Checking in on the Los Angeles Chargers Rookies – A Potential Rookie of the Year?

Los Angeles Chargers General Manager, Tom Telesco is in his 11th year and is finally in the hot seat as this talented roster has been underperforming for a very long time. Telesco and Head Coach Brandon Staley are looking to save their jobs, and a great part of that is the play of their rookies in 2023. Now that we are halfway through the season, this 2023 rookie class has half a season of work for us to see. So, how are the 2023 Chargers rookies?

Quentin Johnston

Overview: The Los Angeles Chargers first-round selection was Quentin Johnston and his expectations beforehand were not astronomical but were still reasonable considering his bill as a first-round selection. Thus far this year, his usage has been extremely limited, which has led to his play being very underwhelming.

Furthermore, the first Charger rookie taken is finally being called upon in the last few weeks, as starting receivers Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer have gone down with injuries. However, he still has not received a lot of targets from Justin Herbert. Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore has yet to give many first-read opportunities for Johnston, meaning that he is usually used as the decoy or run-off man for other receivers to get open. 

To continue, there has been a lot of discourse about his production. These different variables fall into coaching, lack of targets, or his position on the depth chart, whether you give him the benefit of the doubt or not, he must step up in the coming weeks if the Chargers want to make the playoffs. Positively, Johnston has been doing the dirty work but has shown on film that he can separate and make space at the line of scrimmage. With more of an active role in this Chargers offense, he has started to produce a bit more, with seven catches for 64 yards in his last two outings total. The first-round rookie has the rest of the season to prove that he was worth the first-round bill, especially on the stat sheet.

Stat Prediction Before Week One:

• 45 Catches
• 725 Yards
• 6 Touchdowns
• 7 Drops

Current Stats:

• 14 Catches
• 128 Yards
• 0 Touchdowns
• 0 Drops

Tuli Tuipulotu

Overview: When Telesco drafted the local Tuli Tuipulotu, not even he believed that Tuipulotu could be this good this soon. With an early season injury to Joey Bosa, Tuipulotu was looked to replace that production and did so with ease. The second Charger rookie taken has been spectacular, surpassing every expectation, and still has half the season to build upon what he has already created.

Thus far throughout this season, the young phenom has shown immense strength, burst, and effort to create tons of pressure as well as run stuffs. Nobody saw the USC product becoming this good of a rusher this quickly, but even more so becoming one of the best-run defenders in the league. The 21-year-old ranks third in rush defense grade amongst all edge rushers, 25th in pressures, and 14th in stops. Tuipulotu is currently in the Defensive Rookie of the Year race, as he ranks fifth according to FOX Sports. 

Stat Prediction Before Week One:

• 30 Tackles
• 4 Tackles For Loss
• 3.5 Sacks
• 15 Pressures
• 1 Forced Fumble

Current Stats:

• 19 Tackles
•  7 Tackles For Loss
• 4.0 Sacks
• 29 Pressures
• 0 Forced Fumble

Daiyan Henley

Overview: Daiyan Henley was one of the most exciting Charger rookies from this class, as plenty of fans thought this pick-out to be a steal. So far, Henley has struggled to get involved on defense and has made his stay on special teams. 

This season, Henley has missed some time due to an injury he suffered in his impressive preseason but has come back and made his impact on special teams. Playing in 66% of the team’s special teams snaps, he has recorded two tackles and a PFF grade of 62.9. In the Chargers’ dominant victory over the New York Jets, Henley and the special teams group created a lane for a massive return touchdown from fellow Charger rookie, Derius Davis.

On defense, Henley has appeared in three games, playing 27 snaps, earning an 80.8 tackling grade, and a 67.7 coverage grade.

Stat Prediction Before Week One:

• 40 Tackles
• 1.5 Sacks
• 2 Tackles For Loss
• 1 Forced Fumble
• Over 70% of Special Teams Snaps

Current Stats:

• 7 Tackles
• 0 Sacks
• 0 Tackles For Loss
• 0 Forced Fumbles
• 66%  Special Teams Snaps

Derius Davis

Overview: When another Texas Christian University receiver was taken at the beginning of draft day three, Charger fans were worried that selecting a 5’8 return specialist would be a reach that would yield lackluster results. Davis has been everything Charger fans expected and more, showing surprising talent on offense, and proving he was worth a fourth-round selection even just as a return specialist alone. 

On offense, Davis has been a Swiss army knife, playing multiple roles for the Chargers’ offense, being used mainly as a speed threat horizontally. Whether it is lining up in the slot, outside, or as a running back, Davis has shown to give the Chargers juice when asked upon. The only issue is that Davis is not being asked to do too much on offense currently, as his skill set is very niche. 

The main reasoning behind this selection was Davis’ ability on special teams, and the 5’8 receiver has proved already that he was well worth the early day three selection. As mentioned earlier, Davis recorded a punt return touchdown, going 87 yards to the house. Furthermore, he has a season grade of 76.4 as a punt returner which ranks him as the fifth-best punt returner in the NFL currently. 

Stat Prediction Before Week One:

• 3 Catches
• 60 Yards
• 1 Touchdown
• 30 Rushing Yards
• 1 Return Touchdown
• 27 Yards Per Kick Return
• 7.5 Yards Per Punt Return

Current Stats:

• 8 Catches
• 38 Yards
• 0 Touchdowns
• 75 Rushing Yards
• 1 Return Touchdown
• 19.5 Yards Per Kick Return
• 16.6 Yards Per Punt Return

Jordan McFadden

Overview: The fifth-round selection of Jordan McFadden may have not been the most flashy, but it was definitely shown to be a solid pick thus far. McFadden is a versatile undersized lineman who can fill in both at guard and tackle. Standing at 6’2, the offensive coaching staff recently thought up a new, more exciting role for their rookie. Fullback. In the last two games, the Clemson rookie has played five offensive snaps, all being at Fullback. 

Leading the way for his fellow backfield teammates, he has been very solid in his role as a jumbo fullback. McFadden has also appeared on special teams, giving himself more value for the bolts, and could look to possibly be a long-term player for Los Angeles.

https://twitter.com/StevenIHaglund/status/1719031011718357040

Stat Prediction Before Week One:

• 1 Game Started
• 100 Special Teams/Offensive Snaps

Current Stats:

• 0 Game Started
• 10 Special Teams/Offensive Snaps
• Monster Fullback

Scott Matlock

Overview: Scott Matlock is an athletic freak from Boise State, and was drafted to give some rest to the Chargers starting interior. As a sixth-round selection, he is not expected to be anything more than a depth piece who can play multiple spots on the defensive line, with some special teams ability. Positively, he has played a nice rotational role for the Bolts, showing some flashes as a pass rusher, with three pressures and a QB hit, as well as playing in 27% of the special teams snaps.

Last year’s fifth-round rookie, Otito Ogbonnia is back from injury, and will likely take Matlock’s spot as the Chargers rotational versatile defensive linemen. In Ogbonnia’s first game back since his gruesome injury, he showed flashes both in the run and pass game, giving the defense much more juice than Matlock. Matlock was moved to the inactive list, and will likely remain there for the near future.

Stat Prediction Before Week One:

• 10 Tackles
• 1 Tackles For Loss
• .5 Sacks
• 4 Pressures
• 1 Receiving Touchdown?

Current Stats:

• 4 Tackles
• 0 Tackles For Loss
• 0 Sacks
• 3 Pressures
• No Receiving Touchdown 

Final Remarks

The Los Angeles Chargers needed an impactful draft class if they wanted to go to the next echelon of teams, and this 2023 class has proven to be very good. The current outlook of these rookies is being carried by the likes of Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate, Tuli Tuipulotu and special teams ace, Derius Davis.

However, the future outlook looks very bright as the first Chargers rookie taken this year, Quentin Johnston has yet to be “let off the leash.” Selections like Daiyan Henley, Jordan McFadden, and Scott Matlock all have played some snaps this season, but will likely have yet to play their most meaningful. This Chargers rookie class has plenty of time to prove themselves.