2024 Chargers Draft Superthread - Prospect Discussion - Draft Has Started

[Boltnut]

Alright draft gurus, I have a question. There is all the hype on Kool-Aid. A DB I’ve heard good things about and might move up but hopefully overlooked is Terrion Arnold. For those of you who have studied the DB class and know much more than I do, what do you think of Terrion Arnold who can be had late teens maybe early 20’s at this point?

I see Kool-Aid as the best CB (a top-10 talent). His speed and athleticism put him above the others IMO. My next favorite is Kalen King. He's smart and fiesty... gets his head around early and sees the play as it is set up. Very good anticipation. He had a rough game against Marvin Harrison Jr. But who hasn't...? Kalen King should go in the late teens/early 20's. After that, you have a bunch of CB's that play physical... but don't have the field awareness of the first 2 CB's. Terrion Arnold is one these guys IMO. They start going in the mid-20's on through the late 2nd round. Denzel Burke, Kamari Lassiter, Josh Newton, Caelen Carson... Nate Wiggans shows up on lists; but I'm never able to see recent tape. So I can't comment on him. Cooper DeJean is often listed with the CB's... other time as a safety. He's very good, but I think he gets drafted as a safety.

For what it's worth... I had Joey Porter Jr., Brian Branch, and Clark Phillips in our 1st round cluster last year. Porter and Branch have been very good... Phillips didn't get drafted until the 4th round...

[Boltinloudguy]

I see Kool-Aid as the best CB (a top-10 talent). His speed and athleticism put him above the others IMO. My next favorite is Kalen King. He's smart and fiesty... gets his head around early and sees the play as it is set up. Very good anticipation. He had a rough game against Marvin Harrison Jr. But who hasn't...? Kalen King should go in the late teens/early 20's. After that, you have a bunch of CB's that play physical... but don't have the field awareness of the first 2 CB's. Terrion Arnold is one these guys IMO. They start going in the mid-20's on through the late 2nd round. Denzel Burke, Kamari Lassiter, Josh Newton, Caelen Carson... Nate Wiggans shows up on lists; but I'm never able to see recent tape. So I can't comment on him. Cooper DeJean is often listed with the CB's... other time as a safety. He's very good, but I think he gets drafted as a safety.

For what it's worth... I had Joey Porter Jr., Brian Branch, and Clark Phillips in our 1st round cluster last year. Porter and Branch have been very good... Phillips didn't get drafted until the 4th round...

I see King mostly projected in the 2nd round. Which if he can be had mid to late 1st, I would be much happier taking a CB then than at 8-11. I’m a big fan of DT Newton and I know they need a physical disruptive presence in there. I think he goes 10-15.

Would it be better to trade back a few spots, grab Newton and then grab one of the 2nd tier DBs so they can accumulate more picks? That’s the direction I’m leaning towards.

[Boltnut]

Current 1st round cluster... assuming Marvin Harrison is gone by our pick:

CB Kool-Aid
DE Latu
OT Fashanu
OT Alt
DE Dallas Turner
WR Odunze
WR Nabers
DE Verse
TE Bowers

[Boltjolt]

I see Kool-Aid as the best CB (a top-10 talent). His speed and athleticism put him above the others IMO. My next favorite is Kalen King. He's smart and fiesty... gets his head around early and sees the play as it is set up. Very good anticipation. He had a rough game against Marvin Harrison Jr. But who hasn't...? Kalen King should go in the late teens/early 20's. After that, you have a bunch of CB's that play physical... but don't have the field awareness of the first 2 CB's. Terrion Arnold is one these guys IMO. They start going in the mid-20's on through the late 2nd round. Denzel Burke, Kamari Lassiter, Josh Newton, Caelen Carson... Nate Wiggans shows up on lists; but I'm never able to see recent tape. So I can't comment on him.
Cooper DeJean is often listed with the CB's... other time as a safety. He's very good, but I think he gets drafted as a safety.

For what it's worth... I had Joey Porter Jr., Brian Branch, and Clark Phillips in our 1st round cluster last year. Porter and Branch have been very good... Phillips didn't get drafted until the 4th round...

It's what they said about Desmond and he hasn't played safety at all in the NFL.

Clark Phillips rarely even plays. I had him a 3rd rounder.
Caelyn Carson I like but this season he hasnt been quite as good,....he has his highest QB rating against him than previous 2 seasons. But good coaching can help him.

I like DeJean and he has good size. I think Id pick DeJean over King.

[Boltinloudguy]

Watching Kyren Williams play right now reminds me of Bucky Irving. Or vice versa. Same size, patient, good cuts and tough to bring down. I think Bucky Irving could be a steal if he lasts until the 4th.

[Leslie Grossman]

Film on OC Jackson Powers-Johnson...

Want him in the 3rd now he’s being mocked by some in the 2nd

[Leslie Grossman]

Current wish if picking 5th. Giants give up a 4th to come up a spot for Daniels. Then Jets give Chargers a 4th to come up for Alt or Fashanu.
Pick up 2 4ths to move from 5 to 7.

[Boltnut]

I see King mostly projected in the 2nd round. Which if he can be had mid to late 1st, I would be much happier taking a CB then than at 8-11. I’m a big fan of DT Newton and I know they need a physical disruptive presence in there. I think he goes 10-15.

Would it be better to trade back a few spots, grab Newton and then grab one of the 2nd tier DBs so they can accumulate more picks? That’s the direction I’m leaning towards.

I can see that reasoning as sound. My personal problem is that I don't value DT's as much as most people. I don't put DT's in the 1st round unless they are dominant. Guys like Aaron Donald and Chris Jones are those guys. A few years back, there was a conversation about Dexter Lawrence. I though he was worthy of a pick in the early 20's. Will Newton be as good as those guys...? I have my doubts.

Whereas a #1CB has more value IMO. I think most of the CB's in the 2nd round wouldn't be any better than ASJ (whom I liked in the 2nd round). But ASJ is a #2 CB. He needs a guy opposite him that can do the things that he can't do... tight man v man against the league's best WR's.

After CB... if you can get a top EDGE rusher or OT, then I'm all over them. We'll see what the Chargers do at EDGE this off-season.

[Boltnut]

It's what they said about Desmond and he hasn't played safety at all in the NFL.

Clark Phillips rarely even plays. I had him a 3rd rounder.
Caelyn Carson I like but this season he hasnt been quite as good,....he has his highest QB rating against him than previous 2 seasons. But good coaching can help him.

I like DeJean and he has good size. I think Id pick DeJean over King.

I'm not surprised. Falcons have a deep CB group (I think 3 first rounders).
I haven't watched the Falcons... so I have nothing to go on.
Just checked ESPN depth chart... and they have Phillips listed ahead of Okudah and Hughes (both 1st rounders).

[Boltjolt]

I'm not surprised. Falcons have a deep CB group (I think 3 first rounders).
I haven't watched the Falcons... so I have nothing to go on.
Just checked ESPN depth chart... and they have Phillips listed ahead of Okudah and Hughes (both 1st rounders).

On the the Falcons depth chart they have him behind Dee Alford at NB.

He has played in 8 games 2 starts.

[beachcomber]

Pauline,

Bill Belichick, who won’t be coaching the team next season.
shutdown corner (McKinstry)
Bowers is one of the best players in this draft and will immediately become a favorite target of Justin Herbert.
offensive tackle and receiver, is a bigger need, yet Newton is rated much higher than any player at either of those positions.
(Chop) Robinson could ultimately be a top-10 pick
I have personal doubts about Odunze being a first-round talent, yet he’s had a sensational season.
There are a few who believe Wiggins is CB1 in this draft.
Latu is a superior player with outstanding film, but will he pass medicals in the lead-up to the draft?
Expect Fuaga to move up boards over the next three months. He’s a powerful but athletic right tackle with scheme versatility.
JC Latham/22, Terrion Arnold/23, Denzel Burke/24

[beachcomber]

24. Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama (3rd Year | 6-0, 196)
Arnold is a dog; he’s going to consistently play bigger than his listed weight. His move to the slot midway through this season was a prescient one, as that looks like his ideal position at the next level. His willingness to play the run and easy quicks to get around blocks are perfect for the slot.

26. T'Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas (5th Year | 6-4, 362)
One of the biggest risers of the 2023, Sweat transformed from a nice two-down nose tackle last season into a legit three-down difference maker. His combination of immense size, length, and strength is a sight to behold. He could not be blocked one-on-one this season.

31. Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State (4th Year | 6-6, 334)
He is a brick wall of a right tackle with some of the easiest power on contact you’ll ever see; a well-placed punch from Fuaga in pass pro will stop you right in your tracks. He profiles as a better run-blocker than pass-protector, but has improved mightily in the latter this year.

37. Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia (4th Year | 6-0, 185)
McConkey is a technician with high-end speed, ball skills, and YAC-ability. He’s more of a No. 2 than a No. 1, but he can make corners look silly one-on-one.

38. Bralen Trice, DE, Washington (5th Year | 6-4, 274)
Trice is a no-nonsense defensive end that’s just looking to collapse the pocket as quickly as possible. He can work a few moves off of his initial bull-rush and has been consistently productive over the course of his Washington career.

40. JT Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State (3rd Year | 6-4, 270)
If there’s anyone on this list that I could bet on being a more productive NFL-er than they were a college player, it would be Tuimoloau. His high-end flashes were awe-inspiring, with the kind of power you rarely see at the collegiate level. They were too few and far between to go to bat for early on, though, as Tuimoloau is more of a one-trick bull-rusher at this point.

42. Kalen King, CB, Penn State (3rd Year | 5-11, 190)
King had better tape in 2022 than he did in ’23, but it’s not like that talent all of a sudden disappeared. He’s twitch and feisty — a great combination for a cornerback. The plays on the football pretty much dried up this past fall, however.

43. Graham Barton, IOL, Duke (4th Year | 6-5, 314)
Barton has five-position versatility. He started his career at center before moving to left tackle, where he played the past three seasons. He’s a plus athlete with his best plays coming on the move or in space.

46. Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State (3rd Year | 6-1, 190)
Burke has been starting ever since his true freshman season for the Buckeyes. After a disappointing sophomore campaign, he bounced back in a big way this fall. His flat-foot breaks are top notch as he can close to the catch point in the blink of an eye.

47. Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon (3rd Year | 6-3, 320)
Powers-Johnson is a unique prospect for a couple of reasons: First, he’s an early entrant at center — something you almost never see; second, he only has one season under his belt as a full-time starter, another rarity. For him to still crack this top-50 tells you how good his tape was, though. The Oregon center has a fire hydrant build and can withstand powerful nose tackles. He can also locate at the second level extremely well.

82. Blake Corum, RB, Michigan (4th Year | 5-8, 213)
83. Brenden Rice, WR, USC (4th Year | 6-3, 210)
84. Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas (3rd Year | 6-4, 242)
86. Cooper Beebe, IOL, Kansas State (5th Year | 6-4, 335)
89. Trey Benson, RB, Florida State (4th Year | 6-1, 223)
94. Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State (5th Year | 6-4, 251)
95. Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU (3rd Year | 6-6, 325)
96. Braden Fiske, DL, Florida State (6th Year | 6-5, 297)
100. Sedrick Van Pran, IOL, Georgia (4th Year | 6-4, 310)