1 stat to know about each of Chargers’ draft picks
The Chargers came away with an impressive haul of draft picks last weekend.
We picked out one stat to know about each of the Bolts’ draft picks from their collegiate career. These numbers should make supporters feel even more intrigued about the incoming rookie class.
OT Rashawn Slater
355 snaps, 5 quarterback pressures, 0 sacks allowed in 2019
Slater didn’t play in 2020 since he opted out prior to the season, but the year before that was all he needed to solidify himself as a first-round talent. In his first season protecting the blindside, Slater was a wall against elite competition, with the likes of Chase Young (Football Team), Zack Baun (Saints), AJ Epenesa (Bills) and Kenny Willekes (Vikings).
CB Asante Samuel, Jr.
More passes defended (33) than games played (32) in college
There are a ton of cornerbacks that went drafted this year and are already in the league with more of an immense physical profile than Samuel Jr. but very few have the same caliber of cover skills, instincts and ball awareness to fill up the stat sheet like he does.
WR Josh Palmer
14-of-14 in catching the “catchable balls” against elite competition
The Vol’s offense did not do Palmer any favors and he rarely got targeted because of it. But when he was targeted, he made the most of his opportunities, showing up against some elite cornerback prospects, including Jaycee Horn, Patrick Surtain II, Tyson Campbell, Eric Stokes and Kelvin Joseph. Out of the 14, 11 went for first downs, four touchdowns, and 16 yards per reception.
TE Tre’ McKitty
Never surpassed 70 yards receiving in any of his 42 career games
Go ahead and label McKitty strictly as a blocker all you want, but the lack production in the receiving game should not reflect how he’s going to be in the pros. He has shown glimpses of becoming a receiving threat, given his athleticism, ability to separate at the top of routes, a frame and great hands to reel in everything thrown his way along with impressive power and contact balance to gain yards after the catch.
EDGE Chris Rumph II
20% pressure rate
Whenever Rumph was on the field, one out five times he was either hurrying, hitting, knocking down or sacking the quarterback. While he will need to get into an weight room to add strength to hold up against NFL offensive linemen and benefit in the run game, Rumph has the athleticism, bend, range and motor to be a top-notch pass rusher in this league.
OT Brenden Jaimes
40 games started
Starting a school-record 40 games for the Cornhuskers, Jaimes saw the field for 473 snaps this past season without allowing a single sack or hit, and just four hurries. Durability is key and Jaimes exemplified that in college. If he keeps that same kind of consistency in the NFL, he could eventually become a starter, most likely inside at guard.
LB Nick Niemann
Averaged 9.6 tackles per game in 2020
This ranked fifth in the Big Ten in tackles per game. At his best against the run, rarely would you ever see a ball carrier get past Niemann as he possesses a strong upper-body to keep everything in front of him. That will carry over well on special teams, where he projects to be an asset early on.
RB Larry Rountree III
1.4 touchdowns per game
If Missouri was playing, Rountree was scoring. In 48 games, he rushed for 3,720 yards and 40 touchdowns, averaging five yards per carry. Not only is he going to be a contributor in pass protection, Rountree should help pick up first downs and win at the goal line due to his toughness and body control to bounce off defenders.
S Mark Webb
82% of snaps came in slot
This marked the most out of any other safeties this past season. Webb had responsibilities of the “STAR” position for Georgia, where he lined up over the slot receiver – which is a spot that Brandon Staley covets.
