Good morning.
Sharon Katz of ESPN Stats & Information examines the best and worst teams at finding late-round steals.
Using Pro Football Reference’s Approximate Value (AV) metric to break down every NFL draft pick over the past 10 seasons, Katz determined that the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks were the best teams over the past decade in finding late-round values, while the Detroit Lions and the Kansas City Chiefs were the worst.
The San Diego Chargers were No. 20 on the list.
My take: While the Chargers lagged in the study, San Diego had four undrafted rookies (Nick Dzubnar, Josh Lambo, Tyreek Burwell, Tyrell Williams) make last year’s initial, 53-man roster, something not accounted for in the study. The Chargers have a history of finding productive players as undrafted rookies, including Antonio Gates, Malcom Floyd and Jahleel Addae.
The Washington Post’s statistical team performed a deep dive on the NFL draft, revisiting how teams have fared in the draft over the last 20 years. According to the study, the Chargers ranked No. 10 in the NFL in average draft value. The Pittsburgh Steelers top the list, while the Cleveland Browns finished last.
My take: The draft value metric weighs factors like games started, team performance and all-pro honors. An interesting part of the study was positional best bets. Offensive tackles and defensive tackles are high on the list.
In this ESPN Insider piece, draft analyst Todd McShay takes an in-depth, position-by-position look at this year’s draft. It’s worth your time this morning.
My take: McShay writes that linebackers Myles Jack and Darron Lee, along with Jalen Ramsey, are some of the best fits in this year’s draft for today’s NFL because of their versatility. He also points to USC quarterback Cody Kessler as the most accurate quarterback on short throws. Kessler could be a fit for the Chargers’ short-passing game as a developmental QB.
Michael Gehlken of The San Diego Union-Tribune writes that Ohio State TE Nick Vannett could be an option for the Chargers.
My take: The Chargers need more depth at that position, and Vannett can work both as an in-line tight end or be deployed as an H-Back. He makes sense as mid-round selection for the Chargers.