It’s Saturday, which means we are back with our second edition of The Scouting Notebook.
The Scouting Notebook will feature prospects to keep an eye on when the majority of the college games take place. While some may think it’s too early to start talking 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 six prospects to watch for in Week 3.
CB Paulson Adebo, Stanford
Cornerbacks Casey Hayward and Desmond King are locked in for a few more years, but the future with Trevor Williams and Michael Davis remains to be seen. The cornerback position is one that the Chargers could elect to go with early on, and Adebo should be near the top of their list.
Last season, Adebo co-led the nation in passes defensed (24) and posted four interceptions. Through two games, he has been one of the best cornerbacks in the country, posting a team-leading 13 tackles, five passes defensed and one pick, as he is eager to solidify his first-round status in the 2020 NFL draft.
Standing at 6-foot-1 and 184 pounds, Adebo has the height, length and athleticism to match up with any wide receiver. He is at his best when using his bail technique, but he is effective at the line of scrimmage in press. He flashes the ability to high-point the football and has the willingness to make plays in the run game.
Today, Adebo will have a nice test against UCF wide receiver Gabriel Davis, who is averaging 27.7 yards per receptions and has scored a pair of touchdowns. That matchup can be seen at 12:30 p.m. PT on ESPN.
RB Eno Benjamin, Arizona State
The future with running back Melvin Gordon remains to be seen, and Austin Ekeler showed last weekend against the Colts that he can handle the full load as RB1. But that doesn’t mean the Chargers aren’t going to consider a running back early on, especially if Gordon doesn’t return next season.
Benjamin is an ideal candidate to join a backfield that consists of Ekeler and second-year Justin Jackson.
Despite getting off to a slow start this season, Benjamin is arguably one of the best running backs in the country. Last season, he rushed for a whopping 1,642 yards and 16 touchdowns on 300 carries (5.5 yards per carry).
Standing at 5-foot-9 and 205 pounds, Benjamin wins with lateral agility, quickness, burst and a deadly spin move to shake off defenders. The Arizona State running back will be tasked with running past a Michigan State run defense that has allowed -6 rushing yards through two games.
That game will begin at 1:00 p.m. ET and will be televised on FOX.
OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
The offensive tackle position is arguably one of the biggest question marks going into next off season. It’s uncertain how much longer Russell Okung will play, and Trent Scott or Sam Tevi are not the long-term answer.
If the Chargers wish to address the position in the first-round, Thomas, who’s being touted as the best offensive tackle in this year’s class, could take a tumble, assuming Los Angeles will be picking towards the end of the first.
Thomas is coming off being named an Associated Press Second-Team All-American selection last season. The 6-foot-5 and 320 pound offensive tackle has made 28 starts the past two season, 15 at right tackle and 13 at left tackle.
Thomas is an excellent pass protector and run blocker who possesses great size, length and overall technique to grow into a very reliable blindside blocker at the next level.
Today, he will be facing a small-school stud, Arkansas State edge rusher William Bradley-King at 9 a.m. PT on ESPN.
Rest of the Group
TE Matt Bushman, BYU
Injuries have continued to hit tight end Hunter Henry and Virgil Green is going to become a free agent soon, leaving the Chargers in contention for a player at the position in the middle rounds.
After a quiet 2018 campaign, Bushman is off to a solid start this season. Bushman will be matched up with USC linebacker John Houston this evening.
The BYU product has a large catch radius, soft hands, and enough speed to result in a balanced in-line tight end combined with his great blocking skills for the Bolts.
DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
The Chargers did a nice job adding Jerry Tillery and Cortez Broughton this off season, but the depth is still concerning, and it was evident in the regular season opener, as they were gashed for 203 yards on the ground.
Already with two sacks this season, Kinlaw is a versatile defensive tackle who wins with his hand combat, quickness and explosion, who also has good range and is stout versus the run.
The South Carolina product will look to continue his dominance against an Alabama interior offensive line, which just so happens to be their weakness.
CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama
Aside from Kinlaw, The Crimson Tide will have a player that should garner the attention of Chargers scouts on Saturday.
Diggs, the younger brother of Vikings’ Stefon Diggs, is coming off a short but solid 2018 season that resulted in six passes defensed and an interception in six games.
Diggs will have a tough matchup against South Carolina wideout Bryan Edwards, but he will look to win the battle, utilizing his speed, physicality and reactive athleticism.
