The Chargers added to the secondary and selected safety R.J. Mickens in the sixth round (No. 214 overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Here are five things to know about the Clemson safety:
1. Stalwart on Clemson defense
The safety made sure to make his presence felt last year with the Tigers.
Mickens finished third on the Clemson defense in tackles with 85 and second in interceptions, notching two last season. He also added seven passes defensed.
As far as Pro Football Focus grades, Mickens was at the top among ACC safeties with an 89.8 coverage grade.
The figure was tied for the fourth-best in the nation among safeties with at least 500 snaps, as he also had the ninth-best overall defense grade among the position in 2024.
2. Moving around the defense
Mickens did just about everything on defense for the Tigers.
The safety aligned saw a lot of time at each free safety, slot and in the box, moving around depending on where he was needed.
Look no further than last season, when Mickens logged over 300 defensive snaps at both free safety and in the box as well as 88 at slot cornerback.
Take a look through some photos of the Chargers selection at No. 214 in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Safety, R.J. Mickens from the Clemson University.
Clemson's R.J. Mickens (9) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game against Georgia Tech on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Clemson Tigers safety R.J. Mickens (9) plays against the Furman Paladins during an NCAA college football game in Clemson, S.C., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson safety R.J. Mickens (9) tackles Louisiana Tech running back Charvis Thornton (22) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson safety R.J. Mickens, right, breaks up a pass intended for Syracuse wide receiver Donovan Brown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Clemson safety R.J. Mickens (9) chases a fumble by Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (1) that was recovered by Clemson during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Clemson safety R.J. Mickens (9) reacts during an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Louisville wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks (1) breaks a tackle from Clemson safety R.J. Mickens (9) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson defensive back R.J. Mickens runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson defensive back R.J. Mickens runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson defensive back R.J. Mickens runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Clemson defensive back R.J. Mickens participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, February 28, 2025. (Brooke Sutton via AP)
Clemson defensive back R.J. Mickens speaks at the podium during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (Brooke Sutton via AP)
3. Plenty of game experience
It's hard to find a more experienced defensive player than Mickens.
A key piece of the secondary in each of his years with the Tigers, the safety became the10th player in Clemson program history to play 60 career games.
He finished his collegiate career racking up 229 tackles (13.5 for loss), seven interceptions, 15 pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
4. Two-way HS star
Attending Carroll High School in Texas, Mickens was a star on both sides of the ball during his prep days.
He did just about everything during his time at the school, playing at wide receiver, cornerback and safety as well as returning punts.
And when Mickens was on the offensive side of the ball, he caught passes from quarterback Quinn Ewers, who was also drafted this year.
5. Son of NFL vet
Mickens now becomes the second member of his family drafted into the league.
His father, Ray Mickens, Sr., was a third-round pick by the Jets in the 1996 NFL Draft as a defensive back and went on to have a lengthy career.
The elder Mickens played a total of 10 seasons in the NFL — eight with the Jets and one each with the Browns and Patriots — and appeared in 146 games.
He finished his career with 382 tackles (323), 11 career interceptions, 6.0 sacks and 46 passes defensed.
