After a trio of practices, the 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl concluded on Saturday with the annual all-star game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Here are six potential Chargers targets who stood out in the showcase:
Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon
Herbert has already been mentioned as a player who shined earlier this week, but he’s on here again because he finished it off with a solid outing in live game action. The 6-foot-6 and 227 pound signal-caller finished 9-of-12 passing for 83 yards and one touchdown, as well as three carries for 22 yards, showing off his mobility. Not only did Herbert flash his live arm, but he took a leap in his vision and processing. The former Oregon product looked poised and in control of the offense in his only quarter of action. As a result, he was named the 2020 Senior Bowl MVP. Already a commonly mocked prospect to the Chargers with the No. 6 overall selection, he helped his case even more to potentially being the pick.
Joshua Kelley | RB | UCLA
Like Herbert, Kelley had a stout week of practices. But he topped off his impressive week with a great performance on Saturday. The 5-foot-10 and 214 pound back finished with 15 carries for 105 yards rushing. Kelley is a competitive, full-speed ahead ball carrier with the vision, lateral agility, contact balance, toughness receiving/blocking traits that project him as a reliable horse in the backfield. If the Chargers move on from Melvin Gordon, Kelley is a name to watch for as a replacement.
Josh Jones | OT | Houston
Arguably the best offensive tackle from this past week was Jones. Shining in one-on-one and team drills the first three days, it reflected in live game action. The 6-foot-5 and 311 pounder was a mirroring magician in pass protection and a people mover in the run blocking department. Jones is a coordinated mover, who has the length and initial punch to keep defenders out in front of him. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him taken in the back end of the first-round, but he should be at the top of the Chargers list if he’s still on the clock in Round 2. Jones is a plug-and-play right tackle with the ability to move over to the left side when Russell Okung is no longer with the team.
Damien Lewis | OG | LSU
All eyes were on Lewis’ teammate at LSU, center Lloyd Cushenberry going into this week. But it wasn’t long until Lewis made his presence known in the practices. Using his brute strength, functional athleticism, intelligence, Lewis kept pressure away from the interior for the majority of the afternoon and he helped contribute to 117 yards rushing. With the Chargers most likely looking to upgrade the guard position, the 6-foot-2 and 329 pounder would be a solid addition in Rounds 3 or 4.
Hakeem Adeniji | OL | Kansas
A player that didn’t receive as much attention as he should have for his great practices throughout the week is Adeniji. The former Jayhawk started 43 games at left tackle, but he was stapled to the guard position all week. The positional change didn’t affect the 6-foot-4 and 302 pounder one bit, as he looked comfortable facing interior defenders. Today, Adeniji held his own with his strong punch and wide base against speed or power. Along with his skillset, Adejini has the versatility that the Chargers covet at the position.
Troy Pride, Jr. | CB | Notre Dame
In a deep cornerback, Pride solidified himself as a top-10 player with his showings at the practices and the game. Pride showed speed, mirroring ability and spatial awareness to blanket receivers. The 5-foot-11 and 193 pound corner had a pick in the third-quarter, and even though it was a floater, it just demonstrates his ball skills. Pride would be a perfect zone defender for the Chargers, as he has a knack for reading and getting a feel for route concepts.
