Grading the Chargers' 2023 Rookie Class

Derius Davis, WR – Round 4, Pick 125, Grade: C

Anytime you draft a player on Day 3, you are hoping he can stick to the team’s 53-man roster all season and find ways to contribute.

Days did just that as he saw some time on offense this season and was the Chargers’ top return specialist on kick and punt returns. 

The former TCU wide receiver was ranked third in the NFL in kick and punt return yards (759) behind Xavier Gipson (830) and Keisean Nixon (877). Days also led the league in yards per punt return (16.0) as he scored one punt return touchdown.

It’ll be interesting to see how the new Chargers’ offensive staff works Days into the offense. But Los Angeles has a special teams weapon that can flip field position in any game.

Jordan McFadden, OL – Round 5, Pick 156, Grade: C-

When the Chargers drafted McFadden in the fifth round, they likely had no plans for him to start this season.

However, Los Angeles’ offensive line was ravaged by injuries, which led to the former Clemson offensive lineman starting the final two games of the regular season. McFadden wasn’t penalized in his two starts. 

The 24-year-old offensive lineman started at left guard for an injured Zion Johnson in Week 18 and spoke about how this experience can help him next season.

“Definitely a huge confidence booster knowing that you can do it," he said (h/t Eric Smith of Chargers.com). "That's big and just to get the experience, there's nothing like actually doing it out there and doing it yourself. Just to get the experience, see different things, it's definitely big."

The Chargers should have a healthy offensive line heading into next season, but knowing that McFadden can step up and start if necessary is good to know.