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Los Angeles Chargers: Jonathon Cooper a fit in the 2021 NFL Draft

By Mario O. Tovar

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jonathon Cooper (0) forces a fumble by Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Ohio State won 49-28.College Football Playoff Ohio State Faces Clemson In Sugar Bowl
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jonathon Cooper (0) forces a fumble by Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Ohio State won 49-28.College Football Playoff Ohio State Faces Clemson In Sugar Bowl /
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The Los Angeles Chargers must target Jonathon Cooper in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The Chargers will be heading into the 2021 NFL season with a new coaching staff but their deficiencies need to be addressed no matter who gets the nod. One of those weaknesses is the lack of pass rush that the ‘Bolts’ generated this season.

In total, Gus Bradley’s defense only generated 27 sacks as a unit in 2020 per Pro Football Reference. Joey Bosa was the team’s sack leader with 7.5 to his name. After Bosa, Uchenna Nwosu added 4.5 of his own. If Los Angeles hopes to leapfrog the Las Vegas Raiders or Kansas City Chiefs anytime soon, they’ll have to remedy this ineffectiveness.

Thankfully for the Chargers, there are plenty of talented EDGE rushers who will be available throughout April’s NFL draft. One such prospect that Los Angeles should consider is Ohio State’s Jonathon Cooper.

What can Cooper bring to the Chargers?

The six-foot-four, 257-pound defensive end has a motor that would compliment the Los Angeles defense very well. His collegiate career at Ohio State was solid by all accounts. Cooper accumulated 10 sacks over five college seasons (some limited by injury) in the Big Ten. Also, add in 15 tackles for a loss, two fumble recoveries, two passes defended, and a forced fumble.

Recently, Pro Football Focus also broke down Cooper’s collegiate progression over that time span. Cooper’s overall grade for each of those seasons is as follows: 55.1, 71.5, 68.6, 69.7, and 89.7, respectively. His 2020 senior campaign saw some impressive grades go his way, and his 91.3 pass-rushing grade jumps out at you.

Watching his film, you can see Cooper’s relentless pursuit on display whether it’s against the run or hunting down opposing quarterbacks. Though he was at times dominated by opposing tackles, Cooper can increase his strength in the NFL which would aid his effectiveness.

Nonetheless, Cooper has adequate explosion that should help him upon starting his career. The weak-side defensive end is definitely a player that the Chargers should do their due diligence on.

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