2024 Chargers Draft Superthread - Prospect Discussion - Draft Has Started

[beachcomber]

Michigan

The Donovan Edwards story only got weirder in this game. He was somehow third in the running back rotation again. First attempt he runs right into his own offensive lineman only to later break it outside and score. The speed is undeniable and the pure ceiling of him just feels the best asset in the backfield.

I’ll say it again. I think he’s the best talent in that backfield. Every time he touches the ball something good happens. In this game, he scored every time he touched the ball. Finished the game with six carries for 104 yards and two scores. What more do you want?

Doesn’t Blake Corum have Mike Hart vibes? Yeah, with the mixed-in human evolution. I’m not trying to be a hater. I just want someone to be honest. What do you really think you’re getting here? Okay, the range is Maurice Jones-Drew to Mike Hart. Do you disagree? I’m watching the ball. Freaks play in the NFL. Even guys like Dameon Pierce you tell me he’s great and then he’s out here getting benched by Devin Singletary. I need grease lightning out of my back. I can only do so much with David Montgomery. How high are you going here? With the way backs are created, why would you spend a premium pick here?

Stat line is more than fine. Finished the game with 21 carries for 134 yards and two scores. I think you’re getting a solid football player. Just probably not a premium blue chip back. Be careful getting too deep in the mud.

JJ McCarthy is the opposite of the Godfather 3 meme. You want to believe. He has the talent to believe. Every time you want to he tells you not to believe. Still just so damn inconsistent. It’s all consistency in the lower half. I should say lack of. His feet are all over the place.

It’s easy to say now but this is kinda what Jordan Love looked like in college. Had arm talent except McCarthy is faster. Feet are just all over the place. Will a team be patient and develop him the right way? Landing spot is just so going to matter here.

They sure as hell didn’t win the game because of him. A couple of key runs put the game to bed. 10/18 for 140 yards isn’t championship material and it’s not NFL good. I’m not sure what to tell you other than patience will be key.

Sainristill tackles. How do you not like this guy? How about these corners in general? Sainristill is going to be a damn good nickel for someone. He’s perfect in terms of playing the ball. A converted wide receiver who’s somehow tough too. Had the game sealing interception in this one.

Will Johnson battled with Rome Odunze for much of the game. Odunze still got his but Johnson made a difference. Really felt like the first game to slow him down. Also had a pick in this one and he’s super long.

I gotta have number 55 on my team. That’s all I know. A name to remember for next year.

I think the tight end Colston Loveland might actually be good. Has real speed and a real tight end body. Like him better than Luke Schoonmaker and he went in the second round.

[beachcomber]

Washington

Michael Penix might have forgotten what Big 10 football was. Forget about the win or the loss. This game right here hopefully was the warning sign I’ve been trying to tell you for weeks. Yes, he for sure got his tail kicked in. It sure looked like his ribs were hurting. No denying that. However, the key takeaway should be what I’ve been trying to warn you.

Too stiff in the lower half. Throwing motion is never consistent. Touch accuracy isn’t good enough. The only way he makes throws is by having a clean table to work with. Any time he has to shift his feet, the throws aren’t accurate. They took a lot of his downfield attempts away and most of his success came on short throws where added YAC was topped on top. Can we be honest about that?

I’ll say it again. You’re out of your mind if you think this is a round one quarterback. That’s a death sentence waiting to happen. Especially when you factor his history of lower body injuries. Especially when you factor in that his head coach basically never loses. Just saying.

Averaged 5 yards per attempt in this game. Went 27/51 for one touchdown and two picks. That’s against what will be NFL defenses. You can ignore the warning signs and get burnt or acknowledge they exist and proceed with caution. Where will you stand?

I think we got what I expected out of Rome Odunze. Didn’t dominate the game but made his impact felt. Can’t complain about leading the team with 87 yards on five receptions. Jalen McMillan and Ja’Lynn Polk had pretty pedestrian numbers in this one. The passing totals were never going to support three guys in this one. If anything, McMillan may be a tick underrated simply by being hurt earlier in the year. I really like Odunze. Just not sure quite how high I’m willing to go.

[21&500]

Trade down candidate?
super athlete.
can play CB, inside outside, FS, ST

[Boltnut]

I don't see off the charts athleticism but man-o-man. His [Odunze] catch percentage is elite. This dude is like having a Quentin Johnston with great hands.

I think of Odunze as a mix between Mike Williams and Keenan Allen (with more speed). People think he will run a sub-4.40 forty-yard dash at the combine. I don't think he's that fast (nor do I obsess about 40-times). But he's like Mike in that he can compete for 50/50 balls. He's like Keenan in that he runs good routes and sets defenders up nicely.

I think that if you have Keenan, Odunze, QJ (who I haven't given up on), and Joshua Palmer... Yikes! And then you sub DD in for Palmer on plays you want the defense to defend deep (or the jet sweep)...? Wow! That's a weaponized offense. Find yourself a little scatback in the draft (to come out of the backfield)...? That's almost unfair. And that's why I put Odunze and Nabers in my Top-12.

There are 100 different ways to build a roster. But... pay attention to both sides of the ball. So far the teams with Top-5 defense are winning the playoff games.

[Boltnut]

Trade down candidate?
super athlete.
can play CB, inside outside, FS, ST

I like Cooper DeJean a lot. Versatility and sound tackling are his calling card. I would like to see a little more man v man skills before I move him into my Top-15. A Derwin comp...? Probably. Brian Branch from last year...? That's probably a better comp IMO.

[Boltnut]

Have all of the Koolaid drinkers scouted DeJean and Wiggins? I see those two rated higher by more than one “expert” but I know experts can be wrong so … who’s reviewed all of their tape and can offer insights? And yes, DJ is not the only pundit to rate Arnold over Koolaid though I have no idea if they are right either.

The only rumored 40 time for Koolaid I know of is 4.55 and that is not fast enough to cover the elite NFL WRs in man. That time could be way wrong, we’ll find out at the combine as he’s gonna have to run and change that perception - that seems to be the only thing holding his evaluations down. I don’t see great 40 times being posted for DeJean or Wiggins either so … ?

DeJean... yes, I've watched 3 whole games (not as many as Kool-Aid or Kalen King). Wiggans I haven't watched any full games. I should probably hunt those down. Most of the time, it's not that hard. For example, if I want to watch Kool-Aid... just Google "Alabama defense vs 2023". All/most of their 2023 will come up. Especially a program like Alabama... their should be plenty of demand for those. I did the same thing for Georgia's offense when I wanted to see Bowers and Georgia's offense. Michigan... same thing.

As for Nate Wiggans... I've only seen highlight videos. My limited impression is that he primarily plays zone with eyes on the QB (doesn't play with back to the QB or man v man much). Has really good long speed (catch-up speed). But he'll give up position and leverage to good route runners... his feet and hips can't keep up. Give up separation in/out of cuts. A guy like Keenan would eat him alive.

I think it's funny that Kool-Aid's speed is being questioned via rumor. Especially his inside technique suggests that his speed and burst are very good. Many of your elite CB's run "only" 4.45 forties. I expect Kool-Aid to run that. If he's only running 4.55... he comes off my list.

[Boltjolt]

DeJean... yes, I've watched 3 whole games (not as many as Kool-Aid or Kalen King). Wiggans I haven't watched any full games. I should probably hunt those down. Most of the time, it's not that hard. For example, if I want to watch Kool-Aid... just Google "Alabama defense vs 2023". All/most of their 2023 will come up. Especially a program like Alabama... their should be plenty of demand for those. I did the same thing for Georgia's offense when I wanted to see Bowers and Georgia's offense. Michigan... same thing.

As for Nate Wiggans... I've only seen highlight videos. My limited impression is that he primarily plays zone with eyes on the QB (doesn't play with back to the QB or man v man much). Has really good long speed (catch-up speed). But he'll give up position and leverage to good route runners... his feet and hips can't keep up. Give up separation in/out of cuts. A guy like Keenan would eat him alive.

I think it's funny that Kool-Aid's speed is being questioned via rumor. Especially his inside technique suggests that his speed and burst are very good. Many of your elite CB's run "only" 4.45 forties. I expect Kool-Aid to run that. If he's only running 4.55... he comes off my list.

Wiggins is very talented and has good length. But I read on him that early on at Clemson that he wasnt working hard and Dabo Swinney had to get on him and have a talk to get him to buy into the system, and he has. Not sure if that was a maturity thing early but it just makes me wonder what happens when he gets paid? Im sure he gets some money from NIL now but still makes you raise a little red flag til you can talk to him and Swinney which i definitely would do.

[dmac_bolt]

I’ve thought about Edward’s over Corum … and I’ve been mocking their CB in my mid-round mocks, he is a baller

[dmac_bolt]

DeJean... yes, I've watched 3 whole games (not as many as Kool-Aid or Kalen King). Wiggans I haven't watched any full games. I should probably hunt those down. Most of the time, it's not that hard. For example, if I want to watch Kool-Aid... just Google "Alabama defense vs 2023". All/most of their 2023 will come up. Especially a program like Alabama... their should be plenty of demand for those. I did the same thing for Georgia's offense when I wanted to see Bowers and Georgia's offense. Michigan... same thing.

As for Nate Wiggans... I've only seen highlight videos. My limited impression is that he primarily plays zone with eyes on the QB (doesn't play with back to the QB or man v man much). Has really good long speed (catch-up speed). But he'll give up position and leverage to good route runners... his feet and hips can't keep up. Give up separation in/out of cuts. A guy like Keenan would eat him alive.

I think it's funny that Kool-Aid's speed is being questioned via rumor. Especially his inside technique suggests that his speed and burst are very good. Many of your elite CB's run "only" 4.45 forties. I expect Kool-Aid to run that. If he's only running 4.55... he comes off my list.

Koolaid does look on tape to play a lot faster than 4.55.

I read analysis saying Wiggin’s weakness was man cover too - good eye Nutty

[Boltjolt]

I’ve thought about Edward’s over Corum … and I’ve been mocking their CB in my mid-round mocks, he is a baller

I dont really want either one. Edwards didnt have a very good season but he showed well in that last one. Corum, im just not sold. He has been consistant at Michigan ... I dont dislike him, just something doesnt excite me about him. But if drafted, id support it. I just like others better.

[Boltnut]

Koolaid does look on tape to play a lot faster than 4.55.

I read analysis saying Wiggin’s weakness was man cover too - good eye Nutty

IMO, Wiggans seems to be slotted wrong for us... around #15...? I have another CB (Kalen King) slotted around the same spot (maybe 15-20)... and he is a better man v man candidate than Wiggans. But King doesn't have the length or catch-up speed that Wiggans appears to have. If you're looking for scheme versatility though (zone v man)... I think King would be a better choice.

Having said all of that... Kool-Aid slots to us @#5-10. I think Wiggans, King, DeJean all go #15-30. Even Terrion might go before out 2nd round pick. I am not as high on Terrion as most pundits. I watched a lot of his play... as I was scouting Kool-Aid. Terrion is a great tackler. But seems to be mostly used as zone cover and can be very grabby (as his footwork and hip fluidity looked to be a problem most plays). I would also categorize Mike Sainristil as a grabby tough tackler with footwork and hip fluidity problems. Man v. man cover corners are scarce this draft IMO. But there are several good zone corners with very nice tackling skills.

[Boltnut]

I dont really want either one. Edwards didnt have a very good season but he showed well in that last one. Corum, im just not sold. He has been consistant at Michigan ... I dont dislike him, just something doesnt excite me about him. But if drafted, id support it. I just like others better.

I don't dislike Edwards or Corum... both have been productive runners. Both run tougher/bigger than their measurables. I watched both of them a lot as I dove into Michigan and Georgia game tapes. I actually liked Kendall Milton (Georgia's other RB) just as much. I am a little leary of Georgia's/Michigan's RB's as I suspect some of their production comes from those dominant offensive lines. Georgia's OL is elite IMO. I go after Sedrick Van Pran in the 2nd round almost every mock.

The other thing I see... other RB's that I like a little later (Milton being one). With my proposed culling of salaries this off-season... I think a good RB could be brought on via free agency (usually not my M.O.) I keep drafting Devin Neal in the 4th round. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o18JdKMrHXk&t=20s
He's not an every down back. But if paired with a free agent RB (Swift), Kelly (on the cheap), and Spiller... that could be a versatile/deep group.

In the end, I think the development of the OL is paramount to running the ball. OL coach will probably be replaced with the new HC coming in.
Kendall Milton: 6-1, 220 with a 6.5ypc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRS5H_fed00