LA Chargers: Day three defensive lineman targets in the 2020 NFL Draft

Kendall Coleman, EDGE, Syracuse

If Telesco and co decide to go against the grain and draft another edge rusher, Kendall Coleman out of Syracuse is a player I really like. He’s an old school defensive end who excels against the run and against the pass. He actually reminds me a bit of current Charger Melvin Ingram, in terms of his effort on a daily basis in both aspects of the game.

He is a bit undersized, coming in at 6’3 and 257 pounds. He doesn’t have the natural athleticism to be a stand-up edge rusher who also drops back in the pass so he’ll need to bulk up to play full time in the NFL, but currently, I like his functional strength enough where I would be ok taking a shot on him.

Coleman was much more productive as a junior when he was able to compile 10 sacks, which was good enough for second in the ACC. That production, unfortunately, didn’t carry over to his senior season which is why he’s likely a seventh-round prospect. The shining aspect of his game is clearly his motor, and perhaps he could develop into a key situational player for the Chargers.

Derrek Tuszka, EDGE, North Dakota State

Derrek Tuszka is one of the most productive pass-rushers you might not have ever heard of. He’s been one of the best players in the Bison’s program for the last few years and a key piece to their perennial FCS Championship success. In his four years in North Dakota, he racked up nearly 30 sacks, including 13.5 this past season. He’s got quite the mean streak to him too.

Similar to Coleman he is undersized and would either need to put on some weight to play full-time edge or switch to more of an OTTO hybrid role, similar to what the Chargers do with Uchenna Nwosu.

He also comes in as a high energy prospect, but he is entering the NFL with a few very refined pass rush moves, including a nasty spin move that would leave FCS tackles falling on their face. Overall he’s got very good hands and sheds blockers well.

I know that transition from a small school to the NFL as a pass rusher is difficult, and he would certainly have his work cut out for him, but a guy who was that productive is hard to ignore especially in the later rounds.

Derrek Tuszka has been waiting 8 months to hit someone.

You can tell. pic.twitter.com/ssLajToeji

— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball) August 31, 2019

Maybe he becomes that typical late-round gem that Telesco seems to find every year, maybe he just ends up as a special teams guy, but I think he’s worth taking a flyer on.