2021 NFL draft: A cornerback for Chargers in each round

Cornerback sits near the top in regards to positional groups that need to be addressed in the upcoming draft for the Chargers.

Luckily, this year’s crop has talent from the first day of the draft all the way until Day 3.

With that being said, here’s one from each round that could fit in Los Angeles:

Round 1 | Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech

Farley opted out of the 2020 season but racked up 12 passes defensed and four interceptions in 11 games in 2019 en route to earning first-team All ACC honors.

Farley, the wide receiver convert, is still relatively new to the position. However, he has just scratched the surface of how good he could become, as he possesses the size, burst, agility and ball skills to become a solid NFL corner.

Farley projects as a high-end outside corner at the next level, who can step in immediately and contribute for the Chargers. Plus, he would only benefit from having defensive guru Brandon Staley’s expertise while he continues to grow into the position.

Honorable Mention: Jaycee Horn, South Carolina

Round 2 | Greg Newsome, Northwestern

Newsome was a key piece in a Northwestern defense that finished No. 1 nationally in team pass efficiency defense and No. 5 in scoring defense (15.5 points per game). He totaled 71 tackles, 20 pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery in three seasons for the Wildcats.

As Northwestern’s boundary corner, Newsome was tasked with eliminating the short side of the side, either in quarters or press-man coverage. The 6-foot-1 and 190-pound corner is a technician who has fluid hips to stay with receivers, good eye discipline and physicality against the run.

Newsome would be an immediate contributor for the Chargers and has the ability to be a strong starter for years down the road.

Honorable Mention: Asante Samuel, Jr., Florida State

Round 3 | Keith Taylor, Washington

Through his four seasons for the Huskies, Taylor posted 90 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 10 passes defended. He went on to participate in this year’s Reese’s Senior Bowl, where he was arguably one of the best corners on display.

It’s noteworthy that Taylor didn’t produce any interceptions in college.

While there’s some concerns with his ball skills to create turnovers, he displays the athleticism, spatial awareness, competitiveness and length to stay attached to receivers, projecting as someone to grow into a long-term solution in the secondary as a strong No. 2 corner.

Honorable Mention: Trill Williams, Syracuse

Round 4 | Shakur Brown, Michigan State

One of my sleepers in this year’s class, Brown burst onto the scene in 2020 for the Spartans, playing his best football of his collegiate career. The 5-foot-11 and 190-pound corner posted 25 tackles, five interceptions, four passes defensed in seven games played.

Brown was one of the nation’s top play-makers, showing plus instincts, use of hands in press man coverage and awareness to decipher route combinations. Along with that, he does a fine job at playing with his back to the quarterback and shows good ball skills to come away with the rock.

Brown missed multiple games in 2019 due to an injury. But those concerns aside, he has key traits that can’t be taught that will allow him to rise to the top of a depth chart quickly, capable of playing inside or outside at the next next level.

Honorable Mention: Benjamin St-Juste, Minnesota

Round 5 | Olajiah Griffin, USC

The son of famous rapper Warren G, Griffin, a highly touted five-star recruit, played for three seasons with the Trojans. In total, Griffin accounted for 67 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 13 passes defensed and one interception.

Standing at 6-foot and 175 pounds, Griffin shows excellent athleticism, acceleration to turn and run with receivers, competitive nature & good use of hands at the line of scrimmage in press to disrupt the release and the short area quickness to close on receivers.

At the next level, Griffin must add some mass to his frame, improve his play strength and eye discipline in man coverage. But overall, his intriguing traits will enable him to become a starting corner down the road.

Honorable Mention: Rodarius Williams, Oklahoma State

Round 6 | DJ Daniel, Georgia

Daniel joined Georgia in 2019 as a JUCO transfer. In two seasons, he recorded 51 total tackles, including three tackles for loss, and nine passes defended. Lost in the shuffle due to the presence of Tyson Campbell and Eric Stokes, Daniel still showed out in the secondary.

Daniel has an ideal build for the position at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds with plus length, smooth hips, and quick feet. He has the long speed and reactive athleticism, but needs to improve his play strength, especially in the run game. Overall, Daniel can grow into a high end contributor by Year 3.

Honorable Mention: Robert Rochell, Central Arkansas

Round 7 | Deommodore Lenoir, Oregon

Lenoir was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2019 and started 33 consecutive games. The 5-foot-11, 203 pounder recorded 158 tackles, six interceptions, 21 passes defended, four tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery during his Oregon career.

Lenoir is at his best man coverage using physicality at the line of scrimmage, good change of direction to stay in phase and good ball skills to break up passes. However, he does lack ideal long speed, needs to anticipate the ball better downfield and show consistent effort defending the run.

Overall, with growth in the areas mentioned above, you can expect to see him get more playing time further on into his professional career.

Honorable Mention: Bryan Mills, North Carolina Central