Chargers 5th Round Pick: Desmond King, DB, Iowa

[Steve]

I think the big reason he was available is that there were a lot of CB with a bit of size and speed. It was a good year for DB, so when teams look at the list, it is easy to discount a guy who doesn't check all the boxes if there are still guys out there who do. There is also the last season bias, which is very real, but it also helps get young players use to dealing with adversity and staying focused.

[Big Dog]

Not sure if everybody has seen it yet but check out the video on Chargers.com where Mike Williams is announcing this pick.

http://www.chargers.com/video/2017/04/29/mike-williams-announces-selection-desmond-king

Right after Williams announces the pick, the cut back to the studio and one NFL network draft analyst starts saying "King has been falling ..." (hinting at concerns) and the other guy cuts him off "Let him fall, (sarcastically) watch what happens next" (boom)

What a great quote !!!

[Iowachargers]

Mike Williams said King was from Iowa State too. That is the ultimate disrespect to a Hawkeye fan. Hate the Clones.

[Fleet]

Mike Williams said King was from Iowa State too. That is the ultimate disrespect to a Hawkeye fan. Hate the Clones.

I assume it was written on the card that way. It is the Chargers PR department afterall.

[Boltdog]

Desmond King is a high character guy--You can google his story on local Hawkeyes sites and also USA Today: Returned to school last year because he promised his mother he would graduate with a degree. His mom almost lost him via miscarriage when 5 months pregnant. Lost an older brother to violence on the streets to Detroit.

But King became a leader on his football teams and well-respected in the Iowa City community. The Thorpe Award winner probably lost significant money by not declaring after last season, but showed a great attitude yesterday, saying he's thankful for the opportunity the Chargers have given him. "Tell the fans when I get out there I am going to give it 110% every day."

[Antonio's Gates]

I didn't like King as a corner, but as a safety, I love him. I actually compare him to Weddle. Both play with their brains and their size/short area agility numbers are almost identical (please don't mention weddles 40 time, we all know he's never been a 4.4 guy on the field.)

[bonehead]

Yeah like Fleet said this is our Kam Chancellor pick.....maybe

Some of the Chargers picks mentioned that coaches told them what kind of role they were going to play in the scheme

[bonehead]

According to Bradley he will be able to play "corner, nickel corner and free safety "

[Fleet]

Yeah like Fleet said this is our Kam Chancellor pick.....maybe

Some of the Chargers picks mentioned that coaches told them what kind of role they were going to play in the scheme

Referring to Jenkins not King. I think you accidentally posted in the wrong thread. lol

[bonehead]

Referring to Jenkins not King. I think you accidentally posted in the wrong thread. lol

I think so.... the Bradley quote seems to clear that up

[Fleet]

The middle of the draft is where general managers make their money (so they say), but particularly in this draft, there were a plethora of starters to be had with such great depth at multiple positions. Finding starters and contributors in the middle rounds is crucial for future success, and a number of players are well set up to make immediate contributions next season with potential to move into starting roles in the near future. Here are the best mid-round picks from the 2017 NFL Draft.

Los Angeles Chargers logo header

1. Desmond King, CB, Iowa (Round 5, pick No. 151)

King’s production was as good as it gets in college, and while he may not be the best man-coverage cornerback in the draft, he brings great value to the Chargers’ secondary. King was looked at as a safety by many NFL teams, but as a zone corner, he has excellent feel for route concepts and good ball skills to go with it. If the Chargers deploy him in a variety of zone coverages, King can excel, just as he did at Iowa, where he put up three strong coverage grades (82.4 in 2014, 87.0 in 2015, and 85.1 in 2016). Throw in his sure tackling (only 11 misses on 176 attempts over the last three years) and the Chargers got a solid football player in the back half of the draft.

Jacksonville Jaguars

2. Blair Brown, LB, Ohio (Round 5, pick No. 148)

Production and athleticism match up to make Brown a potential steal in the fifth round. His 92.4 PFF overall grade ranked second in the nation, as did his 91.5 grade against the run. Brown was also solid in coverage, ranking seventh with an 85.6 mark. He’s had the best tackling efficiency in the draft class, missing only three of his 134 attempts last season, and he has three-down potential if given the opportunity in Jacksonville.

Washington Redskins

3. Chase Roullier, C, Wyoming (Round 6, pick No. 199)

Finding a starting offensive lineman in the sixth round represents great value, and that may be what the Redskins found in Roullier. He was one of the nation’s best guards in 2015, earning a 90.6 overall grade that season, and ranked 11th in the nation after moving to center in 2016 (81.8 overall grade). Roullier has the quickness and power to play in any scheme in the run game, and he’s been solid in pass protection, surrendering only 14 total QB pressures on 882 attempts over the last two years. Expect Roullier to compete for snaps at either left guard or center very shortly.

San Francisco 49ers

4. George Kittle, TE, Iowa (Round 5, pick No. 146)

One of the better all-around tight ends in the draft, Kittle is a shifty route runner and a solid run blocker, and his ability to block on the move could make him a do-everything option for the 49ers. Expect Kittle to compete for snaps as a “move” tight end, but he can also contribute as a traditional fullback in new head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Kittle was the No. 5 tight end on our final draft board, and the 49ers are hoping to get production similar to his 2015 season, when his 82.3 overall grade was fifth in the nation, despite playing only 383 snaps.

New Orleans Saints

5. Trey Hendrickson, Edge, Florida Atlantic (Round 3, pick No. 103)

No edge defender recorded more than Hendrickson’s 78 QB pressures, as he notched nine sacks, 13 QB hits, and 56 hurries on only 348 rushes in 2016. He’s no one-year wonder, either, as he picked up 15 sacks, 13 QB hits, and 24 hurries on only 305 rushes in 2015, so there is a track record of getting after the quarterback. Combine that with a strong workout in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine, and Hendrickson fills an immediate needs for the Saints where he can step in as a pass-rush specialist.

New England Patriots

6. Deatrich Wise, Edge, Arkansas (Round 4, pick No. 131)

There will be many comparisons to former Arkansas defensive end Trey Flowers, who is coming off a breakout season for the Patriots, and just as we were much higher on Flowers than his fourth-round status suggested (we had a first-round grade on him in the 2015 draft), we also feel that Wise came off the board later than expected. He fits the classic mold of a New England edge rusher, with good length and technique; it showed on the field to the tune of 15 sacks, 23 QB hits, and 44 hurries on 524 rushes, just over a season’s worth of action. Wise has the frame to kick inside to rush the passer, so look for him to be used immediately all over the defensive front for the Patriots.

Green Bay Packers

7. Vince Biegel, LB, Wisconsin (Round 4, pick No. 108)

Wisconsin has been churning out productive edge defenders in recent years, and Biegel may be the best of the bunch. He picked up 20 sacks, 26 QB hits, and 84 hurries on his 713 rushes over the last three years, and his 15.3 pass-rushing productivity ranked 11th in the draft class in 2016. Throw in his solid run-defense (87.8 grade in 2015 and 82.4 in 2016), and Biegel is more than just a pass-rush specialist. Green Bay may have hit on a potential starter early in the fourth round — great value for that point in the draft.

Philadelphia Eagles

8. Mack Hollins, WR, North Carolina (Round 4, pick No. 118)

Look beyond Hollins’ 4.54-second 40-yard-dash time at the NFL Combine, because he has game speed that plays. He has that long-striding ability to get on cornerbacks quickly, and it showed in his 20.6 yards per reception at North Carolina and 20 touchdowns on only 81 catches. He may never be a high-volume receiver, but Hollins’ speed should make him an immediate deep threat, and when combined with his strong special-teams ability, the Eagles got a valuable player in the fourth round.

Seattle Seahawks

9. Tedric Thompson, S, Colorado (Round 4, pick No. 111)

Thompson won the PFF College Coverage Player of the Year award after picking off seven passes and breaking up seven more. He played both free safety and over the slot at Colorado, showing his center-field skills to read and make plays on the ball and the coverage skills to hold his own in the slot. That versatility will be coveted in the Seattle secondary, where Thompson can cross-train and provide valuable at multiple spots. He may have to wait his turn to see the field in Seattle, but Thompson would have started for a number of teams if he landed in a different place.

Dallas Cowboys

10. Xavier Woods, S, Louisiana Tech (Round 6, pick No. 191)

Another free safety/slot prospect, Woods showed great ball skills in both roles at Louisiana Tech, finishing with 14 interceptions and 10 pass breakups on 127 targets over the last three years. Woods’ 85.0 PFF coverage grade ranked 16th among safeties last season, and he adds a movable piece to the Dallas secondary that received an impressive overhaul in the draft. We expected Woods to come off the board much earlier than the sixth round, so expect him to compete for immediate playing time for the Cowboys.

[Rugger05]

The middle of the draft is where general managers make their money (so they say), but particularly in this draft, there were a plethora of starters to be had with such great depth at multiple positions. Finding starters and contributors in the middle rounds is crucial for future success, and a number of players are well set up to make immediate contributions next season with potential to move into starting roles in the near future. Here are the best mid-round picks from the 2017 NFL Draft.

Los Angeles Chargers logo header

1. Desmond King, CB, Iowa (Round 5, pick No. 151)

King’s production was as good as it gets in college, and while he may not be the best man-coverage cornerback in the draft, he brings great value to the Chargers’ secondary. King was looked at as a safety by many NFL teams, but as a zone corner, he has excellent feel for route concepts and good ball skills to go with it. If the Chargers deploy him in a variety of zone coverages, King can excel, just as he did at Iowa, where he put up three strong coverage grades (82.4 in 2014, 87.0 in 2015, and 85.1 in 2016). Throw in his sure tackling (only 11 misses on 176 attempts over the last three years) and the Chargers got a solid football player in the back half of the draft.

Jacksonville Jaguars

2. Blair Brown, LB, Ohio (Round 5, pick No. 148)

Production and athleticism match up to make Brown a potential steal in the fifth round. His 92.4 PFF overall grade ranked second in the nation, as did his 91.5 grade against the run. Brown was also solid in coverage, ranking seventh with an 85.6 mark. He’s had the best tackling efficiency in the draft class, missing only three of his 134 attempts last season, and he has three-down potential if given the opportunity in Jacksonville.

Washington Redskins

3. Chase Roullier, C, Wyoming (Round 6, pick No. 199)

Finding a starting offensive lineman in the sixth round represents great value, and that may be what the Redskins found in Roullier. He was one of the nation’s best guards in 2015, earning a 90.6 overall grade that season, and ranked 11th in the nation after moving to center in 2016 (81.8 overall grade). Roullier has the quickness and power to play in any scheme in the run game, and he’s been solid in pass protection, surrendering only 14 total QB pressures on 882 attempts over the last two years. Expect Roullier to compete for snaps at either left guard or center very shortly.

San Francisco 49ers

4. George Kittle, TE, Iowa (Round 5, pick No. 146)

One of the better all-around tight ends in the draft, Kittle is a shifty route runner and a solid run blocker, and his ability to block on the move could make him a do-everything option for the 49ers. Expect Kittle to compete for snaps as a “move” tight end, but he can also contribute as a traditional fullback in new head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Kittle was the No. 5 tight end on our final draft board, and the 49ers are hoping to get production similar to his 2015 season, when his 82.3 overall grade was fifth in the nation, despite playing only 383 snaps.

New Orleans Saints

5. Trey Hendrickson, Edge, Florida Atlantic (Round 3, pick No. 103)

No edge defender recorded more than Hendrickson’s 78 QB pressures, as he notched nine sacks, 13 QB hits, and 56 hurries on only 348 rushes in 2016. He’s no one-year wonder, either, as he picked up 15 sacks, 13 QB hits, and 24 hurries on only 305 rushes in 2015, so there is a track record of getting after the quarterback. Combine that with a strong workout in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine, and Hendrickson fills an immediate needs for the Saints where he can step in as a pass-rush specialist.

New England Patriots

6. Deatrich Wise, Edge, Arkansas (Round 4, pick No. 131)

There will be many comparisons to former Arkansas defensive end Trey Flowers, who is coming off a breakout season for the Patriots, and just as we were much higher on Flowers than his fourth-round status suggested (we had a first-round grade on him in the 2015 draft), we also feel that Wise came off the board later than expected. He fits the classic mold of a New England edge rusher, with good length and technique; it showed on the field to the tune of 15 sacks, 23 QB hits, and 44 hurries on 524 rushes, just over a season’s worth of action. Wise has the frame to kick inside to rush the passer, so look for him to be used immediately all over the defensive front for the Patriots.

Green Bay Packers

7. Vince Biegel, LB, Wisconsin (Round 4, pick No. 108)

Wisconsin has been churning out productive edge defenders in recent years, and Biegel may be the best of the bunch. He picked up 20 sacks, 26 QB hits, and 84 hurries on his 713 rushes over the last three years, and his 15.3 pass-rushing productivity ranked 11th in the draft class in 2016. Throw in his solid run-defense (87.8 grade in 2015 and 82.4 in 2016), and Biegel is more than just a pass-rush specialist. Green Bay may have hit on a potential starter early in the fourth round — great value for that point in the draft.

Philadelphia Eagles

8. Mack Hollins, WR, North Carolina (Round 4, pick No. 118)

Look beyond Hollins’ 4.54-second 40-yard-dash time at the NFL Combine, because he has game speed that plays. He has that long-striding ability to get on cornerbacks quickly, and it showed in his 20.6 yards per reception at North Carolina and 20 touchdowns on only 81 catches. He may never be a high-volume receiver, but Hollins’ speed should make him an immediate deep threat, and when combined with his strong special-teams ability, the Eagles got a valuable player in the fourth round.

Seattle Seahawks

9. Tedric Thompson, S, Colorado (Round 4, pick No. 111)

Thompson won the PFF College Coverage Player of the Year award after picking off seven passes and breaking up seven more. He played both free safety and over the slot at Colorado, showing his center-field skills to read and make plays on the ball and the coverage skills to hold his own in the slot. That versatility will be coveted in the Seattle secondary, where Thompson can cross-train and provide valuable at multiple spots. He may have to wait his turn to see the field in Seattle, but Thompson would have started for a number of teams if he landed in a different place.

Dallas Cowboys

10. Xavier Woods, S, Louisiana Tech (Round 6, pick No. 191)

Another free safety/slot prospect, Woods showed great ball skills in both roles at Louisiana Tech, finishing with 14 interceptions and 10 pass breakups on 127 targets over the last three years. Woods’ 85.0 PFF coverage grade ranked 16th among safeties last season, and he adds a movable piece to the Dallas secondary that received an impressive overhaul in the draft. We expected Woods to come off the board much earlier than the sixth round, so expect him to compete for immediate playing time for the Cowboys.

I am glad to read this. I think we know TT doesn't value safeties too highly so I wasn't shocked that he passed on Hooker. Reading up on Hooker his ball skills were amazing but tackling wasn't his strong suit. Glad King fell to the Chargers. He might be another Brown for them