The 2019 NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up on Monday in Indianapolis.
Here are ten potential draft picks of the Chargers who crushed the combine, who might have caught their attention throughout the course of the week.
Kaleb McGary | OT | Washington
McGary has one of the most unique backstories of any prospect in the draft class on how he came up from nothing to seeing himself likely being selected as one of the first five offensive tackles in April. The former Washington product helped his case even more this past weekend in Indy.
McGary, a former basketball player, was excellent in the testing by no surprise, placing top-10 in the 40-yard dash (5.05), vertical jump (33.5), broad jump (9’3″), shuttle (4.58), 3-cone (7.66) and bench press (23).
When it came to the on-field drills, McGary demonstrated great footwork and change of direction in the mirror drill. It replicated exactly what was shown on the film, as he is able to bend easily, although he must work on playing with a better base instead of being so upright.
Jerry Tillery | DT | Notre Dame
Tillery stood tall at 6-foot-6 and 295 pounds with an arm length of 34 1/4 and hand size of 10 5/8, showing off his long and athletic frame.
The former Notre Dame product posted a 4.93 40-yard dash, 32-inch vertical jump, 115-inch broad jump, 7.45 three-cone drill and 4.33 20-yard shuttle, which all ranked among the top-10 at his position.
Tillery was silky smooth in the on-field drills, replicating what was displayed on his film, as he moves well for a player of his size with lateral quickness, hip snap and flexibility.
Tillery’s performance likely elevated to the back end of the first round, which would make out to be a solid pick at No. 28 overall if Los Angeles elects to select a defensive tackle early on.
Renell Wren | DT | Arizona State
Wren has been commonly mentioned by us throughout the past few months. One of the bigger risers in a deep interior defensive line class, the former Arizona State product only helped his stock this past weekend.
After coming in at an official measurement of 6-foot-4 and 318 pounds, with 33 7/8-inch arms and a wingspan of 81 6/8 inches, Wren showed the athleticism behind his great size that makes him such a coveted prospect.
He had a 5.01 second 40-yard dash, 32-inch vertical jump, a 118-inch broad jump, 7.65 three-cone drill, and a 4.53 short shuttle. Despite a couple hiccups in the on-field drills where his feet got caught up in one another, Wren looked smooth.
At the moment, his game is solely based on his eye-popping get off and explosive first step to disrupt in order to get in the backfield. He will need to enhance his pass rush moves and work on his leverage, but the tools are there to develop into a valuable penetrating nose tackle, or three-technique.
Khalen Saunders | DT | Western Illinois
For a man of his size (6-foot and 320 pounds), Saunders can certainly scoot. He was clocked at 5.01 seconds in the 40-yard dash, jumped a 30.5-inch vertical jump, followed by a 101-inch broad jump.
Saunders made his money during the on-field events though, where he flashed violent, quick hands in the bag drills and proved to be a fast and fluid mover with excellent body control throughout.
The Chargers could be seeking a penetrating nose tackle and the former Western Illinois fits the mold of a fast and physical presence up front, who could be picked up in Rounds 2 or 3.
Devin Bush | LB | Michigan
Everyone knew that Bush could fly when watching his tape, but no one was expecting the show that he put on. He showed that size does not defy the player.
Bush ran a 4.43 40-yard dash, which ranked as No. 2 overall. He also turned in the highest vertical jump at 40.5 inches among players in his position group. Other tests that he crushed were the three-cone drill (6.83), short shuttle (4.23) and bench press (21).
His performance confirms his exceptional sideline-to-sideline range. If he interviewed well, Bush would have likely convinced teams that he’s ready to be a stout piece in the middle of a defense. If the former Michigan product slides, it should come as no surprise if the Chargers have his name on the card.
Blake Cashman | LB | Minnesota
A relative unknown, Cashman gave NFL decision makers who might have thought of him as a special teams contributor at the next level something more to think about.
Cashman posted an 124-inch broad jump, 4.12 second short shuttle, 4.50 second 40-yard dash and a 37.5-inch vertical jump.
The former Minnesota product served as a special teamer and backup for the first three seasons, but emerged as one of the top linebackers in the Big 10. Cashman posted 104 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and five passes defended as a senior.
His outstanding play speed, toughness and football IQ could garner the attention of the Chargers early on Day 3 as a key backup with the ability to become a starter, who would offer versatility at the Will and Mike.
Isaiah Johnson | CB | Houston
Standing at a good looking 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds, Johnson showed elite athletic traits being a former wide receiver. Johnson ran an impressive 4.40 40-yard dash. He then posted a 6.81 three-cone drill, 11-foot-1 broad jump and 4.06 short shuttle. Johnson was smooth during the on-field drills to conclude his day.
Johnson looks the part of a Gus Bradley corner, especially in his Cover 3 scheme. He has high-end traits and the look of a potential press nightmare on the outside, with great long speed, quickness, and the physicality to match up with the bigger wide receivers in the NFL.
Although he is raw, having only 22 games under his belt at the position, Johnson could become an excellent corner with some refinement to his game.
Jordan Brown | CB | South Dakota State
Brown was a player nobody was talking about until the Senior Bowl.
After showing some promise going up against the nation’s top wide receivers, Brown came into Indy hoping to turn some heads for those that weren’t aware of. It’s safe to say he caught the attention of NFL teams after this week.
Brown’s workout included a 4.51 second 40-yard dash, 39-inch vertical, and 10-foot 8 inch broad jump. The former wideout isn’t the longest corner, but showed some of the smoothest hip, fluidity and ball skills in the on-field drills.
A perfect fit as an outside corner in Gus Bradley’s defense, Brown could likely intrigue Los Angeles as an early Day 3 selection.
Tyree Jackson | QB | Buffalo
Should the Chargers look to find a potential successor for Philip Rivers in this year’s draft, they might be taking a long look at Jackson.
Despite his large size (6-foot-7 and 249 pounds, Jackson showed elite athleticism by posting the second-best 40-yard dash time at his position Saturday by clocking in at 4.59 seconds officially. He also had the top vertical jump among quarterbacks at 34 1/2 inches and tied with Duke’s Daniel Jones for the longest broad jump at 10-0.
Jackson’s big arm was evident in the on-field drills as he was throwing bullets to his targets. He’s a raw product that will need to clean up his decision making and improve his lower body mechanics to enhance his accuracy. But Jackson is exactly the type of quarterback that coach Anthony Lynn might want to bring in, one that’s mobile.
Gary Jennings | WR | West Virginia
The Chargers will likely use one of their selections to address the wide receiver position with Tyrell Williams and Travis Benjamin’s future with the team at question. Jennings proved throughout a college that he’s a similar type of player between the two.
At 6-foot-1 and 217 pounds, Jennings ran a blistering 4.42 40-yard dash and jumped out of the gym with a 37-inch vertical leap.
At the Senior Bowl, it matched what was displayed in Indy. Jennings displayed strong deep speed and the ability to come down with tough catches thanks in part to his leaping ability.
Expected to rise up boards, if Jennings is there on Day 3, then Los Angeles should strongly consider the former Mountaineer.
