The pre-draft process leading up to the 2024 NFL draft is headed to Mobile, AL, for the Senior Bowl. This event is one of the biggest college football all-star games featuring the country’s most prolific prospects.
This week will draw the attention of many Chargers’ scouts to do their homework on players that could potentially be suitors for Los Angeles come April.
L.A. has selected 16 players in the past four years that have participated in the Senior Bowl, including Justin Herbert.
It all starts with three days of practice and, finally, the game on Saturday.
That said, here are six potential targets to keep an eye out for on the defensive side of the ball.
CB Kalen King, Penn State
The Chargers will be in the market for more corners this offseason. Michael Davis will be a free agent. Asante Samuel Jr. made some great plays in coverage but also made some crucial mistakes and struggled against the run.
It’s worth noting that there were Chargers representatives at six Penn State games this past season, so there is a strong possibility that King could be on their radar.
King did not have as good of a 2023 season as his 2022 campaign, when he recorded 18 passes defended and three interceptions. Even though he doesn’t have the desired size for the position, King has the hips, speed, and instincts that should translate to the pro level.
EDGE Adisa Isaac, Penn State
Another Nittany Lion!
There is a good chance that with their cap situation, Joey Bosa or Khalil Mack might not be a Charger next season. If that’s the case, they could be in the market for a talented edge defender to pair with Tuli Tuipulotu for the foreseeable future.
A well-rounded player at the position with great size at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Isaac has refined pass-rush ability and strength in the run game. He finished the season with 31 quarterback pressures, 7.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon
Jackson is a great-sized corner with his 6-foot-3 and 203-pound frame and 32-inch arms. He plays to his size, using his length in coverage. Jackson has fluid hips, transition ability, and man coverage skills that teams covet at the cornerback position. He is also a willing tackler.
Jackson, a transfer from Alabama, played one season for the Ducks, but immediately he established himself as one of Oregon’s best defenders. In 2023, Jackson allowed a sub-50% completion percentage while notching seven passes defended and three interceptions.
DT Tyler Davis, Clemson
The Chargers need some help along the interior part of the defensive line. Sebastian Joseph-Day was released. Austin Johnson and Nick Williams will be free agents. As it stands, the positional group is pretty thin.
Despite being slightly undersized for the position at 6-foot-1 and 299 pounds, Davis has the quick get-off, active hands, strength at the point of attack, and run-defending ability teams desire in interior defensive linemen.
Across five seasons, Davis amassed 145 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 16 sacks and three passes defended.
DB Javon Bullard, Georgia
The safety position will undergo some retooling. Alohi Gilman will be a free agent and JT Woods has been nonexistent in his first two seasons. Bringing in a versatile piece like Bullard could go a long way to sharpening up the positional group.
While he is lacking prototypical measurements at 5-foot-10 and 197 pounds, Bullard makes up for it with a fierce play style on the field. He is an instinctive and athletic safety, who makes plays from all over the field and arrives at the ball with aggression, both at the catch point and against the run.
LB Trevin Wallace, Kentucky
The linebacker room needs some retooling. Kenneth Murray will be a free agent. Eric Kendricks could be a cap casualty.
A member of The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman’s Freak List, Wallace was reported to run 22 MPH on the GPS and vertical jump 38.5 inches. His power clean is now up to 380 and he squats almost 600.
On the field, Wallace is a rangy backer with the movement skills, coupled with the speed to play sideline to sideline.
This season, Wallace finished the year with 69 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, one interception and one forced fumble.
