The Los Angeles Chargers 2024 NFL draft class yielded one of the best rookie classes across the entire NFL.
A class that in 16 games has included a 1000-yard rookie receiver who has broken nearly every Chargers rookie receiving record, two fifth-round cornerbacks who started games and impressed in their starts, and an offensive tackle who is on pace to achieve pro bowl and all-pro status as a rookie.
This draft class is an immaculate start for first-year General Manager, Joe Hortiz, but there is one wrinkle in the class that has yet to straighten itself out.
That is fourth-round selection, Justin Eboigbe.
The Draft Process: Scouts Were Much Lower Than The Chargers
Justin Eboigbe was an experienced veteran across the Alabama defensive line and showed his versatility and importance to the Alabama defense during his tenure.
A quick scouting report recap of Eboigbe would include a plus for the ability to align anywhere across the defensive line, great strength at the point of attack, and a good tackler.
Justin Eboigbe this past season with Alabama:
1st-Team All-SEC selection
Welcome to Los Angeles, @JustinEboigbe #Chargers | #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/fgJvZmVfrv
— ًBoltUpYo (@BoltUpYo) April 27, 2024
The negatives included in his scouting report were his injury concerns as he suffered a neck injury at the end of the 2022 season that held him out for the majority of 2023. Beyond his injury, he lacked quickness and explosiveness in his steps to create differences in the run-and-pass game.
Drafted in the fourth round, Justin Eboigbe was seen as a bit of a reach, as he was touted to be likely a later day-three selection.
The Chargers obviously saw something greater than what most scouts did, so how has his rookie season panned out thus far?
Chargers Fourth-Round Selection Disappoints in Rookie Season
The Rest Of The Rookie Class Is Getting Playing Time
16 games into Eboigbe’s first year in Powder Blues, he has either played minimal snaps or has been strictly a healthy scratch for this Chargers team.
This comes as a disappointment, especially with the way Jim Harbaugh has shown to play his rookies quite often in his first year as Chargers Head Coach.
Even later-round selections; Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart have received significant snaps on defense, and have claimed starting/major roles this late in the season.
Justin Eboigbe is Simply Just Struggling
As for the rookie Eboigbe, his long-time college experience has yet to transfer to the NFL level. He ranks 207 out of 218 eligible defensive tackles in overall PFF grade.
If you were to play devil’s advocate, you could argue his 26 defensive snaps have not given him enough run to get comfortable. The counterargument to this is his only stat recorded is two tackles, showing that there is no impact to be had when he is on the field.
It isn’t like the path to playing time is overly steep, as he is known for his versatility and even has been listed as an EDGE defender for the Chargers during the course of the season.
Injuries have been sustained at EDGE, and defensive tackle has allowed room for opportunity all season, eventually leaning on Teair Tart and Otito Ogbonnia to play alongside Poona Ford and Morgan Fox.
Eboigbe has no pressures, sacks, hits, run stops, or pass deflections. Just the two tackles.
Last Word on Chargers Fourth Round Pick
The bad news for Justin Eboigbe is he is behind plenty of talented interior defenders as it stands currently, and has yet to make any impact at EDGE.
With Poona Ford and Teair Tart playing outstanding, it looks like Eboigbe will be in street clothes for the playoffs.
The good news for Eboigbe is that going into 2025, the Chargers have plenty of defensive linemen to retain, and with funds likely being allocated elsewhere, Eboigbe will have a chance to step up into a larger role.
Main Image: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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