2021 NFL Draft: How did the KC Chiefs rivals fare on Day 2?
By Evan Mead
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS – DAY TWO
LAC 2.47: Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
The Chargers were the only team that truly can say they improved after day one, and after realizing the need to improve their secondary, they improved even more.
Chris Harris Jr. is getting older, and with a weaker secondary and with touch matchups in the AFC West, they needed to make sure to find some youth. Samuel Jr. was a high profile target for many teams, and the Chargers didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger on the Florida State corner.
Samuel matches up very well in man coverage and displays all the necessary traits to become a good cornerback at the next level. The scheme fit here is also a match made in heaven. The Chargers secondary has previously ran a high percentage of man coverage, and with the addition of Samuel, he should be able to fit right in.
LAC 3.77: Josh Palmer, WR, Tennessee
The Chargers got their offensive lineman in Rashawn Slater, and they grabbed their cornerback with Samuel in the second. However, they still needed to find another weapon or two for quarterback Justin Herbert. There were a lot of receivers still on the board that were better than Josh Palmer at this point, but they decided Palmer was their best fit.
Palmer isn’t known as a big play threat, but he is a quick receiver and shows good lower half footwork that allows him to create separation. He displays reliable hands, and the ability to be a good possession receiver for the Chargers receiving corps. With the ability to work alongside Keenan Allen to learn better route variations and techniques, he could develop into a nice threat at wideout but his impact in 2020 will be minimal.
LAC 3.97: Tre’ McKitty, TE, Georgia
The Chargers lost tight end Hunter Henry to free agency, so they needed to find someone to replace him. Tre’ McKitty was “one of my guys” this draft given his blocking upside. His ability to be a dynamic playmaker for the Chargers is what really jumps out at this pick.
The Chargers were lacking firepower going into this season, but with addition of McKitty, Herbert now has another weapon at his disposal. With the loss of Henry, they had to find someone to fill the void he left in the offense. McKitty, although not as versatile, is going to be a weapon who will be a true threat to a defense given his run after catch ability as well as his penchant for finding mismatches in zone coverage.