You can excuse Defensive Coordinator Gus Bradley for his ear-to-ear grin.
As if it wasn't enough to land Derwin James on Thursday, the Chargers were also able to land one of the top linebackers in the draft on Day Two when they took USC star Uchenna Nwosu with the 48th overall pick.
"It's like Christmas," Bradley said with a hearty laugh. "We've got someone coming into our organization that's new with a whole lot of skills we can really utilize. Our scouting staff and Tom (Telesco) did a great job recognizing his skillset and what he can bring to us. Through the workout, watching him move and how he operates, butting all those things together makes him a great fit for us."
It doesn't take a genius to see why the Bolts' defensive coordinator is thrilled to add the 6-3, 251-pound local product who grew up in Carson and played at USC. He authored a noteworthy career during his time with the Trojans, particularly his senior season a year ago in which he notched 75 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 14 passes defensed and 9.5 sacks.
Strong at setting the edge against the run while also able of getting to the quarterback in a flash, Bradley explained how Nwosu popped every time he turned on the film. Thus, it didn't take long for the defensive coordinator to know where his newest weapon will fit in on defense.
"He's an OTTO for us," Bradley explained. "In our sub packages he can be an extra edge rusher for us, and also on first and second down in our base package has the ability to be an outside linebacker type for us that can set the edge, rush and play behind the ball."
Adding Nwosu immediately after James also increases the physical nature of the entire team in a flash. In fact, the USC product's physicality is what was particularly attractive to the Bolts.
"He's a very physical player," he said. "He can set the edge and rush the passer, and you can never have enough guys like that. Both (Nwosu and James) are physical players, and they show that on tape. But they are also athletic with a passion for the game. They love football. They bring a certain mentality to our group."
Bradley also stressed how Nwosu will provide an instant boost in more ways than on defense.
"As a special teams player, George (Stewart) has got to be ecstatic. He will bring a great mentality to that group. He was a great pick for us in a lot of ways."
Take a look through the top photos of the Bolts' second-round pick, LB Uchenna Nwosu of USC.
USC Trojans linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) during an NCAA Football regular season game against the Stanford Cardinal on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 in Los Angeles. USC won, 42-24. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer, left, is sacked by Southern California linebacker Uchenna Nwosu during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
USC Trojans linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) pressures Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley (9) during the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game, Monday, Jan. 2, 2017 in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
USC Trojans linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) during an NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2017 in Los Angeles. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Southern California linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) signals that his team recovered a fumble by Colorado running back Christian Powell during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, in Boulder, Colo. Southern California won 27-24. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
USC Trojans linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) during an NCAA regular season football game against the Texas Longhorns on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 in Los Angeles. USC won in double overtime, 27-24. (Ric Tapia via AP)
USC Trojans linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) in action against Penn State offensive lineman Chasz Wright (77) during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Pasadena, Calif., Monday, Jan. 2, 2017. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
USC Trojans linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) looks into the backfield during a Pac-12 NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at the Los Angeles Coliseum on November 28, 2015. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Southern California's Uchenna Nwosu, left, celebrates with Christian Rector after recovering a California fumble during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
USC Trojans linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) celebrates with USC Trojans cornerback Jack Jones (25) during an NCAA regular season football game against the Texas Longhorns on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 in Los Angeles. USC won in double overtime, 27-24. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley, left, is tackled by Southern California linebacker Uchenna Nwosu during the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
USC Trojans linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) during an NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2017 in Los Angeles. (Ric Tapia via AP)
USC linebacker Uchenna Nwosu leads fans in singing the team song after defeating Colorado in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Boulder, Colo. USC won 38-24. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Southern California linebacker Uchenna Nwosu runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Southern California linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (LB28) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Southern California linebacker Uchenna Nwosu runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Southern California linebacker Uchenna Nwosu runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
