With their fourth-round pick, the LA Chargers select…
Dez Fitzpatrick is one of many receivers who demonstrates why it’s not good value for the Chargers draft a receiver early. That’s not anything against Ja’Marr Chase, Devonta Smith, or Jaylen Waddle. It’s just that the Chargers have so many other needs to address early and this deep receiver class aids them in that.
Fitzpatrick was third in the country last year in yards per reception with 19.3. He’s a terrific route runner that could start contributing into the offense rather quickly. While the Chargers have Jalen Guyton and Tyron Johnson as the burners, I think they could use one more receiver that’s less straight line speed and more technically refined.
.@UofLFootball WR Dez Fitzpatrick. Technician. This is silly. #TheDraftStartsInMobile pic.twitter.com/9G6nv7G49A
— Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) January 29, 2021
In 2020, Fitzpatrick set a new personal receiving yards record with 833 in a rather crowded receiver room that included Chatarius (TuTu) Atwell.
Fitzpatrick is not a burner down the field by any means, but he runs deep routes really well. That’s a skill on this team that I sometimes think is lacking. Mike Williams is the jump ball receiver and while Guyton or Johnson have decent speed, they don’t often catch a defender off guard. His separation skills are much more in line with Keenan Allen than the three Chargers’ deep threats.
With their fifth round pick, the LA Chargers select…
Kylin Hill opted out of the 2020 season after just three games. Interestingly, his draft stock may have still moved up from what it was. Mississippi State underwent a huge offensive philosophy shift with head coach Mike Leach. That famous Leach air raid offense was put into place, but Hill still had success with it.
In just three games, Hill set a personal record for receptions and receiving yards with 23 for 237. After rushing for 1350 yards in 2019, it was a nice change of pace that put his whole skillset on display.
Hill would probably be the biggest running back in a group that would include Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, and Justin Jackson. At 5’10”, 215 he has good power and burst through the line of scrimmage. For his size, he also actually has surprisingly good sideline to sideline movement. He’s not just a downhill, push the pile runner.
Hill doesn’t stand out in this running back class because he’s not amazing in one particular category, but he’s sound running back with no clear weaknesses. He would probably start out in a running back by committee system. It’s not too hard to see Hill claiming the RB2 spot if Kelley doesn’t make a year two push and Jackson can’t stay healthy.