LA Chargers Alohi Gilman Grade: Potential Adrian Phillips?

In the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the LA Chargers selected safety Alohi Gilman from Notre Dame.

As we near the end of day three for the NFL draft, with the 186th selection, the LA Chargers selected Alohi Gilman, the team captain safety out of Notre Dame. To some, these later round picks might not be the most interesting or flashy, but Gilman has the potential to be a serious impact on the field. So let’s dive into some information to show what the Chargers have just grabbed.

At Notre Dame Gilman had finished his collegiate career with the following statistics, 140 solo tackles, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 5 forced fumbles, and 12 pass deflections. Some of the best highlights games are 2019 Week 5 vs Virginia and 2018 vs USC.

While the stats don’t jump off the page and run into your face about what he can do, his Combine proved that he has a good burst of speed (running a 4.6) and a good range of jumping motions with a 32 inch vertical and 119.0 broad jump. With that this led him with a prediction of going in the 5th round. Making the Charger’s ability to draft him the 6th round a great value pick with the selection.

You may be asking what is his potential with the Chargers though, how does he fit in? To that, I say look for Gilman to be a significant player on the special teams unit throughout his first couple years or so. Learning the playbook he could be a perfect complement to defense as he has the ability to lay down the shoulder and hit runners to force fumbles, and also has the burst of speed needed to keep up with them.

He also has great awareness to find runners and stop them before bursting through the gaps. Though the biggest knocks on him as an NFL safety would be his sub 6ft height and he lacks the box presence that the Chargers look for hence a guy like Derwin James. Look for Gilman to be the next potential Adrian Phillips at his ceiling, which is a great ceiling to have.

Overall, the Chargers drafted someone who has great potential to develop as a role player and if nothing else a solid special teamer with the ability to make the occasional great play if nothing else. This was a value selection to increase what is already a potent secondary.

Grade: C