Rookie CB Deane Leonard flashes on first day of Chargers training camp
It wasn’t just J.C. Jackson, who was the newest member of the Chargers’ secondary to stand out on the first day of training camp.
Deane Leonard, the seventh-round pick out of Ole Miss, raised some eyebrows during the team drills.
On two plays in coverage against wide receiver Jalen Guyton, Leonard deflected both passes thrown his direction.
It’s very nice to see Deane Leonard has carried his impressive showing at minicamp to training camp.
Leonard has the lower-body quickness/footwork to mirror in press-man, athleticism to stay on receiver’s hip, and the length to disrupt at catch point.pic.twitter.com/AgKpp62wge
— Gavino Borquez (@GavinoBorquez) July 27, 2022
Wednesday’s performance was a replica of his mandatory minicamp, as Leonard also got his hands on a few passes during that period.
Head coach Brandon Staley talked about how important it was to add cornerback depth this offseason, which he accomplished with Leonard and sixth-rounder Ja’Sir Taylor.
In one of the most heated position battles of the summer, Leonard and Taylor will be vying for one of the spots on the bottom of the depth chart with returners Tevaughn Campbell and Kemon Hall.
Leonard spent two seasons at the University of Calgary, where he had 47 tackles, one sack, and six interceptions in 23 games. He then transferred to Ole Miss, where he logged 62 tackles and seven pass deflections.
