The Los Angeles Chargers have a promising young defender in safety Genesis Smith.
He already turned heads during the offseason program with his ball-hawking abilities and pure athleticism in the deeper portions of the field. He'll enter training camp in a competition with second-year defender RJ Mickens and veteran Tony Jefferson for snaps at the third safety spot when Derwin James Jr. slides into his traditional nickel/dime role.
A player with Smith's skill-set is a tantalizing addition for the Chargers. In their two-high shells, they depend upon their safeties to be versatile playmakers, and having a piece like Smith who can lock down the free safety spot and free Elijah Molden and James up to wreak havoc in the tackle box could prove to be invaluable.
But Los Angeles also values physicality and consistency in the run game, and Smith's tackling numbers from his time at the University of Arizona leave room for concern as he enters his rookie season.
If Smith can acclimate to what Chris O'Leary and defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale are asking of him over the month of August, then we could quickly have another breakout rookie on our hands. If he can't, there's reason to remain uncertain of his long-term viability on the Los Angeles defense.
Genesis Smith still needs to prove himself as an improved tackler during Chargers training camp
No matter what, Smith was a worthwhile swing in the fourth round of the Draft. Although the Chargers already have a host of strong contributors at the position, any significant injury could force James back into his normal safety spot, essentially displacing the lynchpin of the Los Angeles defense.
Having a piece like Smith, who has the upside in pass coverage to at least take on a partial snap share as a rookie, is a no-brainer move.
Tackling, moreover, can be an acquired trait— as long as the player has the willingness to get physical. What can't truly be taught is Smith's innate feel for the ball and for taking the right angles on deep passes to his portions of the field.
The tackling numbers are difficult to ignore, though. He posted a missed tackle rate of 19.8% last season at Arizona (per Pro Football Focus), and there was virtually no improvement in that area as the season went on.
If the Chargers' coaching staff can draw that physicality out of him, he'll have a real chance to establish himself as a regular defensive contributor this season. Jefferson is physical and hard-hitting, but his abilities in coverage will continue to wane (albeit slowly) as he enters his age-34 season. Mickens is a versatile, do-it-all piece in the deeper portions of the field, but Smith likely has the higher ceiling if Los Angeles is willing to invest in his development.
Training camp represents an opportunity, therefore, for Smith to silence the noise surrounding him coming into the Draft. If he's able to seize that chance, he'll be a real name to watch from the Chargers' rookie class.
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