The 2019 NFL Combine is just around the corner. The event is a useful tool for player evaluation, and some teams put more stock in it than others. It is a big opportunity for prospects to showcase their athleticism and skillset through a series of tests, including the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump and on-field drills.
With that, we have compiled a list of five players all Chargers fans must watch in Indianapolis next weekend, in addition to a handful of others Los Angeles could be targeting in the 2019 NFL draft.
Below are the five players to keep an eye on:
Yodny Cajuste | West Virgina | OT
The offensive tackle position is a glaring need for the Chargers, and former West Virginia offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste should be on their board at the end of the first-round, even though he graded out as a third rounder. With his basketball background, the athleticism is evident. He plays with long arms, coordinated feet and body movements in pass protection.
Aside from the field, Cajuste bench presses 495 pounds and deadlifts 735. His 1.65 10-yard split last offseason would have topped Raiders’ Kolton Miller’s 1.67 at the NFL combine this year and would have beaten any time in the previous three years in Indianapolis. On top of that, Cajuste has measured with a 9-foot-2 broad jump.
Khalen Saunders | Western Illinois | DT
It doesn’t come around that often where you see someone standing at 320 pounds doing back-flips. Prior to the Senior Bowl, Saunders showed the world that he’s capable of doing so. Aside from that, his movement skills and quickness were very enticing.
His stock should rise after a strong showing for the Leathernecks as well as the opportunity to display his athleticism. This should get him second-round consideration from the Chargers along with the majority of the other teams in need of an athletic defensive tackle.
Renell Wren | Arizona State | DT
Wren entered the 2018 season as an unknown prospect to many people. It was until he started to produce film, showcasing an eye-popping first step and burst off the ball to bully blockers in the backfield, specifically against Michigan State.
At the Senior Bowl, he showed an absolutely stacked frame at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds. He fared well against the top interior offensive linemen. Wren also posted stout weight room numbers for the Sun Devils, squatting 600 pounds and bench-pressing 400. One of the bigger risers, it’s unlikely that Wren slips past the third-round in April and could fill a void for the Chargers, as they’re in need of a three-technique.
Isaiah Johnson | Houston | CB
Johnson is a converted wide receiver who possesses a tall, long frame NFL teams covet in their cornerbacks (6-foot-3, 199 pounds). His cover and tackling technique are still a bit rough around the edges, but his size, fluid movement ability and speed are all positive traits. Johnson will likely excel at the positional drills, and should put up a good 40-yard time. The former Houston product could get the Chargers’ attention in rounds three or four.
Parris Campbell | Ohio State | WR
The Chargers will likely be in need of another deep threat if they opt to let wide receivers Travis Benjamin and Tyrell Williams go this offseason. If they choose to go that route, former Ohio State wideout Parris Campbell should be on their radar in the middle-late rounds.
Campbell is the Buckeye pass-catcher who should light up the combine. The six-foot, 208-pound showed breakaway speed to burn cornerbacks week in and week out. His wheels will be on full display in Indy as well as his leaping ability. This past offseason he posted a vertical jump of 40 inches and broad jump of 11-foot-3.
Others To Watch
Andre Dillard | Washington State | OT
Dre’Mont Jones | Ohio State | DL
Christian Wilkins | Clemson | DT
Jahlani Tavai | Hawaii | LB
Joejuan Williams | Vanderbilt | CB
Marquise Blair | Utah | FS
