Los Angeles Chargers Saturday Mailbag: Justin Jackson’s role and more

From questions about Justin Jackson and Derwin James to Mike Williams and Kyzir White, the Los Angeles Chargers NFL Spin Zone Saturday Mailbag has all the answers for you…

Wow! Thank you for all the great submissions and wide variety of topics regarding the Los Angeles Chargers.

Some of them really took some research and projecting, so I hope you find them answered to your satisfaction. How can you get your question in?

1. Post in the comments section
2. On Twitter to @tjscooter30
3. By email (for longer submissions or multiple questions) at lacbag18@gmail.com

Without further delay, here’s your first Chargers NFL Spin Zone Saturday Mailbag!

Question 1: What are your insights on how much Justin Jackson is going to be used this year? I think this kid will give Gordon competition concerns AND the team, a lot of reasons to get him in the game. He’s a baller. –Francis

Throughout his career, Melvin Gordon has never had a truly effective third back to spell him. The closest was Donald Brown back in 2015 (the year Gordon was drafted) with only 229 yards on 59 attempts. Danny Woodhead always complimented him as a receiver and gadget player, but never was an in between the tackles kind of guy. In 2017, Austin Ekeler took over that role, but at 5-9, 195 pounds, he’s not going to wear out a defense. At three inches taller and five pounds heavier, Justin Jackson has a shot to be the “bigger back” behind Gordon.

I do want to point out, however, that Jackson took 203 more college rushing snaps over the same number of years as Ekeler, but had fewer yards and touchdowns, as well as a lower yards per carry average. If fans praise Jackson for his production, they need to remember that Ekeler came out with better stats, albeit at a lower division school. One of Ekeler’s concerns moving forward is ball security, having given one up in each of two critical games against the Jaguars and Chiefs. Jackson could very well take Ekeler’s spot if he shows to be more reliable with similar traits.

If you’re looking to see what his usage may be, look to Anthony Lynn’s time with the Buffalo Bills. As the offensive coordinator/head coach in 2016, their second back (Mike Tolbert) averaged 5.5 attempts across 12 games played. That’s not a lot, but the Bills also had quarterback Tyrod Taylor average 5.6 attempts over 15 games played, giving that roughly 11 total carries per game to secondary rushers.

Ekeler averaged 4.27 attempts per game in 2017 in 11 games where he actually rushed once or more, leaving about a six to seven attempts remaining for Jackson. Gordon had just three fewer attempts in 2017 than Bills starter LeSean McCoy did under Lynn in 2016. So, given that the primary rusher gets close to the same number of rushes in 2018, Jackson should (if he wins the third back spot) look to have half a dozen rushing attempts and one or two passes caught a game.

Question 2: Will Kyzir White compete with Adrian Phillips for snaps? Or will Nwosu’s role allow us not to have a hybrid linebacker on the field so much? –Brandon

Kyzir White does have the ability to do many things. As a safety coming out of college but drafted as a linebacker, he has the versatility to be a difference maker. He’s going to battle for the WILL linebacker spot with Jatavis Brown and Adrian Phillips. For whatever reason, Brown struggled to learn Gus Bradley’s system one year removed from almost being considered for defensive rookie of the year. Phillips has improved immensely, but wasn’t spectacular (50.5 PFF Edge grade).

Enter White:

Considered by many to be a Day 2 selection in the draft, the Chargers scooped up the 6-2, 218-pound safety/linebacker in the fourth round. He should be considered a favorite to take the job simply out of size alone, being much bigger than Phillips and Brown. Most knocks on him involve a lack of athleticism and sub-par speed, but his instincts and tackling ability will override most any of those issues.

Question 3: I have read a lot of different comments about whether Johnathan Hankins fits the Chargers system. After drafting James, Nwosu, and White it seems like the Chargers have fixed their linebacker issues, but they were really weak at NT per PFF. Do you believe Hankins only fits as a 3/4 NT or does he fit the Brandon Mebane 4/3 NT role? I get that a 4/3 NT isn’t as valuable as a 3/4 NT, but it seems like his cost should be reasonable post draft. Getting younger and better would be nice. -Scott

I believe if the talent is there and there’s the right coach in place, why not sign the player (for the right price)? Bradley seems to have a good hold on how to maximize player potential, and Hankins would be a welcome sight on the defensive line. Justin Jones, the Chargers’ third round selection, was the only major player acquired to fix the interior of the defensive line. I’m still a little perplexed that both Mebane and Liuget remain, as I’m sure many of you would agree that most thought at least one would be gone.

Despite Telesco going with a reverse-John Hammond approach to the offseason, I really think the team needs to pick up one more guy. Darius Philon must have really made an impact on the coaches last season, because he is slated for a big role in 2018. He deserves it for his solid year, but at limited snaps it’s hard to be sure if he can play a legitimate starting role so quickly. I like the combination of Jones/Mebane to run-stuff and maybe Philon/Liuget to rush the passer, I just don’t think it’s as sure-fire to work as the front office may think. But, I’m not paid millions of dollars to coach football, so what do I know?