Chargers News: Fans react to selecting Alohi Gilman
By Jason Reed
The Chargers news continued on Saturday as the team selected safety Alohi Gilman out of Notre Dame. Like several other selections in this draft, Gilman was not someone that Charger fans were necessarily expecting.
Safety was not viewed as one of the draft needs for the team heading into the draft, even with the loss of Adrian Phillips. If any position was going to be addressed in the secondary, many believed it would be the cornerback position.
It is rather fitting that the Chargers selected a safety from Notre Dame, as Chargers general manager Tom Telesco seemingly loves to take prospects out of university. Two prospects were out of Notre Dame last year and this is the fourth time in the last five years that someone from Notre Dame has been selected.
Chargers News: Fan reactions to the Los Angeles Chargers drafting Alohi Gilman
Reactions to late-round picks are not as polarizing as reactions to early-round picks, especially when the prospect in question is not someone who fans had been reading about before the draft. The first thing that some fans mentioned was that Gilman could be a replacement to Adrian Phillips, who signed with the New England Patriots this offseason.
Potential AP replacement
— Gage Cloud-Gibson (@UnCaged_Gage) April 25, 2020
Losing Phillips definitely stung a bit so I think this will help
— GlassCannon (@IllGiveYouACola) April 25, 2020
However, it still is a bit interesting as Desmond King was potentially slated to replace Phillips’ role on the defense. Gilman’s actual role with the team right now is unclear, although he could be an asset on special teams.
Ryan Dyrud agrees with that sentiment.
Depth and should be a good special teamer
— Ryan Dyrud (@RyanDyrudLAFB) April 25, 2020
It is safe to say that some fans were not as happy, however, the position was not viewed as a position of need and Gilman himself is rather unknown.
One position group that fans expected the team to address was the offensive line, which the team has not addressed at all. Prince Tega Wanagho is a raw talent with a lot of upside that was still available, and some wonder why he was not the selection.
Still no OL? Wanogho is right there
— Tom (@Bluejay12) April 25, 2020
Some fans simply do not have a favorable scouting report of Gilman or the things that he is going to bring to the table.
Worst pick of the draft.. Kid is small, slow and weak and its at a position of strength.. Total mind blower
— +0DD (@t0DDm4n) April 25, 2020
At the end of the day, we cannot expect too much out of a sixth-round pick and Holden Sanchez put it into perspective quite nicely.
Worst pick of the draft.. Kid is small, slow and weak and its at a position of strength.. Total mind blower
— +0DD (@t0DDm4n) April 25, 2020
This is a depth pick, and if he could simply be a depth safety that is a difference-maker on the special teams unit then this is absolutely worth using a sixth-round pick on.
How do you feel about the Gilman selection?
— Bolt Beat (@BB_Chargers) April 25, 2020
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