Rookies reported to The Bolt, the Chargers’ new training facility, for the start of training camp.
While Joe Alt and Ladd McConkey headline the rookies in attendance, there are a few first-year players who deserve to be spotlighted.
Here are three rookies to watch in Chargers training camp:
DT Justin Eboigbe
Selected in the fourth round, Eboigbe was one of my favorite players the Chargers drafted.
Eboige has the strength to anchor at the point of attack and eat up double teams. While his strong suit is defending the run, he showed the explosiveness and technicality to get after the quarterback last season.
Even after the addition of Poona Ford, the interior part of the defensive line is not a strong position group, which should make it easier for Eboigbe to crack the rotation and contribute this season.
TE Zach Heins
The Chargers signed Will Dissly to serve as an inline blocker, but no one else on the depth chart offers the same skillset. Heins does. The undrafted free agent out of South Dakota State has the frame, grit and play strength to move bodies in the run game. He might not offer much in the passing game, but Heins is NFL-ready as a blocker and it might be enough to warrant a roster spot.
S Akeem Dent
There will be a battle in the back end of the safety room and Dent has a good chance of locking up a spot. Dent is versatile, as he saw playing time at cornerback, safety and nickel during his time at Florida State. The ability to play multiple positions in the secondary should appeal to Jesse Minter. But his athleticism, explosiveness, and physicality would also serve well on special teams.
