Defensive Players From Each Position the Chargers Should Draft

I already released my “All-Garrett Team” on Offense so let’s look at some names on Defense that I want the Chargers to draft. Again the Chargers can’t draft every one of these players but I can get behind any of these picks. Here are some fun guys I want to watch every Sunday:

Safety: Budda Baker – Washington

Baker is a disruptor. He’s a very strong tackler, physical at the line and fights in the run game by using his angles to knife in to take down ball carriers. Baker has great route recognition to jump in front of receivers and is an added weapon as a blitzer. Baker is a hell of a talent that might drop to the second round because of his lack of size but has the versatility to play either safety spot or even as a slot corner in certain packages. Baker is a playmaker whose aggressive play will add a toughness to any NFL defense.

Cornerback: Fabian Moreau – UCLA

Moreau is a physical corner that has great footwork and good flexibility in his hips. Moreau has good instincts, very good route recognition and happens to be strong in both man and in zone. He’s physical at the line of scrimmage, can turn and run with speedy receiver (ran a 4.35 40-time at the combine) and has the instincts to be a first round talent but probably won’t because of a torn pectoral he suffered at his Pro Day. Give me more Moreau.

Inside Linebacker: Jarrad Davis – Florida

Davis was the captain for Florida on the field and showed the ability to understand concepts and helped communicate that with teammates. Davis is one of the more mean Linebackers in this class and is ultra aggressive in every facet of his game. Can do it all in coverage, he can play man or zone. Davis’ swag is out the building and plays with a bad attitude before and after the whistle. Davis is undersized for the position but plays twice his size, he has an injury history but Davis is a downright malicious playmaker that is going to upgrade any team's Linebacker group.

Edge: Joe Mathis - Washington

Mathis has become one of the most polished pass rushers in this class that no one is talking about. JoJo has THE strongest hands in this class and can win in so many ways. He can win with speed, a dip & rip, bull rush, bend the edge and so much more. Mathis played both Defensive End and Outside Linebacker at Washington and was one of the smartest players on the field for Washington, always being in the right place. Mathis has NFL ready hands, his pass rushing toolbox is beyond most players in this draft and incredible speed to power that’ll serve him well at the next level. Joe “JoJo” Mathis is a first round talent.

Defensive Tackle: Malik McDowell – Michigan St.

How could I not? Like Mathis, McDowell has some violent hands. He has some incredible athleticism for a man at 6’6/295. He rushed from all over the defensive line, has the versatility to attack from the interior or be a pass rusher from the edge. He uses his length to leverage lineman especially with his long arm stab and he’s a player that works best when he smells blood in the water. Malik McDowell has the size, tools, and athleticism to be a Pro Bowler in the NFL. Just wipe the myth that McDowell is “lazy” from your memory because it’s a lie.

BONUS:

Defensive Tackle: Jaleel Johnson - Iowa

Couldn’t leave McDowell off a “my guys” list so here’s another Defensive Tackle that’s not so obvious. Johnson is one of the smartest Interior Defensive Lineman in this class, he has high awareness and plays his angles well. Johnson possesses some serious power, his bull rush is lethal. Johnson is one of those aggressive players that’s always looking to plow someone over, he’s got great get-off at the snap and is pretty athletic for his size too. Jaleel Johnson will be a 3-tech at the NFL level, that will be a high-end run stuffer with the capability to get to the quarterback. Jaleel is talented and will go a round or two later than he should.