Valentine’s Day is here, and love is in the air.
Some of you are celebrating the day with your significant other, but some are without a Valentine, like me. So today, I’d like to reveal who I have a crush on.
I’m talking about some NFL draft prospects whose tape I enjoyed watching, and that would make sense for the Chargers when they’re on the clock in April.
With that, let’s see who’s drawn my attention.
WR Roman Wilson, Michigan
My dream scenario for the Chargers with the No. 5 overall selection is drafting LSU’s Malik Nabers. But if they go in a different direction, there will be plenty of good receivers to target on Day 2, including Wilson.
Despite being smaller at 5-foot-10 and 186 pounds, Wilson plays tough for his size as he is strong at the catch point with good hands and body control. But the most attractive aspect of his game is his track speed to run right through coverage.
Wilson recorded 23 catches of 15-plus yards with a 14.1-yard average depth of target in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus. He finished his final season for the Wolverines with 48 catches for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns.
RB Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
The Chargers are going to put a significant emphasis on the running game. Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley are free agents. Isaiah Spiller is the only running back on the roster. Allen would be an excellent fit for Roman’s gap/power scheme.
Similar to Packers’ AJ Dillon, Allen is a big and physical back at 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds with good vision, patience, and contact balance, thriving as a downhill runner. For someone his size, Allen changes direction well in the open space and can catch the ball out of the backfield.
Allen finished his Wisconsin career with 3,494 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns on 597 attempts. He just turned 20 years old, so there is still plenty of gas left in the tank.
TE Tip Reiman, Illinois
Part of the reason why the Chargers couldn’t run the ball as efficiently the past couple of seasons was because the tight ends lacked the ability to block. With Greg Roman’s offense, they will run the ball and the tight ends will play a role in creating running lanes.
Reiman is arguably the best blocker in this year’s tight-end class. He is a willing blocker and does so with intensity and high effort. He’s a smart player, using his strength and angles to wall off defenders from the runner.
While he wasn’t used that much in Illinois’ passing game, finishing with 41 catches for 420 yards and five touchdowns across four seasons, Reiman possesses intriguing receiving traits, with the speed and the ability to separate for someone 6-foot-4 and 273 pounds.
CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon
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.
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 impressive 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 he immediately 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 Justin Eboigbe, Alabama
The Chargers need some help along the interior part of the defensive line. Sebastian Joseph-Day was released this past season. Austin Johnson and Nick Williams will be free agents. As it stands, the positional group is pretty thin.
The 6-foot-5 and 292-pound Eboige is a traditional Alabama interior defender who is tough and well-built with the strength to hold up against the run and is explosive and technically versed to disrupt the quarterback. In addition, he is versatile, having played all across the defensive front.
Eboigbe was a key contributor for the Crimson Tide before a neck injury derailed his 2022 season. He followed it up with a breakout campaign before declaring for the draft, recording 63 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, and a pass defended.
S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech
The Chargers need more playmakers on the back end of the defense, as Alohi Gilman will be a free agent and former third-round JT Woods has been nonexistent in his first two seasons.
Taylor-Demerson is an exceptional athlete with great range, closing speed and instincts to read the quarterback and make plays on the football. Furthermore, he is a great blitzer.
Taylor-Demerson was top-10 in the Big 12 with four interceptions in 2023. He finished his career with 224 tackles, ten interceptions, 33 passes defended and two forced fumbles.
