LA Chargers: The only two positions that definitely won’t be drafted
By Jason Reed
2. Safety
The Los Angeles Chargers have selected a safety in the high rounds of the NFL Draft in the last two seasons and will not make it a third season in a row. The team took Derwin James, who slipped way too far in the draft, with the 17th pick in 2018 and selected Nasir Adderley in the second round in 2019.
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James had a great rookie season in which he was named a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro. His versatility to play all over the field and literally line up against any position makes him one of the most talented and versatile safeties in the league.
Adderley put a lot of good film out there in college and is a ball-hawking safety that would be perfect as a lurker playing zone coverage behind the cornerbacks. He is someone who, paired with James, could be an interception machine in the secondary.
The only free-agent safety is Adrian Phillips and the Chargers should look to bring him back as he is a massive contributor on special teams — so much so that he was an All-Pro for it in 2018 — and is versatile like James and can line up anywhere on the defense in certain packages.
We are not even mentioning Rashawn Jenkins and Roderick Teamer, both of which are great depth pieces to come in in nickel and dime packages.
Outside of safety and defensive tackle, you could make the case for the LA Chargers to draft at any other position. They could ues a running back to pair with Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson, a third wide receiver, a tight end if Hunter Henry leaves and most definitely the offensive line.
Defensive end could be a need for the reasons already outlined, the team could use one more corner and some linebacker help to plan for the long-term after Denzel Perryman and Thomas Davis.
Safety and defensive tackle. Those are the only positions that will not be touched in the 2020 NFL Draft by the LA Chargers.