The Chargers are not only in search of secondary help, they’re seeking special teams competency in this year’s draft.
A way that Los Angeles can kill two birds with one stone is considering former Central Arkansas cornerback Robert Rochell with one of their selections.
Rochell was named a first-team All-Southland Conference selection, as well as a first-team All-American selection during his final season, finishing with 10 interceptions and 38 passes defensed over the course of his career.
Standing at 5-foot-11 and 198 pounds, Rochell boasts elite athletic traits, having posted a 4.45 40-yard dash, 43-inch vertical, 140-inch broad jump, 4.08 short shuttle and 6.83 three-cone.
As predicted @UCA_Football CB Robert Rochell is crushing his pro-day. 43.0 VJ and 11-1 BJ. Can’t wait to see the 40! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/6JzgUdzF49
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 18, 2021
Rochell checks a lot of boxes: speed, ball skills, length, fluid mirroring skills, and toughness against the run. He has shown to be most comfortable in man coverage, using his long arms and physicality to jam at the line of scrimmage and speed to stay glued to receivers downfield.
Coming in as a 160-pound wide receiver, he’s still in need of refinement with his technique. But with proper coaching from defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley, he has the physical tools and traits to turn into a starting cornerback who offers inside/out flexibility.
Robert Rochell (@scootaa11) might end up being the first FCS player drafted. Really long arms and has great speed for his size. Also love how he is a fighter and is a willing tackler. A true shutdown CB, who has all the tools to succeed in the NFL. #NFLDraft #DraftTwitter pic.twitter.com/FmIE7QsS8r
— Jack Borowsky (@Jack_Borowsky) May 31, 2020
Where Rochell will make the majority of his money early on in his career is on special teams.
In college, he was one of the nation’s best gunners, and knowing that the Chargers struggled to find proficiency in coverage, he would be an upgrade due to his speed and ability to accelerate down the field, as well as his open-field tackling skills.
Rochell projects as a fifth- sixth-round selection, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him go late third, early fourth-round after he tested at his Pro Day.