Los Angeles Chargers Rookies Forecast

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell

Solid Starter

Justin Jones, DT, N.C. State – Round 3
Entering the offseason, defensive tackle was one of the needs on the Chargers roster. Corey Liuget has been a declining player over the past few seasons, while Brandon Mebane has gotten old. The team needs some young talent to go on the inside of their excellent edge rushers. Jones has experience playing with dynamic ends, and he could quickly become a quality starter for the Chargers.

Jones played well for N.C. State in 2017, showing some quickness at the point of attack to fire into the backfield and cause disruption. He also rushed the passer pretty well for an interior lineman. Jones had 2.5 sacks, 34 tackles and 8.5 tackles for a loss as a senior. The 6-foot-2, 311-pounder has some strength at the point of attack and also is quick to fire a gap.

Given his size and quickness, Jones could play some three-technique or nose tackle in a 4-3 defense like the Chargers’. With Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram drawing all the attention, Jones should face plenty of one-on-one blocking opportunities. After some time to get acclimated to the NFL, I think Jones could emerge as a quality starter for Los Angeles.

2017: Forrest Lamp, G
2016: Hunter Henry, TE
2015: Denzel Perryman, LB
2014: Jason Verrett, CB
2013: Manti Te’o, LB

Most Likely To Bust

Uchenna Nwosu, OLB, USC – Round 2
I like Nwosu as a player. He has a nose for the quarterback with good play recognition, instincts, and quickness off the edge. However, I think he would be a much better fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker rather than playing in a 4-3 defense.

Gus Bradley will probably use Nwosu as a Leo linebacker who also contributes as a pass-rusher. The 6-foot-2, 251-pounder played defensive end in college, but he will have to transition to linebacker in the NFL. Sources at a few teams have said they think it is much harder for a player to move backward compared to moving forward toward the line of scrimmage. Nwosu will be a work in progress after making that change.

As a second-round pick, a player is projected to become a three-down starter, and be a quality contributor at that. I wouldn’t be surprised if moving to outside linebacker is tough on Nwosu and he ends up being just a designated pass-rusher in obvious pass-rushing situations. However with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram rushing off the edge, I am not sure how many plays Nwosu would get even in that role. Thus, of the Chargers’ early-round picks, I think there is the most bust potential with Nwosu.

2017: Dan Feeney, G
2016: Max Tuerk, C
2015: Craig Mager, CB
2014: Chris Watt, G
2013: D.J. Fluker, OT

Potential Boom Pick

Derwin James, S, Florida State – Round 1
This was an easy choice as I had James as the best value pick from the first night of the 2018 NFL Draft. Around the league, James was viewed by many teams as the top safety prospect. The fast and physical defender landed in the perfect system for him, as he should be an immediate upgrade for the safety-needy Chargers. Multiple team sources from franchises picking in the top 10 had James as their top-rated safety and felt he was among the best defensive prospects at any position. Having James fall into the Chargers’ lap at the 17th-overall pick is a steal, and they should have safety as a strength for the next decade.

James’ instincts, combined with his elite speed and physicality, could make hun a dynamic presence in the Chargers’ defense behind their potent pass rush and quality pass coverage. James is a very good run defender. He has sideline-to-sideline speed while consistently dishing out bone-rattling hits. Coming downhill to the line of scrimmage, James is a heat-seeking missile who will blow plays up. He has the size to play dime linebacker as well. James should be an asset as a run defender early in his NFL career while being a real presence filling in as the eighth man in the box.

In pass coverage, James has a lot to offer an NFL team. With his size, speed and athleticism, he is a great weapon to help in man coverage on tight ends. James is faster and more athletic than receiving tight ends while also having the size and strength to battle them for position or jump balls. In zone coverage, he is very good and has impressive diagnosis skills. Right now, he could have problems lining in man coverage on slot receivers. He also is not a natural single-high free safety in the deep part of the field. However, James is a young player who was a true junior last year with only two full years of playing time. He has a ton upside to improve in those areas over the course of his NFL career.

With talent on the Chargers’ defensive line, playing behind Denzel Perryman, with Casey Hayward on the outside, James could be a force on their defense. It wouldn’t surprise me if he becomes a Pro Bowl player early in his career and one of the better safeties in the NFL.

2017: Mike Williams, WR
2016: Joey Bosa, DE
2015: Melvin Gordon, RB
2014: Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB
2013: Keenan Allen, WR

Future Depth Player

Kyzir White, S, West Virginia – Round 4
The Chargers doubled up at safety, which made sense as they needed multiple safety upgrades. The 6-foot-2, 216-pound White is a physical hitter who is a quality run defender and presents a big presence in the middle of the field. White is more of a strong safety, and so is Derwin James. Thus, I think White will be relegated to serving more as a backup. On another team, I think he would have starting potential, but I don’t see him starting at free safety or playing over James. Still, in three-safety sets and rotating into the game, White could be a good contributor while also being a core special teams player. At the very least, White should provide good depth for Los Angeles.

2017: Desmond King, S
2016: Joshua Perry, LB
2015: Darius Philon, DT
2014: Marion Grice, RB
2013: Steve Williams, CB

Walt’s 2018 NFL Draft Grades:

17. Derwin James, S, Florida State A+ Grade
I think Tom Telesco is one of the better general managers in the NFL, but I thought he made a rare mistake last year when he opted for Mike Williams over Malik Hooker. The Ohio State product fell to the late teens, but should have been the seventh choice.

It’s nice to see that Telesco made amends for that decision. This time, James inexplicably fell, and Telesco wisely scooped him up. The Chargers have had a huge hole at safety for several seasons, but that’s no longer the case. James could have gone in the top 10, so this value is incredible. This is an A+ pick.

48. Uchenna Nwosu, OLB, USC C+ Grade
I had the Chargers picking Uchenna Nwosu, but in the third round (I moved him to Round 4 at the very end just to make the pieces fit.) Nwosu is a great fit for the Chargers’ defense, and he fills a big need as an edge rusher behind Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. However, considering he won’t start, I think the Chargers should’ve addressed bigger needs and hoped to get him in Round 3. I don’t dislike this selection, but I would’ve gone a different route.

84. Justin Jones, DT, N.C. State A- Grade
The Chargers wanted Rasheem Green, but Justin Jones definitely isn’t a bad consolation prize. Jones has a quick first step and can beat his opponents with plenty of moves to collapse the pocket. He should be able to help San Angeles apply some much-needed interior pressure on the improving quarterback group in the AFC West. This is a solid pick, as I thought Jones may have gone earlier than this. If he were more consistent, he would’ve definitely gone in the second round.

119. Kyzir White, LB/S, West Virginia B+ Grade
Kyzir White is very instinctive and should do well covering tight ends. White, a solid third- or fourth-round prospect, should help keep Travis Kelce in check… maybe. White should move from linebacker to safety, addressing a need.

155. Scott Quessenberry, C/G, UCLA A Grade
Scott Quessenberry is someone who could’ve been taken a round earlier than this. He’s a versatile blocker who can start at center or guard eventually, but I imagine the Chargers will want to use him at center once Mike Pouncey gets hurt. I can’t criticize the Chargers for adding to Philip Rivers’ blocking.

191. Dylan Cantrell, WR, Texas Tech B Grade
An insurance policy for Mike Williams, in case the young receiver continues to be injured. Dylan Cantrell is a high-upside receiver who tested very well during the pre-draft process. The range makes sense for him in the sixth round.

251. Justin Jackson, RB, Northwesten A- Grade
Justin Jackson was extremely productive at Northwestern, and when he tested very well at the combine, I thought he could go in the fifth or sixth round. Jackson provides strong value here toward the end of the draft. I like this move a lot, as Jackson could end up being a solid backup behind Melvin Gordon.

2018 NFL Draft Team Grade: A- . Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

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