5 safeties the LA Chargers could draft in the 2021 NFL Draft

Caden Sterns, Texas

Caden Sterns feels like he is going to go in the late fourth round, which may mean that the LA Chargers have to reach for him if they really like him. However, it could also be a case of Sterns falling to the Chargers in the fifth round and the team simply taking the best player available.

Sterns has similar concerns as LeCounte, which is typical of safeties at this point in the draft. You are not going to land a fantastic well-rounded safety this late in the draft. The Chargers are going to have to develop a player no matter who they pick.

Sterns is not great against the run but that is not a huge concern because of the position. What is exciting about Sterns is his ability to do multiple things on the defensive side of the football. He is not position versatile so much as he is scheme versatile.

MORE: What must happen for the LA Chargers to trade down from pick 13

Sterns can come down and play man coverage when needed and is a bit bigger than LeCounte, so he would hold his own better against tight ends (bigger tight ends would still be a problem). Sterns can also operate exclusively in zone coverage, which is valuable if Staley looks to implement a hybrid-style defense.

The Chargers are likely going to play more split zone coverage with the safeties (two deep safeties instead of one) and Sterns has the ability to do that as well as drop back as the lone safety and even come up and leave James or Adderley as the lone deep safety. He gives the team options… in passing downs.