2021 Draft Discussion - Bolts Pick 13th

[beachcomber]

LA Chargers’ potential 2021 first-round needs: 1. Offensive line


This is technically cheating as this is more than one position and is an entire position group, but the argument remains the same. Even if the LA Chargers’ offensive line takes big leaps this year, the team is going to need to add a first-round talent somewhere. It is about time as well.

The Chargers have not picked an offensive lineman in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2013 when they selected D.J. Fluker with the 11th overall pick. You have to go back another 28 years to 1985 to find the second-most recent first-round offensive lineman, Jim Lachey.

It is time that the Chargers invest a first-round pick on an offensive lineman and there definitely will be some sort of need that opens up this season. Will it be left guard? Dan Feeney and Forrest Lamp have not been great thus far in their careers and are at the end of their contracts.

It could be center, even. Mike Pouncey is in the last year of his contract and an elite center is a better outlook than Scott Quessenberry, although Quessenberry was not bad. Right guard and right tackle are locked up for at least the 2021 season and left tackle could become a need if Trey Pipkins struggles mightily and nobody steps up to the plate.

Will the LA Chargers draft an offensive lineman in the first round? Probably not, for whatever reason the team shies away from drafting that position in the first round.

https://boltbeat.com/2020/08/13/la-chargers-potential-2021-draft-needs/4/

[like54ninjas]

Some more prospects I’d like to see in powder blues.......


1). CREED HUMPHREY - OC - UOK - 6’4” / 315# - Top OC In Past 5 Years, high football IQ, bully, wrestling background, solid movement skills, strong anchor, technician with hands/feet (major improvement from 18-19), fantastic stunt reco, excellent grip strength, foundation balance is best I’ve seen
2). JOE TRYON - EDGE - UW - 6’5” / 260# - True Junior, high motor/football IQ, heavy disruptive hands that need work on placement, length to disengage/finish, wins with talent, has rip/swim-1arm post-faint/slap inside counter, superior flexibility to flatten arc, explosive 1st step, great COD, needs to work on hand technique, physicality consistency improved YOY, converts S2P, position flexibility
3A). CHARLES SNOWDEN - OTTO/LEO - UVA - 6’7” / 245# - Incredible H/W/S combo, just scratching the surface, length for days, big motor, sets strong edge, relentless backside pursuit, learning zone coverage drops, offers position versatility, disrupts passing lanes, bends then 90 degree flattens, starting to fill out frame (260#-265# projected in 2 yrs)
3B). TERRACE MARSHALL JR - WR - LSU - 6’3” / 200# - big, strong, fast, tough @ catch point through contact, very nuanced route stems/tree, good RAC, redzone target, creates massive separation at TOR, strong soft hands, decent willing blocker, good contact balance, excellent footwork around boundary, great leaping ability leading to highpointing ball over defenders
4). LANDON YOUNG - OT - UK - 6’7” / 325# - Huge physical monster, insane length, good feet, plays with outstanding pad level in the run game, country/farm boy work ethic, devastating down/drive blocker, uses length & footwork to scoop on edge, high football IQ, savvy influence blocker, heavy jarring punch, people mover, devastating grip strength, 64 knockdowns w/only 1 missed assignment in 2019, kickstep looks a bit labored, needs to bow back/knee bend better in passpro, 2018 knee injury
5). ZYON MCCOLLUM - CB - SHSU - 6’4” / 200# - 4.4 ballhawk with size/length, excellent ankle/hip flexibility, understands route concepts, GAME CHANGER (9 INT/2 pick 6’s), disrupts catch point, speed turns need work, explosive plant/drive ability from zone back pedal, strong hands for ripping ball away, tremendous vision in locating potential receiving threats in zone, loves contact/fierce in run support, impact tackler, impressive closing burst, needs work on TOR denial techniques, sleeper until the combine
6). KUONY DENG - LB - CAL - 6’6” / 250# - CRAZY athlete, speed/agility/power, uses length to disengage well, natural instincts that need development, went JUCO route, still learning football/position, physicality is evident on tape, length/speed closes passing lanes, excellent as S2S scraper, needs to trust his reads and come downhill quicker, another sleeper until combine
7). TONY POLJAN - TE - UVA/CMU - 6’7” / 260# - Good athlete, QB convert (3rd year as TE), soft hands, understands coverage concepts, rabid enthusiastic blocker (technique needs work), seem/redzone weapon, breaks tackles in mass, powerful RAC, plays through whistle, physically/mentally tough, fights for yardage YAC, baby gronk, 1 more sleeper

[Fleet]

[Classic]

Luxury pick unless Henry isn't re-signed. We've only selected a OT in the 1st two times in 30 odd years. OL and CB are needs #1 and #2 on this squad.

[Fleet]

Luxury pick unless Henry isn't re-signed. We've only selected a OT in the 1st two times in 30 odd years. OL and CB are needs #1 and #2 on this squad.

Totally agree. Ive stated this a few times in other threads. I could easily see Telesco drafting a non OT though. Just to stay consistent.

[Formula 21]

Totally agree. Ive stated this a few times in other threads. I could easily see Telesco drafting a non OT though. Just to stay consistent.

Just to stick his head in the sand

[like54ninjas]

1). Caleb Farley - CB - VT - RJR - 6’2” / 207# - True shutdown CB who excels in a variety of coverage techniques, long, exceptional speed (4.3s) to carry WRs downfield, fluid mover with exceptional COD/agility, BALLHAWK with ballskills (6 INTs), WR convert, instant acceleration to plant/break on ball, combative at catch point, excellent understanding of route concepts, slow plays long developing routes to bait QBs, uses both 1 & 2 hand jam techniques, quality open field tackler, short memory/confidence abounds, uses sideline as a defender,needs to be more physical in edge run support.

2). Jalen Mayfield - OT - MICHIGAN - RSO - 6’5” / 320# - Athletic big man with plus movement skills, good feet, excellent mechanics, feet and length eliminate arc angles, solid stunt reco, strong punch that needs refinement in its location consistency, dynamic grip strength/hands on rep is over, powerful down blocker, easy climber to 2nd/3rd level, needs to continue to work on locating secondary targets, solid kickstep that covers ground, fantastic contact balance, good positional blocker, great feet to perform scoop/pull/fold/shield blocks, dominated Chase Young/OHST & BAMA in 2019, rough 1Q against PSU. With more tape this season now will move into round 1. Was my second highest graded OT in 2019.

3A). Hamilcar Rasheed Jr. - LEO/OTTO - OSU - RSR - 6’4” / 245# - Uber athletic multi-dimensional edge player that plays with relentless vigor, violent strong disruptive hands, plays with outstanding leverage, monster running inside stunts, flattens top of arc to close, impressive twitch get off, multi passrush arsenal (push/pull, slap/rip, speed shoulder dip, 1-arm post), ability to get skinny to split doubles, plays in the opponents backfield, converts S2P to collapse pocket, demon on backside pursuit, athleticism to play in space (flats/hook zones), wrap up tackler that attacks/dislodges the football.

3B). Austin Watkins - WR - UAB - RSR - 6’3” / 210# - Big, smooth, fast (4.4s), dynamic playmaker who excels in his routes at all 3 levels, exceptional contact balance, high points ball at catch point, soft hands that snatch ball out of the air, diverse route tree, route stems look identical, breaks tackles, RAC all day, redzone weapon, stacks CB and separates at top of routes, willing but unspectacular blocker, beats press with feet and hands, tough over the middle, “my ball” mindset.

4). Divine Deablo - DS/DLB - VT - RSR - 6’3” / 220# - Multi-positional athlete with size/speed(low 4.5s)/length/physicality and ballskills, tough physical hitter that really explodes through ball carriers, uses length to close passing lanes and enhance tackling radius, effective blitzer, understands zone concepts/responsibilities, defeats blocks with length/power/speed, impressive closing burst, needs to continue to work on staying in phase in M2M, enforcer mentality who s always around the ball.

5). Anthony Schwartz - WR - AUB - JR - 6’ / 180# - True offensive speed (4.2s) weapon that’s is not only a deep threat but a RAC producer, breaks pursuit angles, instant acceleration, true 5th gear to pull away from defenders, tough for size, fearless in traffic, good hands but has shown some concentration drops, limited route tree/production due to scheme/QB play, big play waiting to happen, effective in the run game on jet sweeps/reverses, thinks he’s 250# when blocking, hard nosed/tough football player.

6). Coy Cronk - OG/OT - IOWA/IU - RSR - 6’5” / 320# - 4 yr starter OLT @ IU injury game 3 2019 cut short senior season/grad transfer to Iowa with move to ORT), will move to inside OG at NFL level, good feet/mover, lots of length he uses to run defenders around arc, tough and plays with nasty streak, loves to finish defenders to ground, easy mover to 2nd/3rd levels, needs to improve overall strength, punch locations are inconsistent, good hip flex action to drive through down blocks, solid deep anchor fundamentals, held own vs Chase Young in 19, solid down step to close out inside counters. Can hold up at OT but has very high ceiling @ OG.

7). Khyiris Tonga - DT - BYU - SR - 6’4” / 325# - Agile, physical big man that offers value on all 3 downs, power rusher with counters, ability to collapse pocket or beat IOL 1on1, holds gap on moving zone runs, powerful hand strikes that dislodge Olinemen, when loses leverage doubles uproot him, excellent laterally agility with decent length to keep gap integrity, works combo stunts inside or on perimeter, disruptive when allowed to penetrate upfield, needs to learn to grab dirt when loses initial leverage battle.

[beachcomber]

Some more prospects I’d like to see in powder blues.......

5). ZYON MCCOLLUM - CB - SHSU - 6’4” / 200# - 4.4 ballhawk with size/length, excellent ankle/hip flexibility, understands route concepts, GAME CHANGER (9 INT/2 pick 6’s), disrupts catch point, speed turns need work, explosive plant/drive ability from zone back pedal, strong hands for ripping ball away, tremendous vision in locating potential receiving threats in zone, loves contact/fierce in run support, impact tackler, impressive closing burst, needs work on TOR denial techniques, sleeper until the combine
6). KUONY DENG - LB - CAL - 6’6” / 250# - CRAZY athlete, speed/agility/power, uses length to disengage well, natural instincts that need development, went JUCO route, still learning football/position, physicality is evident on tape, length/speed closes passing lanes, excellent as S2S scraper, needs to trust his reads and come downhill quicker, another sleeper until combine
7). TONY POLJAN - TE - UVA/CMU - 6’7” / 260# - Good athlete, QB convert (3rd year as TE), soft hands, understands coverage concepts, rabid enthusiastic blocker (technique needs work), seem/redzone weapon, breaks tackles in mass, powerful RAC, plays through whistle, physically/mentally tough, fights for yardage YAC, baby gronk, 1 more sleeper

am an intangibles guy and like what I see w/these last coupla few guys.... Landon Young is tempting, albeit forget why I never got on his bandwagon last go 'round ??

and don't want to overdraft any of these guys, as suspect that Kuony is gonna climb outta day three, and don't want to spend a day two pick on him, and ditto for Zyon as he is the type of young media darling that climbs boards as well, and is overdrafted.... think both of these are developmental guys and better slotted for day three ??

don't know nuthin' 'bout the last guy, but good work w/the needles in the haystack Ninj !!

[beachcomber]

4). Divine Deablo - DS/DLB - VT - RSR - 6’3” / 220# - Multi-positional athlete with size/speed(low 4.5s)/length/physicality and ballskills, tough physical hitter that really explodes through ball carriers, uses length to close passing lanes and enhance tackling radius, effective blitzer, understands zone concepts/responsibilities, defeats blocks with length/power/speed, impressive closing burst, needs to continue to work on staying in phase in M2M, enforcer mentality who s always around the ball.

6). Coy Cronk - OG/OT - IOWA/IU - RSR - 6’5” / 320# - 4 yr starter OLT @ IU injury game 3 2019 cut short senior season/grad transfer to Iowa with move to ORT), will move to inside OG at NFL level, good feet/mover, lots of length he uses to run defenders around arc, tough and plays with nasty streak, loves to finish defenders to ground, easy mover to 2nd/3rd levels, needs to improve overall strength, punch locations are inconsistent, good hip flex action to drive through down blocks, solid deep anchor fundamentals, held own vs Chase Young in 19, solid down step to close out inside counters. Can hold up at OT but has very high ceiling @ OG.

not feelin' any outta this bunch, albeit Deablo seems like a fit w/Lynn ??

Cronk def seems like an NFL guy, just not sure I see him as a Charger ??

props to your growing draft chops, as seems the checklist is getting longer and more precise Ninj !!

appreciate you sharing your reports.... better than most of 'em out there.

[like54ninjas]

am an intangibles guy and like what I see w/these last coupla few guys.... Landon Young is tempting, albeit forget why I never got on his bandwagon last go 'round ??

and don't want to overdraft any of these guys, as suspect that Kuony is gonna climb outta day three, and don't want to spend a day two pick on him, and ditto for Zyon as he is the type of young media darling that climbs boards as well, and is overdrafted.... think both of these are developmental guys and better slotted for day three ??

don't know nuthin' 'bout the last guy, but good work w/the needles in the haystack Ninj !!

They are day 3 guys.....rounds 5 & 6 in this “mock”.
Zyon is going to climb boards. He is a top 100 prospect on my board with his grade through 3 years. He produces turnovers (about 5 per year). With his size, speed, agility, explosive traits, athleticism, production, football IQ, motor, work ethic, dedication, character, and skillset projection he should go day 2.
Poljan is a big target that is still ascending.

[like54ninjas]

not feelin' any outta this bunch, albeit Deablo seems like a fit w/Lynn ??

Cronk def seems like an NFL guy, just not sure I see him as a Charger ??

props to your growing draft chops, as seems the checklist is getting longer and more precise Ninj !!

appreciate you sharing your reports.... better than most of 'em out there.

Thank you for the compliment.

Same system I developed 6-7 years ago. So no changes from the past.
You and I rarely agree on prospect evaluations. So no surprise you disagree with prospects I rate highly and would love to see in powder blues.

What don’t you like specifically about Farley, Mayfield, Rasheed Jr, Watkins, and Schwartz?

[beachcomber]

Thank you for the compliment.

Same system I developed 6-7 years ago. So no changes from the past.
You and I rarely agree on prospect evaluations. So no surprise you agree with prospects I rate highly and would love to see in powder blues.

What don’t you like specifically about Farley, Mayfield, Rasheed Jr, Watkins, and Schwartz?

think my system, if you want to call it that is prolly close to 180 degrees from yours.... eye start w/the intangibles/ethereal sense eye get from players, i.e my sense for their mindset, how grounded they are as individuals, and what their "vibe" might be.... the empiricals/measurables are more my second line of research and mostly serve to knock someone off my board if you or some other draftniks tend to be wholly against them for some tangible reason/instance, which is usually what I refer to as "mixed reviews," if there are others who are high on/good with the said player.

so nothing in particular on your guys, save for Mayfield who looks like he could be a headcase of sorts, and not who I'm looking for as a Charger.... sorta reminds me of that DT we were looking at that eye think got drafted by Jax ?? good player perhaps, but not willing to take a chance on his mindset/intangibles when there are other guys that seem rock solid to me on that note, i.e. Trey Smith.

you also consider a hellah lot more players than eye ever do, as my take is that there are usually 'bout 400 players or so worthy of consideration, and my sense is that only about 40 of 'em are usually worthy of serious NFL consideration, and that outta those usually end up w/about half that many on my board, as the other half there are usually guys likely to carve out a career in the NFL, but personally just not feelin' 'em or don't see them as a Charger.

ps. "Intuition is more direct than reason and far more accurate."