Chargers: Jerry Tillery vs 2019 NFL Draft class so far

By Tyler Schoon

Nov 9, 2019

CARSON, CA - NOVEMBER 03: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers dives past Thomas Davis #58 and Jerry Tillery #99 of the Los Angeles Chargers for a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter at Dignity Health Sports Park on November 3, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) Chargers won 26-11. /

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: A video board displays an image of Jerry Tillery of Notre Dame after he was chosen #28 overall by the Los Angeles Chargers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

The Chargers took Jerry Tillery with the 28th overall selection. How does he hold up against other members of the 2019 NFL Draft?

Jerry Tillery’s start to the NFL has been rough, and prior to Week 10, No. 99 had the second-worst Pro Football Focus grade for rookie first-round draft selections. The Chargers took him with the hopes of turning their starting defensive line into a pass-rushing monster, but so far only Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa have been playing at a high level.

Earlier in the season, many asked if it was time to panic on Tillery, and some labeled him a bust after just a few games. Fans should have neither panicked nor given him that label, but there certainly is much more pressure when he’s a first-round pick with the team a year removed from drafting Derwin James in the same round (11 spots earlier) in 2018.

Now, following Week 10, there is an abundance of snaps, stats, and game film on Tillery, and the same goes for his draft class peers.

This article is going to take a look at how he compares to three different groups: Defensive tackles taken ahead of him, defensive tackles taken after him, and offensive linemen who were available at No. 28.