The Chargers released Jahleel Addae on Saturday, which means that there will be another hole to fill this offseason. While they could go with finding one in free agency as this year’s group is littered with top-tier players, they could elect to go with addressing the position in the draft.
With that, we have listed six players that Los Angeles could be giving a hard look ranging from the first round to Day 3 in the 2019 NFL draft.
Nasir Adderley | Delaware
Adderley was a four-year starter at Delaware – first at cornerback before switching to safety the final two seasons.
Adderley has the natural athletic ability and instincts to man the deep third of the field. He possesses very good range with silky smooth hips, ball skills and closing ability when the ball is in the air. He does well to read the quarterback’s eyes and move with them. He plays disciplined and under control, understands his coverage responsibilities.
Adderley usually comes up with the ball when given a chance to make a play on it. As a run defender, the former Delaware product diagnoses play type and direction quickly. He closes down space with strong angles and impressive closing speed.
Overall, Adderley displays the type of instinctive, athleticism .
Deionte Thompson | Alabama
Thompson took over a full-time starting role this season as a redshirt junior and was named a first team All-American.
On film, Thompson flies around the field hunting the football. He’s got great speed and acceleration which allows him to cover a great amount of range. Thompson is quick-footed and fluid through the hips. He has no trouble getting out of breaks of flipping his hips to turn and run.
Thompson is a feisty tackler that comes out of nowhere to make plays. He shows no fear taking on bigger players and has a real knack for the ball, though he has the tendency to be a bit out of control when coming down at times.
Overall, Thompson will need to improve on his technique and mental processing, as he can be bite in coverage leaving his zone by tracking the quarterback’s eyes. But he the makings of another successful former Alabama defensive back in the NFL. that would be a perfect fit for the Chargers.
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson | Florida
Gardner-Johnson has quickly emerged as one of the top safety prospects in this year’s draft after having a down year in 2017. A premium athlete, Gardner-Johnson plays with the quick-twitch movements to stay hip-to-hip with receivers when played in the slot and the range to cover every inch of the field.
His athletic profile and developing instincts are what the Chargers secondary need, but his eye discipline and cover technique are both areas that require attention, often getting crossed up or allowing too much spacing in coverage on film. As a run defender, Gardner-Johnson shows the heart and toughness to play big boy football downhill with the willingness to leave a huge blow, but he will leave his feet early at times.
Overall, Gardner-Johnson has the athleticism and fearlessness, play-disruption skills with the way he reads and flies around the field that translate to a versatile player in the NFL, but would make out to be a nice free safety for Los Angeles.
Juan Thornill | Virginia
Thornhill has the natural athletic ability and instincts to standout. Playing the overhang role in the slot at Virgina, Thornhill possesses the range and closing ability when the ball is in the air. He plays disciplined and under control, understanding his coverage responsibilities.He usually comes up with the ball when given a chance to make a play on it.
As a run defender, Thornhill diagnoses play type and direction quickly. He closes down space with strong angles and impressive closing speed to make physical fits, even though his technique can lack at times when attempting to make a play.
Overall, a converted cornerback, Thornhill is a rangy athlete with ideal processing skills and a strong understanding of coverage concepts, projecting as a Cover 3 free safety, which would make out to be a smooth transition, if selected by the Chargers.
Marquise Blair | Utah
On film, Blair is one of the most violent defensive backs studied in the last couple of years. He is a player that loves to come up and make plays with viciousness. Although it can bite him, as he’ll also miss some tackles and play over-aggressive in pursuit.
In coverage, he’s adept at reading and reacting to the quarterback’s eyes. He flows to the play quickly and his anticipation allows him to get in position to make a play on the ball or a swift tackle. When the ball is in the air, he generally takes precise angles, not allowing receivers to get behind him. He has the eye-popping hash to sideline range the Bolts need at the position.
At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, Blair is a proven player who wouldn’t need to be taken early on, making him a sneaky selection that could man the single-high position.
Evan Worthington | Colorado
Standing at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Worthington’s chiseled build and the athleticism to match up with tight ends in man coverage might suggest one for a strong safety, but his play his suited more as a free safety at the next level.
Worthington is a smart, instinctive safety that allows his eyes to take him to the ball. He excels playing in zone coverage and has excellent over the top range. He’s at his best when the play is in front of him, so he can get early breaks to put him in a good position. Worthington is a willing participant in run defense ranging from his deep safety position to run the alley or fill on the perimeter.
The former Colorado product will need to improve on his mental processing skills, as he can get caught guessing more so than none. Worthington can also show as a poor tackler, taking bad angles to the football.
Nonetheless, he shows the traits to be a good safety for the Chargers by Year 2 or 3 that can be found in the later rounds.
