Chargers: Jerry Tillery vs 2019 NFL Draft class so far

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SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 29: Jerry Tillery #99 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks on during pregame warm ups prior to the start of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Chargers: With the 28th pick, in the 2019 NFL Draft…

Tillery, through 10 games, has the following numbers:

107 run defense snaps, 138 pass rush snaps
Six solo tackles, four run stops
Eight total pressures, 1.5 sacks
37.4 overall grade

Out of all eight defensive tackles listed previously, on the fourth-most run and pass defense snaps, Tillery is seventh in solo tackles, seventh in run stops, fifth in total pressures, third in sacks, and eighth in overall grade.

Tillery was selected by the Chargers to rush the passer, and his run-stopping abilities were expected to be a work in progress. As a result, ranking second to last in solo tackles and run stops isn’t a surprise. In pass-rushing situations, Tillery has yet to reach double-digit pressures on the season despite playing 10 games.

Over his last three games, Tillery has registered just one quarterback pressure and no sacks, though it’s not due to reduced pass-rushing snaps. In fact, over those three games, two of them featured 20 pass-rushing snaps, a number he has exceeded just one other time this season.

There’s no questions the numbers are disappointing, as is the surprise of him playing just 13 total snaps against the Raiders on Thursday. However, although he has been a disappointment thus far, most are willing to give the late first-round pick more time to develop.

Here’s the problem: The issue most have with Tillery isn’t the player he is, but the position he isn’t: Offensive tackle.