Los Angeles Chargers: 5 First-round targets in the 2018 NFL Draft
By Derek Snyder
3. Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Chargers fans may feel different, but I believe it’s time to start thinking about a replacement for Jason Verrett. It’s a shame that the Bolts’ talented cornerback hasn’t been able to stay healthy, but at some point, Los Angeles cannot afford to plug-and-play a inexperienced defensive back when Verrett potentially goes down once more.
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That said, with decent positioning in this upcoming draft, the Chargers have a great chance of snatching Denzel Ward from the Ohio State Buckeyes.
He’s not a real big guy at only 5-10, but Ward possesses a ton of potential and could be the steal of this year’s first round. Take a look at the junior’s statistics from 2017, courtesy of Sports-Reference:
- 37 total tackles
- 15 passes defended
- 2 interceptions
- 2 tackles-for-loss
All year long, Ward has been a player who flies all over the field for head coach Urban Meyer. Even though the Buckeyes’ didn’t achieve their goal of winning another National Championship, Ward did help them win the 2017 Big Ten title.
This is a dude who has been coached at a high level for the last three years, and definitely deserves getting drafted in the middle of the first round this April.