LA Chargers’ last-minute free agent target: CB Javien Elliott
The Chargers should’ve taken a cornerback during the draft. They ultimately decided not to. My thinking behind developing some younger corners has to do with Desmond King potentially leaving after the season as well as both Casey Hayward and Chris Harris both getting a little older. Troy Pride, Bryce Hall, and numerous other decent fits were available, but the Chargers just didn’t go in that direction.
Javien Elliott is a really intriguing player in my opinion. He’s still young as he just turned 27 a few weeks ago. While he’s a bit undersized, he’s a genuinely solid tackler. Perhaps that’s a case of the low man winning.
Elliott has really great speed and can read plays pretty well. Despite some physical disadvantages in height and his general size, he’s an OK nickel corner that could develop well in a quality cornerback room.
So far in his career, he’s found himself in Tampa Bay and Carolina, which aren’t exactly the best spots for a young defensive player. Being able to learn from Hayward, King, Harris, and the entire secondary could really put him on the path to becoming a solid corner.
The Chargers shouldn’t have passed up the opportunity of taking a cornerback in this year’s class, but Elliott would be a step to rectifying that mistake. He’s got the potential to develop into a solid nickel or slot at the very least. His speed and tackling are two solid qualities that can be built on going forward.