The LA Chargers got a head start on training thanks to the team's participation in the Hall of Fame game on July 31. And to say it's been an eventful start to training camp would be an understatement. It's not every year that a veteran receiver retires on the first day of camp while the team is also dealing with an injury to a new running back because of a firework mishap.
These top-of-page storylines shouldn't take away from the action happening on the field during Chargers training camp. While two days of camp isn't a fair indication of how an entire season will go, there are already some promising standouts emerging from El Segundo.
On Friday, it was sixth-round pick R.J. Mickens' turn to turn heads. Mickens, who has been highly touted by Chargers fans since he was drafted, turned in his first highlight of training camp by intercepting backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke.
R.J. Mickens wastes no time turning heads at Chargers training camp
Mickens is one of the most popular names in what projects to be a solid 2025 draft class for the Chargers. Naturally, draft picks always get an extra level of hype from subjective fans but the hype around Mickens seems real.
The former Clemson safety was drafted in the sixth round by the Chargers in what truly looked like a steal at the time. Mickens doesn't jump off the tape as an incredible athlete but he has the size, length, and pure fundamentals to be a successful safety in the NFL.
So if he has the tools to succeed, why did he fall to the sixth round? The answer is really quite simple and it explains why Chargers fans are excited in the first place.
Two things limit Mickens' projected ceiling: his relatively average athleticism with no elite top-end speed, and his age coming into the draft. More often than not, teams favor younger prospects with elite athletic upside as they sell themselves on the idea of developing the skills to go with unteachable traits.
Mickens is the opposite, and quite frankly, that is perfectly fine for the Chargers. They didn't need to draft someone who is going to be an All-Pro in the sixth round of the draft. They needed to take someone who can contribute on special teams right away and can blossom into a full-timer starter in years two and beyond.
That is the outlook Mickens provides. At 24 years old, Mickens is already two years older than 2023 second-round pick, Tuli Tuipulotu. Mickens is much further along in his football development than a 21-year-old safety with athletic traits. That is the entire reason the Chargers drafted him.
Mickens' role on defense may be limited in his rookie season simply because of all the talent in the safety room in 2025. However, don't be surprised if Mickens establishes himself as one of the best special-teams players on the team who can still impact the defense in the opportunities he does receive.