All eyes were on the Los Angeles Chargers at this year’s draft as they look ahead to spending their first season back in LA since 1960. First impressions can be detrimental, and all the Chargers are looking for is a fresh start. The 2017 NFL draft brought new add-ons to the team that are just a stepping stone on the pathway to a new beginning.
Here is each selection broken down:
Round 1, Pick 7 – Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 218 pounds, Williams adds his physicality and
athleticism to the Charger’s offense as the seventh overall pick. The Clemson receiver has a history of winning contested catches and is a match made in heaven for quarterback Phillip Rivers. The Chargers were plagued with countless injuries last season, including the loss of No. 1 receiver Keenan Allen with a torn ACL. In retrospect, having Williams on the field for Rivers to work with this upcoming season could be a huge success.
The big-bodied receiver is quick on his feet and is going to be a challenge for anyone that defends him down the field. With a near 33-inch vertical, Williams is the type of player who can make any difficult catch look easy. Over three seasons at Clemson University, Williams recorded 177 receptions for 2,727 yards and 21 touchdowns over 42 games.
According to the Dane Brugler, an NFLDraftScout.com analyst, Williams has all the talents and characteristics to be bred into a No. 1 pass catcher in a NFL offense.
Can Williams live up to the hype? Only time will tell, but the future looks bright for the Chargers with Williams on the roster.
Round 2, Pick 6 (No. 38) – Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky
Forrest Lamp of Western Kentucky was a no-brainer for the Chargers in the second round as they look to build a strong offensive line. The 6-foot-4 guard is great news for QB Phillip Rivers, as Lamp offers a great amount of versatility on the line of scrimmage and should be able to keep Rivers upright in the pocket. Weighing in 309 pounds, the rookie has a very good chance at competing for a starting job this season.
With his lack of height and overall size, Lamp will most likely be pushed inside. Some of his strengths include being able to redirect weight back inside, securing blocks with choppy feet, and being able to process quickly when defense runs games up front. Overall, the Chargers lucked out with this versatile guard and should be seeing a positive effect with him on the line.
Round 3, Pick 7 (No. 71) – Dan Feeney, G, Indiana
The Chargers capped off a great second day at the 2017 NFL Draft with another successful offensive line pick. The 6-foot-4 guard out of Indiana is great news for both the passing and running game, making the offensive line look more complete than prior to the draft. The four-year starter has a high level of intelligence on the field that c
ould possibly make him an early impact player as a guard or center. Feeney’s ability to move quick on his feet makes him a zone-blocking specialist who can slide quickly to protect the edge in pass protection.
I’d watch out for the Chargers offense this year if I were you. With these three new talented rookies and a healthy roster, this offense could very well be one of the best in the AFC.
Round 4, Pick 6 (No. 113) Rayshawn Jenkins, S, Miami
With Jenkins selected in the fourth round, the Chargers added their first defensive player to the roster on the weekend. The safety out of Miami earned third-team All-ACC recognition from league media during his last year at The U, totaling 76 tackles, 4.5 for loss, two INT, and seven pass break ups. Jenkins was also invited to participate in the Senior Bowl this past season, where his big hits and overall body control turned a few heads.
There’s no guarantee on how soon we could see Jenkins on the field, but his competitive spirit doesn’t go unnoticed and could be a real game changer for the Chargers.
Fun Fact: Jenkins is one of 16 siblings.
Round 5, Pick 7 (No. 151) Desmond King, S, Iowa
The Chargers doubled up on safeties with the selection of Desmond King in the fifth round and garnered themselves a steal based off of this player’s abilities. The 5-foot-11 Iowa alum was a Big Ten super star, receiving numerous all-conference honors and a Defensive Player of the Year recognition. Although his lack of size might be an issue, King makes up for it with his high football intelligence and quick instincts.
During his four years at the University of Iowa, King participated in more than 94 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.
Round 6, Pick 6 (No. 190) Sam Tevi, OT, Utah
The 6-foot-5 lineman comes in as a dual-threat for the Chargers, having both experience on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Tevi started his career with the Utes as a defensive lineman and switched to offensive lineman during the 2014 season for the sake of his team, flourishing in that position. The dual-threat is known for his quick feet, but also can be inconsistent at times on the line.
Tevi’s athleticism is a huge plus for the Chargers, but he will need to work on his game instincts before we see him on the field anytime soon.
Round 7, Pick 7 (No. 225) Isaac Rochell, DT, Notre Dame
For their last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Chargers selected defensive tackle Isaac Rochell. Standing at 6-foot-3, the Notre Dame alum offers his length and upper body strength, including his cutting hands. Rochell is known for always exuding extreme effort on the field, but is not a polished pass rusher. If he can sharpen those skills on the field, this rookie could be a potential starter.
The Chargers also agreed to terms with 15 Undrafted Free Agents.
Mark my word. If the Chargers are able to stay healthy this year, expect this newly relocated team to take home the AFC West divisional title, and possibly a conference title too. This may seem like an unrealistic goal, but the Chargers are headed in the right direction with the changes that they have implemented so far. Only time will tell.
