Chargers add Jerry Tillery to defensive line at No. 28
The Los Angeles Chargers selected defensive lineman Jerry Tillery out of Notre Dame with the 28th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Tillery adds a high-upside presence to the Chargers' front four, which already features stud edge rushers Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram.
Defensive tackle was arguably Los Angeles' biggest area of weakness heading into draft week, with veteran Brandon Mebane and 2018 third-round pick Justin Jones atop the depth chart.
Tillery was inconsistent at Notre Dame but possesses the size and pass-rush repertoire to develop into a star defender.
Prospect profile
School: Notre Dame
Height: 6-7
Weight: 295 lbs
Strengths
- Excellent size and frame
- Ideal fit in 3-4 or 4-3 defense
- Uses a number of pass-rush moves and effective counter
- Power rusher who improved overall technique in 2018
- Devastating stack and rip using long arms
- High effort player that flashed dominance in spurts
- Game vs. Stanford illustrated elite upside as a prospect
Weaknesses
- Average athlete by NFL standards
- Plays a bit high at times and doesn't have natural flexibility
- Inconsistent career in terms of production
- Has difficulty changing directions which affects tackling efficiency
- Heavy footed and doesn't always sync full body during rushes
Bottom line
Tillery is a classic example of a low-ceiling, high-floor prospect. He's flashed dominance as an interior rusher, but has yet to put his jaw-dropping traits together on a consistent basis. Tillery can beat blockers in a variety of ways, but isn't fluid in space or an explosive athlete. With his overall pass-rush prowess, expect the interior defender to be a hot commodity early on Day 2 or even late in the first round.