Needing more beef in the middle of the defensive front, the Los Angeles Chargers have chosen Alabama defensive tackle Justin Eboigbe in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
At least early, he projects as a situational defensive player who can line up as an end or tackle but is not a dominant force at either spot. The Chargers need to see where his best spot will be he was an All-SEC selection last season after registering seven sacks.
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He played in 58 career games for the Crimson Tide and was part of a lot of success within the program. The Chargers are thin in the middle of the defensive line with Poona Ford and Otito Ogbinnia listed as the current starters. Eboigbe can push for extended time as a rookie so he fills a noticeable hole with this pick in the fourth round.
He did go through neck and spinal cord surgery in 2022 and came back to play at a high level, which says a lot about his determination. Jim Harbaugh also got a close look at him last year when Michigan played Alabama in the College Football Playoffs.
Justin Eboigbe on coming back from neck/spinal cord surgery in 2022: "It wasn't any luck. It was just work."
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) April 27, 2024
Says he can squat up to 600 lbs now, and the neck does not require any maintenance.
This is not one of those "sexy" draft picks, so it won't generate the kind of excitement that McConkey and Colson brought in earlier rounds. But it adds depth to a position of need and Eboigbe has solid upside, so it's hard to complain about it.
Grade: B
