Tag: Scott Matlock

Brandon Staley’s message to Chargers rookies: ‘There’s a lot of learning to do’

Brandon Staley is focused on getting his first-year players acclimated to life in the NFL.

The Chargers will rely on their veterans to help lift the team to a playoff victory next season. But they are also banking on the contributions from their 2023 draft class too.

Head coach Brandon Staley had a clear message for the team’s first-year players at rookie minicamp last week.

In speaking to reporters, Staley made clear that the development of knowledge and familiarization with the team’s schemes would be a top priority during this phase of the offseason program.

“There’s a lot of learning to do, so everything you’re doing this weekend, you’re doing something for the first time,” He explained. “Just learn as much as you can, work as hard as you can. We’re just going to try and make this a big-time teaching camp for them so that when they get started with the veterans on Monday, they feel like, ‘Hey, I’m one of us.'”

As the Chargers’ rookies continue picking up what the coaches put in front of them this week, fans can expect that the team will get a clearer idea of who might be ready to contribute right away and who might need some time to get comfortable.

Staley and his staff are getting their first look at their newest crop of talent firsthand, and incremental progress is their goal at this juncture.

Chargers lock up six rookies to contracts, one remains unsigned

The Chargers officially signed six members of their 2023 NFL draft class to four-year contracts.

The Chargers officially signed six members of their 2023 NFL draft class to four-year contracts Friday.

Wide receivers Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis, linebacker Daiyan Henley, offensive lineman Jordan McFadden, defensive tackle Scott Matlock and quarterback Max Duggan inked their rookie deals.

The only player that remains unsigned is edge defender Tuli Tuipulotu.

Coaches got to see their draftees at work today, as Los Angeles began its rookie minicamp at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA.

Highlights from Day 1 of Chargers rookie minicamp

The Chargers rookies, including first-round pick Quentin Johnston took the field.

Friday marked the first day of Chargers rookie minicamp, which was highlighted by first-round pick Quentin Johnston.

The event will run through the next two days and end on May 14.

This feature will include a collection of tweets from team reporters from the session.

Read on to see a collection of the highlights and top tweets from the Bolts reporters in attendance.

2023 NFL Draft: The best draft steal for every NFL team

Every NFL draft has its selection of steals — those players who could surprise despite their low selections — and here’s one for every NFL team.

One of the many reasons the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII was the job that general manager Brett Veach did outside of the first round of the 2022 draft. Three defensive backs (Bryan Cook in the second round, Joshua Williams in the fourth, and Jaylen Watson in the seventh) were difference-makers all season, and seventh-round running back Isiah Pacheco became the team’s bellcow back down the stretch. Also, second-round receiver Skyy Moore joined Pacheco with touchdowns in that Super Bowl victory over the Eagles.

First-round hits are nice, but it’s almost worse to miss in the first round than it is better to win there from an opportunity cost perspective. If you want to refresh your roster at a championship level, you had better get those picks right on the second and third day. Veach and his staff did that, and it was the difference that made all the difference in the end.

Moving to the 2023 NFL draft, we’ve selected one second- or third-day pick for every NFL team who could have a similar impact on their NFL roaters sooner than mater. Each of these players have reasons for their relatively low picks in line with their tape, stats, and talent, but these are the kinds of finds that can turn a team around over time.

Where each of the Chargers’ draft picks ranked on pre-draft big boards

Looking at the Chargers’ selections and seeing how they stacked up with other draft analysts’ big boards.

Analysts and fans are justifying the team’s picks based on value throughout the draft. Did they get a steal? Was it about right? Did they reach?

So we will look at the Chargers’ selections and how they stacked up with other draft analysts’ big boards.

Draft Wire: Top 150

Pro Football Focus: Top 200

Daniel Jeremiah: Top 150

CBS Sports: NFL Draft Prospect Rankings

The Athletic: Top 300

Todd McShay: Top 350

Mel Kiper Jr: Top 150

2023 NFL draft: Chargers announce rookie jersey numbers

The Los Angeles Chargers rookies have their jersey numbers set in stone.

The Chargers announced the jersey numbers for their 2023 rookie class on Thursday.

Here’s a look at the first-year players and the numbers they will be sporting:

  • WR Quentin Johnston – 1
  • EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu – 45
  • LB Daiyan Henley – 0
  • WR Derius Davis – 12
  • OL Jordan McFadden – 71
  • DL Scott Matlock – 99
  • QB Max Duggan – 8

1 stat to know about each of Chargers’ draft picks

These numbers should make Chargers fans more intrigued about the incoming rookie class.

The Chargers came away with an impressive haul of draft picks last weekend.

We picked out one stat to know about each of Los Angeles’ draft picks from their collegiate career. These numbers should make supporters feel even more intrigued about the incoming rookie class.

5 takeaways from the Chargers’ 2023 draft class

Here are some final thoughts on the Los Angeles Chargers’ haul in the 2023 NFL draft.

General manager Tom Telesco, head coach Brandon Staley and company knew that the 2023 NFL draft was a crucial part of their roster reconstruction after a steady approach in free agency.

For the most part, they accomplished that by landing impactful players and some that should be key pieces of the team down the road.

With that, here are five takeaways from Los Angeles’ haul.

Chargers’ 2023 draft class: All 7 players selected by Los Angeles

Meet the Los Angeles Chargers’ 2023 NFL draft class.

The Chargers completed the 2023 NFL draft with seven selections in total, four on offense and three on defense.

Los Angeles opened up the draft in the first round (No. 21) with wide receiver Quentin Johnston and closed it out in the seventh round (No. 239) with quarterback Max Duggan.

Here’s a look at every player the Bolts drafted and the spot where they were taken.

2023 NFL draft: Watch highlights of new Chargers DL Scott Matlock

Get familiar with the newest member of the Chargers, Scott Matlock.

The Los Angeles Chargers continued to stockpile defensive talent by taking

The Chargers needed to continue beefing up their defensive line with low-cost selections in the draft, and Matlock should factor into their depth chart through training camp and the preseason.

Check out some of his best plays as a member of the Boise State football program below to get acquainted with his skillset ahead of the 2023 season: