Chargers select safety Rayshawn Jenkins in fourth round
By Travis Wakeman
With its fourth-round draft pick (No. 113 overall), the Los Angeles Chargers chose Miami safety Rayshawn Jenkins.
After passing on Malik Hooker in the first round, the Chargers were just biding their time to find the safety that fit their new defensive scheme. General manager Tom Telesco probably knew he could find a productive guy on day three, and that’s what he did.
Jenkins fits the role of the type of safety that defensive coordinator Gus Bradley loves. He has good size, is physical and quite aggressive. He finished his college career with 201 tackles and nine interceptions.
The Chargers will likely be content to start the season with Jahleel Addae and Dwight Lowery in the defensive backfield, but this guy is going to be in the mix at some point. In the meantime, expect to see him as a contributor on the special teams unit.
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The selection of Jenkins gives the Chargers seven safeties on the roster. In addition to Addae and Lowery, the team also has Darrell Stuckey, Dexter McCoil, Adrian Phillips and Adrian McDonald. At least one and maybe two of those last four names could be looking for work elsewhere next season.
The selection of Jenkins has Bradley written all over it. He could work wonders with this guy. That’s not to say that he’ll end up being Earl Thomas or Kam Chancellor, but this is a great value pick for where the Chargers were able to get him at.
We will have a full report card for all of the team’s picks right here following the draft.