4 takeaways from the LA Chargers' selections in the 2022 NFL Draft

2. The Chargers really valued bringing in athletes in the secondary

It is no secret that Brandon Staley loves defensive backs. He even said earlier in the offseason that as long as he is the head coach of the LA Chargers that the team is going to be looking to add cover corners. Staley showed his love for defensive backs in this class, proving one of our three bold predictions right (the only one we got right).

All three of these defensive backs have something in common: they are fantastic athletes. First, the Chargers took safety, JT Woods, one round earlier than he was expected to go pre-draft. While Woods does need to improve some of his route recognition and technique, he is a freak athlete that has a knack for picking off the football.

Woods adds much-needed speed to the safety position that frees up Derwin James to play the STAR and move around the defense. Instead of getting a more refined corner or safety technique-wise, the Bolts chose the athlete.

The same can be said for both Ja'Sir Taylor and Deane Leonard, who the Chargers took in the sixth and seventh round, respectively. Both of these picks were considered reaches by their pre-draft evaluation and it is clear that the Chargers were willing to make this "reach" because of the athletic profile that both guys possess.

Taylor ran a 4.39 40-yard dash while Leonard ran a 4.37 40-yard dash. It is clear that Staley and the team is trusting in the coaching staff's ability to develop these guys and instead are buying in on their athleticism.