The Chargers added seven new members throughout the course of the weekend in the 2019 NFL draft. Following the event itself, they notched an additional 19 undrafted free agents, who will all be fighting for a roster spot.
Los Angeles has had a great amount of success on bringing in hidden gems that went undrafted, including safety Adrian Phillips, tight end Antonio Gates and running back Austin Ekeler.
With that, here are three that could see their names on the 53-man roster when the 2019 season rolls around.
Punter Tyler Newsome, Notre Dame
The Chargers brought in two former Notre Dame products in defensive tackle Jerry Tillery and linebacker Drue Tranquill, and punter Tyler Newsome could be the next from the program to be on the roster.
The only other member on the active roster that he will be competing with is Ty Long since Donnie Jones is currently a free agent. Not only does Newsome have the sweet hair going for him, but his résumé is promising of being the next punter for Los Angeles.
Newsome owns several records at Notre Dame including career punt average (44.0) and single-game punt average (59.6 vs. Vanderbilt in 2018). Newsome also landed 75 of his 225 punts inside the 20 while having 72 of them at least 50 yards.
Punters are people too, right? Well, Newsome also amassed 30 bench press reps at his Pro Day, which was better than most players at other positions.
DT Eurndraus Bryant, North Carolina State
The Chargers addressed the defensive tackle position in the draft with Jerry Tillery and Cortez Broughton. Both Tillery and Broughton will solely be playing the three-technique along with Justin Jones, which means that they need to bring in an additional nose tackle to play behind Brandon Mebane and T.Y. McGill.
Eurndraus Bryant has the opportunity to reunite with his former collegiate teammate in Jones. Based on the film alone, Bryant could be the space-eater that many fans were hoping that the team was going to get in the draft.
The 6-foot-1 and 330 pounder posted 25 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Bryant posted a 80.2 defense grade, 85.8 run defense grade and had zero missed tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.
G Chris Brown, USC
The Chargers addressed the offensive tackle position in the draft with Trey Pipkins, but didn’t add any interior offensive lineman, which is where they’re lacking in terms of depth. One player that had been playing in their backyard who has a strong chance to fulfill that is former USC guard Chris Brown.
Brown started all 14 games at left guard in 2017, picking up USC’s Offensive Lineman of the Year Award and an All-Pac-12 honorable mention. In 2018, Brown returned for his senior season and was USC’s most consistent lineman. He nabbed the Trojans’ Offensive Lineman of the Year Award again as well as an All-Pac-12 first team from Pro Football Focus.
If he makes the team, Brown would be able to play behind Dan Feeney and would have a strong opportunity to serve as the team’s No. 2 over Spencer Drango in his first season as a pro.
