The Athletic's NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler was a guest on this week's episode of Chargers Weekly, the official podcast of the team.
Brugler previewed Senior Bowl Week, which starts next Tuesday in Mobile, Ala. The Chargers drafted four players who attended last year's event: linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, defensive tackle Justin Jones, linebacker Kyzir White and center Scott Quessenberry. Kicker Michael Badgley also participated.
In addition, Brugler shared his thoughts on Derwin James' rookie season in Los Angeles. Before last year's draft, James graded out as Brugler's eighth overall prospect. Highlights from the conversation are below.
On James' rookie season (20:40 mark):
"The versatility, to me that's what really stood out when you watch him because that's the type of players that the NFL needs right now on defense – the versatile guys that can cover; they can creep down in the box where you have to worry about them playing the run, blitz; they can still drop, cover wide receivers (and) tight ends; (they) can cover in the slot. Just that versatility to stay on the field all three downs, to interchangeably play single-high (safety), cover both sidelines and also work down towards the line of scrimmage. So, the guys that are versatile and can do all of that and also have the intangibles that you're looking for just in terms of being a good teammate – you know what kind of guy you're getting day in, day out. Derwin James, that kind of summed him up. So, just still surprised he fell so far but, hey, the Chargers' gain."
On what potential first-round QB Daniel Jones needs to show at the Senior Bowl (24:50):
"For (Duke's) Daniel Jones, he's a very cerebral passer, very accurate; and so, he doesn't have a power arm like a Drew Lock does. But for him, it's just being efficient – showing that ball placement, showing that quick-minded approach that he has similar to Jimmy Garoppolo in that way. So, for Daniel Jones it's just showing more of that."
Brugler also named Senior Bowl prospects to watch on the offensive line, defensive line, and at linebacker. ESPN's Eric Williams opened the podcast with final thoughts on the Chargers' 2018 season.
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