Chargers Draft Stock Watch: Senior Bowl edition
By Steven Haglund
Stock Up: Troy Pride Jr
At this particular Senior Bowl we didn’t get to see tier-one corners like Jefferey Okudah or Kristian Fulton. Instead, this particular collection of cornerbacks featured a large group of players vying for positioning in the second tier of the group.
Many had some assumptions of who would rise to the top but it ended up being Notre Dame corner Troy Pride Jr. He made quite the impression and many pegged him as the best defensive back in Mobile.
Pride is savvy in coverage and physical at the line of scrimmage. He consistently made life difficult for the receivers in Mobile with his great technique. For good measure, he even got an interception after Uche forced a bad throw from Colorado quarterback Steven Montez.
He would be a perfect fit in the Chargers defensive scheme, and his tape is actually a little reminiscent of current Chargers corner, Casey Hayward.
Stock Down: Calvin Throckmorton
Oregon offensive linemen Calvin Throckmorton started a lot of games at right tackle for the Ducks and really excelled. He was one of the better linemen in the Pac 12 conference this past season.
Unfortunately, there have been questions about where he belongs in the NFL. He got his first crack of playing guard at the Shrine Bowl two weeks ago and really struggled with the strength and physicality of interior defensive lineman that week.
He did, however, show enough mobility to inspire enough confidence that he could grow into the role of guard at the next level. Then he was a late addition to the Senior Bowl in Mobile this week where they threw him to the opposite side at left tackle. It did not go well.
Almost every edge rusher that lined up against him seemed to have a sack in the game today. To be fair he has played right tackle most of his football career and switching positions like that in back to back weeks is extremely difficult and it showed.
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Stock Up: Ben Bartch
I think it’s safe to say most people aren’t familiar with this name. It was certainly a surprise seeing an offensive tackle from Division III Saint John’s. And unfortunately he was injured in practice so he did not get to play in the game.
Whenever there is a small school prospect that goes to these events there are always questions of whether or not they can keep up with the speed and physicality of the bigger school athletes. Not only did Bartch answer those questions, he actually dominated down in Mobile.
He is a former tight end and showed that athleticism off all week. Repetitions like the one below seemed to be the norm for the former D-3 star. With that kind of mobility and technique, it’s clear he has all the tools to be a successful NFL offensive tackle.
Ben Barth is so smooth. Easily the best South offensive lineman, and may be the best tackle from the past two days. His footwork is beautiful – lateral range and quickness in his kickslide to protect the corner and physical at the point of the attack. pic.twitter.com/1T3coSX3Qr
— Gavino Borquez (@GavinoBorquez) January 23, 2020
Stock Up: Kyle Dugger
Another smaller school prospect, this one is safety Kyle Dugger from Lenoir Rhyne. He showed off great ball skills and versatility throughout practice this week.
As an added bonus, he excels as a punt returner too. Scouts seemed to be really impressed with how he was able to keep up with the speed and physicality of the players from the bigger schools. As far as ball-hawking safeties go, he proved to be worth a look in the middle rounds this year.