Los Angeles Chargers draft grades: Home runs and head scratchers

Los Angeles Chargers draft grade: B+

After selecting their franchise left tackle in the first round with Rashawn Slater, the Los Angeles Chargers draft another collegiate left tackle in Nebraska’s Brenden Jaimes (pronounced HIGH-mus).

Brendon Jaimes is a very experienced blocker who set the Nebraska record with 40 consecutive starts on the offensive line. He has experience at right tackle in addition to left tackle, where he spent his final three seasons with the Cornhuskers.

As a blocker, Jaimes is a very effective mover. He does a great job of getting to the next level in the run game and has impressive agility and technique in pass protection. Where Jaimes needs to improve his with his strength and dominance. He needs to set a better anchor in pass protection and should play with more of a mean streak as a run blocker.

Brenden Jaimes should prove to be a very valuable reserve on the offensive line early in his career for the Los Angeles Chargers. With experience at both left and right tackle, he could come in and be the swing tackle right away, or with shorter than desired arms, he could even bump inside if needed.

Los Angeles Chargers draft grade: B-

Of the three players detailed here on the final slide, sixth-round pick Nick Niemann will likely have the biggest impact on the Los Angeles Chargers as a rookie. While I don’t think he sees a ton of snaps on defense as a linebacker, I believe he will prove to be a valuable special teams contributor.

Nick Niemann has football bloodlines, as his brother currently plays for the division rival Kansas City Chiefs and his father has coached at multiple NCAA schools. However, as a coach’s son, you would like to see Niemann be a little more cerebral and disciplined as a linebacker.

Where Niemann really thrives is as an athlete. His speed and athleticism allow him to be effective in coverage against running backs, tight ends, and even receivers. He does often have good instincts in the run game, with the closing speed to quickly get to the ball carrier.

I don’t believe that Niemann has what it takes to be an every-down linebacker early in his NFL career, but he could find a role in some sub-packages with his athleticism. I really think that his style of play lends itself to a great career as a special teamer, which would be just fine for a sixth-round pick.

Los Angeles Chargers draft grade: C-

Late in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers added depth to the running back position. By selecting Missouri back Larry Rountree III, they add yet another speedy and athletic running back to the stable.

The Los Angeles Chargers seem to have a bit of a type at running back. They tend to like guys that are more speedy and elusive than tough and powerful runners. With guys like Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, and Justin Jackson already on the team, Rountree will likely have to battle for a roster spot as part of a talented running back room.

Rountree was very effective in all four seasons that he played at Missouri. He improved as a pass-catcher each and every year as a Tiger and saw a career-high in rushing touchdowns during his senior season with 14 in just 10 games.

Rountree has impressive burst through the hole. He is a very aggressive runner with solid breakaway speed to finish off big runs. He is more slippery than physical in the open field, but nonetheless, he is hard to bring down.

In a very deep running back draft class, I think the Los Angeles Chargers could have benefitted more by adding someone with a bit of a different skill set, but Rountree is a very solid player. I think the running back room is a bit crowded with young and elusive backs, so hopefully, Larry Rountree III can earn a roster spot as a 2021 NFL Draft sixth-round pick.

Los Angeles Chargers draft grade: B

With their final selection of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers selected versatile defensive back, Mark Webb, from Georgia.

After coming into the NCAA as a wide receiver, Mark Webb quickly made the transition to defense for the Bulldogs. After seeing very limited playing time in his first two seasons, Webb became more of a mainstay as an upperclassman.

Webb filled the “STAR” role for the Georgia defense, as a big nickel. Playing in that spot, Webb got comfortable in multiple aspects of the defense. He can play man against receivers and tight ends, he’s comfortable and instinctual in zone and really is at his best when playing near the line of scrimmage as more of a linebacker.

With less-than-stellar athleticism, Webb would be best finding a role as a box-safety or smaller linebacker. A can think of a guy on the Los Angeles Chargers roster that fills a similar role that Webb should be able to sit behind and learn a ton from while contributing on special teams early in his NFL career.

Los Angeles Chargers overall draft grade: B+

Overall, I think the Los Angeles Chargers did a very good job in the 2021 NFL Draft. While I liked their first two selections much more than the rest, Rashawn Slater and Asante Samuel Jr. should be good enough to carry the entire draft class.

While they may not have found the best value throughout the rest of the draft, they did snag some promising prospects who, with the right plan in place, could find a role down the road for a young and up-and-coming Los Angeles Chargers football team.