Tag: Max Mitchell

11 potential Chargers targets who should turn heads at 2022 NFL Scouting Combine

Here is a look at a few players likely on the Chargers’ radar who should blow up the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.

The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine is set to begin.

This event is a useful tool for player evaluation, and some teams put more stock in it than others.

It is a big opportunity for prospects to showcase their athleticism and skill set through a series of tests, including the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, and on-field drills.

With that, I have compiled a list of 11 prospects Chargers fans must watch for in Indianapolis over the course of the next few days.

Below are the players to keep an eye on:

WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas

At Tom Telesco’s presser, he mentioned that one of the goals this offseason is to find more weapons for Justin Herbert. Should the Chargers look to check that off the checklist on Day 1, Burks is a polarizing option. Burks, the 6-foot-3 and 225 pounder proved to be a deadly weapon for the Hogs. He is a threat with the ball in his hands no matter the alignment and is set to show off his sheer combination of size, strength, and speed. Not only will he raise eyebrows in the positional drills, showing off his hands that require 4XL gloves, but look for him to run in the 4.4s and post a big number of reps on the bench press, having done 380 pounds, per The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman.

WR Chris Olave, Ohio State

If the Chargers want a receiver in the first round with a little bit different flavor than Burks, Olave could be that guy. Arguably one of the top route runners in this year’s class, Olave also has the top-end speed to win vertically. A track star at Mission Hills High School in San Marcos, CA, Olave reportedly hit 10.8 seconds in the 100-meter dash and it would not be surprising if he runs in the 4.3s in the 40-yard dash.

WR Calvin Austin, Memphis

Unlike Burks, Austin is an example of why size does not always matter. With a frame at just 5-foot-7 and 173 pounds, Austin is capable of having defensive backs compromise with quickness and savvy with his releases and top-end speed to generate large gaps of separation vertically. When the ball is in his hands, Austin is nearly always going to create positive plays. Austin won nine state titles on the track in high school and ran track in college for the Tigers. Look for that speed to stand out.

OT Max Mitchell, Louisiana

With Bryan Bulaga’s future with the Chargers up in the air, they could be looking for his replacement, or at least someone to compete for the starting job from Day 1. Mitchell led all FBS tackles with a 94.8 PFF grade, as he allowed only 13 pressures and three sacks this season while racking up the third-most big-time run blocks. With very good athletic ability and foot quickness to get to his spot to protect the edge and range when blocking at the second level, it should be replicative when Mitchell performs the positional drills.

DT Jordan Davis, Georgia

Now until the draft, Davis and the Chargers will be a popular pairing. While I’m a believer that they should wait until Day 2 to draft a nose tackle, the coaching staff may see the impact against the run that Davis could make right away, and the testing might be the ultimate selling point. His rare movement skills are evident on tape, and even at 350 pounds, there is a strong chance Davis could run under a five-second 40-yard dash.

DT Travis Jones, UConn

If the Chargers choose to pass up on Davis in Round 1, Jones brings just as much, if not, more value in Round 2. Jones’ power and heavy hand should not only show up when hitting the bags, but his testing should reflect it, as he benches 455 and has done 32 reps at 225 pounds. Further, Jones also has a shuttle time of 4.57. For reference, former Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown, a top-10 overall pick who was almost the exact same weight, ran it in 4.79 at the 2020 combine, per Feldman.

EGDE David Ojabo, Michigan

Should the Chargers add another pass rusher into the mix on Day 1, Ojabo is just the type of player Brandon Staley covets. Wreaking havoc opposite top-3 selection Aidan Hutchinson, Ojabo is long and flexible with explosiveness, lateral agility, and closing burst. Per Feldman, he is expected to run the 40 in the low 4.5s and vertical jump in the high 30s.

EDGE Dominique Robinson, Miami (Ohio)

Robinson was a high school quarterback and converted to wide receiver in college. He moved to pass rusher in 2020, finishing his collegiate career with 11.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. Robinson is an explosive, edge rusher with the bend, burst, and change of direction to be a disruptive force in opposing backfields. At Miami, he ran a 4.31 agility time and also has vertical jumped 34 inches, per Feldman. Look for him to run in the mid-4.6s.

CB Trent McDuffie & Kyler Gordon, Washington

McDuffie and Gordon are set to join a long list of NFL defensive backs that the Huskies have produced, and the Chargers should be watching closely, having a glaring need at the position. McDuffie’s body control and sweet feet will show up in the positional drills, while his explosive burst will translate to when he jumps. McDuffie has posted a 41.5-inch vertical and a 10-9.5 broad jump. Meanwhile, Gordon also has elite athletic traits and change of direction on the field, which should show up in testing, as he has vertical jumped 42.5 and clocked a pro agility time of 3.87 seconds.

S Nick Cross, Maryland

The Chargers will also be searching for players to fill out the safety group. The do-it-all ability of Cross, who finished with three interceptions, 66 tackles and three sacks, should garner their interest. But it’s the athletic traits that may be the ultimate selling point. A track star in high school and college, Cross posted times of 6.93 in the 60 meters and 22.27 in the 200 meters.

Colts’ 7-round mock draft pre NFL combine

With the NFL combine just over a week away, here’s a 7-round mock draft for the Colts.

The Indianapolis Colts are still a few months away from the 2022 NFL draft but throughout the entire offseason we’ll be looking at which prospects they might consider.

The Colts are without a first-round pick due to the Carson Wentz trade so general manager Chris Ballard will have to work his magic in order to continue improving the roster.

Since we haven’t even gotten to the NFL combine yet, a lot is going to change over the next few months. We’ll get more information and learn more about these prospects, but it’s still a good idea to run through some simulations.

Using The Draft Network’s mock draft machine, here’s a seven-round mock for the Colts:

Senior Bowl stock up report from first day of practice, sees Florida State’s Johnson shine

Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) dives into day 1 of practice from the Senior Bowl in Mobile and looks at the top performers while providing rep highlights.

The Senior Bowl is a storied event of the NFL offseason. It serves as a landscape for NFL teams and draft media alike to come together to evaluate some of the top seniors in the nation. This year is a very interesting year and a number of options for the Dallas Cowboys are in attendance.

In 2020 the Dallas Cowboys took 3 players who were in attendance including: Neville Gallimore, Reggie Robinson II and Bradlee Anae. Last year we saw the Cowboys take Osa Odighizuwa and Chauncey Golston. Recent trends suggest the Cowboys highly value their time down in Mobile especially in the mid rounds. This is a big week, especially for the QBs; and all Cowboys fans need to be hoping they have a fantastic week to push more good player down the board to them…the bad news, it’s not off to a good start for that position group. Outside of QBs,  who saw their stock rise after day 1 of practice? Lets take a look.

2022 Senior Bowl preview: Top prospects, biggest sleepers

To get you familiar with the Senior Bowl participants, here is a look at the top prospects and the ones who are flying under the radar.

The Senior Bowl is the biggest college football all-star game. This is the last game they will participate in before heading to the NFL Combine in February. It is also the last chance for league decision-makers to see prospects up close, going up against the best players in the country.

To get familiar with those partaking in the festivities in Mobile, AL, here is a look at the top prospects and the ones who are flying under the radar.

17 potential Chargers to watch during Senior Bowl week

Laying out a handful of players partaking in the Senior Bowl who could be on the Chargers’ radar.

The pre-draft process leading up to the 2022 NFL draft is headed to Mobile, AL, for the Senior Bowl. This event is one of the biggest college football all-star games that will feature the most prolific prospects in the country.

This week will draw the attention of many Chargers’ scouts, coach Brandon Staley, and general manager Tom Telesco to do their homework on players who could potentially be suitors for Los Angeles come April.

Last year this event brought in Josh Palmer, Tre’ McKitty, Brenden Jaimes, and Mark Webb. The year before that the team found Justin Herbert, Joshua Kelley, Alohi Gilman, and K.J. Hill.

It all starts with three days of practice and finally, the game on Saturday. I’ll be in attendance, constantly giving updates throughout the week.

With that being said, here are 17 players to keep an eye out for.

DT Phidarian Mathis, Alabama

The Chargers finished bottom of the league in run defense, which is why bolstering the interior part of the defensive line will be their top priority this offseason. Arguably one of the most impactful all-around interior defenders in the nation, Mathis amassed 53 total tackles, nine sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and two blocked passes in 2021. With his length, violent hands, lower-body strength, lateral agility, and ability to anchor, Mathis can create interior pressure just as well as he can defend the run at the next level, projecting as a lineman who has the tools to be a three-down starter from the get-go. — Gavino

DT Travis Jones, UConn

Jones was a dominant force dating back to his freshman year in 2018. UConn wasn’t able to play in 2020 due to COVID, but he returned in 2021 with top-tier play, especially against Clemson. At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, Jones is a wide-bodied player who is stout at the point of attack to take on double teams and anchor well. But he also possesses the length, acceleration, and twitchiness to rush the passer, as evidenced by 4.5 sacks last season. Nose tackles with the ability to generate pressure are rare, but Jones fits that mold. — Gavino

DT Neil Farrell Jr., LSU

Farrell played 48 games for the Tigers. He had 45 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks in 2021. His 24 run stops were fourth in the country. At 6-foot-4 and 325 pounds, Farrell is a big, powerful and tough nose tackle who has the lower body strength, burst, and violent hands to collapse the pocket and stop ball carriers at or behind the line of scrimmage. — Gavino

EDGE Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati

Whether or not the Chargers are planning on re-signing Uchenna Nwosu, they still need additional depth at the position. Sanders registered 119 total tackles (62 solo) and 13.5 sacks in four years as a Bearcat. He is an explosive athlete who possesses length and hand use to a physical set of tools combined with explosiveness and flexibility. — Gavino

EDGE Dominique Robinson, Miami (OH)

Robinson was a high school quarterback and converted to wide receiver in college. He moved to pass rusher in 2020, finishing his collegiate career with 11.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. At 6-foot-4 and 256 pounds, Robinson is an explosive, edge rusher with the bend, burst and change of direction to be a disruptive force in opposing backfields, but he needs to be better with his hand usage. — Gavino

LB Darrian Beavers, Cincinnati

Kyzir White’s future with the Chargers is up in the air. Drue Tranquill has struggled to consistently stay on the field. Kenneth Murray is coming off a rough season that was battered by an ankle injury and COVID-19. With that being said, linebacker depth is a must. A former safety, Beavers is a long linebacker who possesses read-and-react instincts, physicality, zone coverage awareness, tenacious tackling between the tackles, and blitzing ability. — Gavino

LB Troy Andersen, Montana State

Andersen played quarterback/fullback/running back before making the switch to linebacker. He finished with 137 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, two sacks, and two interceptions, including a pick-6. Andersen is a proven defender who possesses the zone awareness skills and speed to stay with slot receivers and tight ends, as well as the explosiveness to fit rush lanes and make tackles in space. — Gavino

OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa

With Bryan Bulaga a potential cut casualty, the Chargers could be in the market for his replacement early on in the draft. After dominating for the Panthers, Penning was the only lineman named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award this past season, awarded to the best offensive player at the FCS level. At 6-foot-7 and 340 pounds, Penning has awe-inspiring athleticism, movement skills to match, and a mauler’s mentality in the run game. After strictly facing small-school pass rushers, this will be a big test for the presumed first-rounder. — Gavino

OT Max Mitchell, Louisiana

If the Chargers wait until Day 2 to address the tackle position, Mitchell could be atop their board. Mitchell led all FBS tackles with a 94.8 PFF grade, as he allowed only 13 pressures and three sacks this season while racking up the third-most big-time run blocks. In addition, he never committed a penalty or missed an offensive snap. At 6-foot-5 and 299 pounds, Mitchell is a proficient and athletic tackle, with the positioning and footwork to mirror and match, great hand techniques and length to keep rushers at bay, and run-blocking consistency. — Gavino

RB Brian Robinson, Alabama

After sitting in the shadows of Josh Jacobs and Najee Harris, Brian Robinson finally received his chance to command Alabama’s backfield and did not disappoint the legacy of NFL starting talent. Robinson’s physical nature as a runner makes him a difficult task to tackle and he certainly packs a punch of his own at a prototypical size of 6’1” and 226 pounds. Robinson bulldozed his way to 1,343 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns last season, including a 204-yard performance against Cincinnati in the College Football Playoff semifinal. Pairing Robinson’s bruising running style with Austin Ekeler’s receiving talents would bolster the ground game and further balance the Chargers offensively. — Cole

WR Calvin Austin III, Memphis

It’s true that big things come in small packages and Calvin Austin is no exception. A former hometown walk-on standing 5’9” and weighing 162 pounds, Austin earned his scholarship on the Memphis football team through a strong work ethic and unwavering determination. A track star in addition to his football talents, Austin is one of the fastest players in the draft and knows how to manipulate his throttle to surge away from defenders. Austin is a precise route runner with an advanced release package that absolutely explodes off the line. He’s a hassle to bring down after the catch, too. — Cole

WR Khalil Shakir, Boise State

A consistent producer at Boise State over the last three seasons, Shakir brought his game to another level in 2021. The twitchy, deceptive route runner totaled 1,117 yards and 7 touchdowns as a first-team All-Mountain West honoree. Shakir dominates the catch point with sure hands and prime body control. Boise State maximized Shakir’s overall presence in the offense too, frequently deploying him on end-arounds and creating mismatches against smaller opponents in the slot. — Cole

WR Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama

This is familiar territory for Tolbert, who grew up and spent in college football career entirely in Mobile. Don’t let the small school reputation fool you, because Tolbert recorded the second-most average yards after the catch per reception at 7.1 per clip, only trailing the aforementioned Austin. Back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns with eight touchdowns in each season are more than enough production for Tolbert to draw considerable NFL interest. With a gargantuan catch radius and experience playing all three receiver positions, Tolbert is a tantalizing diamond in the rough. — Cole

TE Greg Dulcich, UCLA

The Chargers, like most of the NFL, are in desperate need of top-tier receiving talent at the tight end position. With Jared Cook on the way out, the position will most certainly be addressed in the offseason. Greg Dulcich flashed at the Rose Bowl only a few miles away as an athletic mismatch for Pac-12 defenses. A converted wide receiver, Dulcich is still relatively new to moving with the offensive line and getting comfortable as a blocker. However, the ideal combination of size, speed, and soft hands make for a convincing addition to Justin Herbert’s arsenal of playmakers. — Cole

CB Roger McCreary, Auburn

With several trait-dominant cornerbacks headlining this year’s class, McCreary has fallen under the radar as a well-rounded prospect at the position. McCreary traverses the field easily, is proficient in both man and zone coverage, and evaporates separation with elite closing burst. He has the quickness to play both inside and outside. McCreary was not flawless, but he made plays on the ball more often than not. He recorded six picks and 30 pass breakups over his career at Auburn. — Cole

CB Mario Goodrich, Clemson

After Clemson lost Derion Kendrick to the transfer portal, Dabo Swinney opted for an in-house promotion to fill the vacant outside cornerback position. Goodrich all but matched his teammate Andrew Booth Jr. in lockdown play, earning first-team All ACC accolades in his first season as a starter. Goodrich displays an appetite to compete in every aspect of the position, channeling the same aggressiveness he displays sticking to receivers in coverage into punishing hits when supporting the run. He should see his stock rise significantly after his time in Mobile is complete. — Cole

S Jalen Pitre, Baylor

Pitre is listed as a safety, but the title is merely a formality. In reality, Pitre’s true role is a hybrid defender with the range to prevent the deep ball, movement toolbox to stick with faster underneath threats, and physicality to break through blocks to lay the boom on ball carriers. Pitre’s effortless change of direction and explosion are desirable attributes for a box defender, even if he could stand to add more bulk. He still has strides to take as a pure man coverage agent, so Pitre will have to be used strategically as his true position at the next level reveals itself. — Cole

2022 NFL mock draft: Chargers’ three-round projections after Wild Card weekend

The Chargers address the cornerback, defensive tackle and right tackle position in the latest three-round projections.

The NFL Playoffs kicked off with Wild Card weekend.

Amid the three days of games, the Chargers remained hard at work with their evaluations on prospects that they believe will help get them into the postseason next year.

As the offseason preparations continue, here’s an updated look at how the first three rounds of the 2022 NFL draft could shake out for Los Angeles.

Round 1, CB Andrew Booth, Clemson

Fans are hoping for one player to be here when the Chargers select at No. 17, and that’s Georgia DT Jordan Davis. While likely to be a popular pairing until April, I go a different direction to address another need.

With Chris Harris Jr.’s time in the blue and gold likely coming to an end, Los Angeles will need to find a starter to play alongside Michael Davis and Asante Samuel Jr.

Starting for the Tigers the past two seasons, Booth finished with 68 tackles, nine passes defended, one sack and five interceptions. In 2021, he allowed just 29 receptions for 312 yards on 46 targets.

At 6-foot and 195 pounds, Booth is a long and speedy corner with excellent reactive athleticism, coverage ability, both in man and zone and the physicality to come down and make plays in the screen and run game.

Round 2, DT Phidarian Mathis, Alabama

A defensive tackle, alas!

I believe the Chargers will sign two free agents, not including their own, and look at the draft to pick up two or three more, and it starts here with one of my favorite players I’ve studied up to this point.

Arguably one of the most impactful all-around interior defenders, Mathis amassed 53 total tackles nine sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and two blocked passes.

Possessing a quick first step to get off the line of scrimmage, Mathis has sweet feet to force offensive linemen to lunge, leverage, and a powerful upper body and violent hands to defeat blocks.

Against the run, Mathis exhibits the ability to anchor and split double teams, rarely gets pushed off his spot, and has good range and lateral mobility from inside the tackle box.

Round 3, OT Max Mitchell, Louisiana

Everyone across the nation noticed Storm Norton in the Chargers’ final game of the season against the Raiders as Maxx Crosby terrorized him. That is why they need to address the position, and part of the plans shouldn’t be holding hope that Bryan Bulaga will stay healthy for a full 17-game slate.

Mitchell led all FBS tackles with a 94.8 PFF grade, as the 6-foot-6, 303-pound tackle allowed only 13 pressures and three sacks this season while racking up the third-most big-time run blocks. In addition, he never committed a penalty or missed an offensive snap.

Mitchell is a proficient and athletic right tackle, with the positioning and footwork to mirror and match, great hand techniques and length to keep rushers at bay, and run-blocking consistency but will need to continue to develop his play strength.

Two-Round Tuesday: Chargers address CB, OT in latest mock draft

The Chargers address both sides of the ball in the latest two-round 2022 NFL mock draft.

Sitting at 8-6, the Chargers are on the verge of making the playoffs. Therefore, it would not be surprising if the offseason is the last thing on fans’ minds.

Nonetheless, it is bound to creep up before you know it, which means the roster reconstruction will be in full effect.

Until then, I am going to introduce prospects that general manager Tom Telesco could look to draft next April.

With that being said, here is my latest two-round projection that sees the Bolts take a cornerback and right tackle.