The first day of on-field workouts at the Senior Bowl did not disappoint. A handful of edge defenders, defensive tackles and linebackers put on a show at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.
Here are five players who could be on the Chargers’ radar that increased their stock with eye-opening demonstrations of athleticism.
EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia
If the Chargers want to address the edge defender position in the first round, Smith should be high on their draft board. That is if he is still available. Smith drew some pause when he came in at a light 238 pounds. However, it wasn’t long after when Smith silenced those in question when he took the field to test. Smith jumped out of the gym, posting a 41.5″ vertical and 10’8″ broad. Soon after, he zoomed down the turf, finishing with a blazing 4.39-second 40-yard dash. His size shouldn’t be a concern, and when you turn on his tape, there are plenty of explosive plays, like what he displayed on Thursday.
DL Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern
Adebawore first caught my attention at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL, last month, where he was a standout in the trenches. Then, he carried that momentum of dominance over to Indianapolis, showcasing his immense athleticism. Checking in at 6-foot-2 and 282-pounds, Adebawore posted a 4.54 40-yard dash, a 1.61 10-yard split, a 37.5′ vertical, and a 10’5″ on the broad jump. Before today, the fastest 40-time at the combine since 2000 by a player over 280 pounds was by Aaron Donald (4.68 seconds). Adebawore is a versatile defender who can play up and down the defensive line, but he would be best suited along the interior in the Morgan Fox role as a pass rush specialist.
EDGE Will McDonald, Iowa State
Another edge defender who could be in consideration for the Chargers’ first-round pick is McDonald. McDonald came down with a fever close to 104 degrees on Tuesday evening. Despite being sick and losing weight over the last 48 hours, he still worked out on Thursday and had an eye-popping 11-foot broad jump, which ranked second among all defensive linemen and linebackers and third among edge rushers since 2009. Additionally, McDonald had a 36-inch vertical and looked silky smooth and loose during the on-field drills.
EDGE Byron Young, Tennessee
Young posted an eye-popping 4.43 in the 40-yard dash. Additionally, he had a 38-inch vertical and led all edge defenders in the broad jump (11’0″). That athleticism shows up on tape, as Young has a quick first-step explosion and speed and when he pursues ball carriers or passers outside of the pocket. The Chargers heavily factor in familiarity when adding players to the roster. There is a connection as defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley recruited Young out of Georgia Military College, and he was his DC. Young could be in consideration in the third or fourth round.
LB Dorian Williams, Tulane
If Drue Tranquill walks in free agency, the Chargers could resort to the draft to add more players in the positional room. Williams caught my eye on tape and he only further raised my eyebrows when he tested. Williams came in with the second-longest arms among the linebacker (33 3/4″), and posted a 4.49-second 40-yard dash and 33.5-inch vertical and 10 feet broad jump. Williams would be an ideal target on Day 3 of the draft.
