there.

Here is a look at the Chiefs’ injury report:

PLAYER POS. INJURY PART. WED. PART. THURS. PART. FRI. GAME STATUS
Morris Claiborne CB Shoulder LP LP
Andrew Wylie G Ankle LP LP
Bashaud Breeland CB Shoulder FP FP
Harrison Butker K Glute FP FP
Rashad Fenton CB Hamstring FP FP
Austin Reiter C Wrist FP FP
Xavier Williams DT Ankle FP FP
Cam Erving OL Illness — DNP

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