It’s Saturday, which means we are back with our eighth edition of The Scouting Notebook.
The Scouting Notebook features prospects to keep an eye on when the majority of the college games take place. While some think it’s too early to talk about the 2020 NFL draft, there’s never a bad time to talk about the future of the Chargers.
With that being said, here are five prospects to watch for in Week 10.
LB Justin Strnad, Wake Forrest, #23, 9:00 a.m. PT, ESPN
General manager Tom Telesco wanted to make the point to upgrade the linebacker position this past offseason, but there hasn’t been that much improvement from last year’s group.
Rookie Drue Tranquill has been a standout, but he still has experienced some growing pains, Kyzir White hasn’t lived up to his expectations and Thomas Davis isn’t getting any younger and Denzel Perryman is stout against the run, but a liability in coverage.
Because of this, the Chargers could make a point to address the position again in the draft.
Strnad, a team captain for the Demon Deacons, has ideal length, key and diagnose skills and range to play the run and drop into coverage. He’s a high-effort player, which is something that Los Angeles looks for when evaluating prospects.
RB Lamical Perine, Florida, #2, 12:30 p.m. PT, CBS
Running back Melvin Gordon has half a season to prove that he’s worth offering an extension, but even then the chances of returning are slim based on what his asking price will likely still be.
Because of that, the Chargers will likely be in the market to solidify the position in the mid-rounds and Perine would be a nice addition to a backfield consisting of Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson.
At 5-foot-11 and 221 pounds, Perine is a tough downhill runner that wins with his pure physicality and balance. Another plus is that he is a solid blocker who can protect on third down and contribute in the short area passing game.
Today, Perine will face a tough Georgia Bulldogs defense.
OT Jared Hilbers, Washington, #70, 1:00 p.m. PT, FOX
There’s nothing that will suggest the Chargers can afford to go another offseason without making the offensive line a main focal point. Even though Russell Okung is back in the starting lineup, he isn’t going to play forever and Sam Tevi has his woeful moments in pass protection.
If Los Angeles doesn’t choose to address the position early on in the first couple rounds, they could find a starting caliber player in Hilbers in the middle rounds.
Hilbers, the 6-foot-7 and 317 pounder manned the left tackle position in 2018 while his teammate Trey Adams, who we’ve mentioned before as another potential prospect, sat out with a knee injury. Now locking up the right side, Hilbers wins with his length and ability to survive on an island in pass pro.
NFL scouts will have their eyes on Hilbers and Adams as they will tasked with blocking Utah’s Bradlee Anae, who’s viewed as a potential top-100 selection.
WR James Proche, SMU, #3, 4:30 p.m. PT, ABC
It’s almost certain that the Chargers will address the wide receiver position. Going into the season, there were concerns with the depth behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, and it’s become evident with the lack of receptions with the guys behind them.
Proche, the 6-foot and 195 pounder, doesn’t have the prototypical measurements like these other wideouts in this year’s class, but he plays bigger than the numbers suggest.
Proche is an explosive athlete who has great straight-line speed and has a big strike zone, showing the ability to go up and high-point the football and reel in 50-50 passes.
Already with 61 receptions for 692 yards and nine touchdowns, Proche will look to build on that and continue to draw the attention of pro scouts tonight against the No. 24 Memphis Tigers.
IOL Shane Lemieux, Oregon, #68, 5:00 p.m. PT, FOX
The Oregon Ducks have an offensive line with a lot of NFL talent, but a player that is more than bound to catch the attention of Chargers scouts is Lemieux, who is an easy plug-and-play interior offensive lineman.
Graded out as the No. 1 guard in the Pac-12 and No. 3 in the nation in 2018, Lemieux is an extremely polished player. He’s a dominant and technically developed guard who wins with his ability to locate his assignment with strength, attack angles, protect the quarterback and contribute in the screen game.
Lemieux will look to help his draft stock facing a USC team that’s loaded with young, but extremely talented interior defensive linemen.
