3 reasons the Los Angeles Chargers should be excited about Dylan Cantrell

With the 191st pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers selected Texas Tech wide receiver Dylan Cantrell. With his skillset, I personally think the Chargers got a steal in this draft and here are three reasons why the Chargers should be excited that they took a chance on Cantrell.

1. He’s gotten better every year

Cantrell has been a fixture on the field for the Red Raiders since 2013 when he caught only nine passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. He took a step up in his sophomore season before missing the 2015 season with an injury. He then took another big step the following year, finishing with 58 catches and 675 yards with 8 touchdowns. He finally became one of the focal points of this offense and was looking to improve more coming into his senior year. He improved slightly with 67 catches for 790 and 7 total touchdowns. The main point here is that Cantrell puts work in during the off-season and is a hard worker. This work ethic gives him the potential to become a great player.

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2. Athleticism

There’s no denying it, Cantrell is a workout warrior. He had one of the most complete workouts in the NFL combine and will be a weapon for this Chargers team. At 6’3 and 220 lbs, he has a big enough frame to help on special teams as a blocker early on while he works on fine-tuning his receiving skills. I believe the Chargers will use him as an outside receiver and he can learn from Keenan Allen and other big-bodied receivers on this team. With 4.6 second 40-yard speed along with him having some of the best times in the agility cone drills at the combine, Cantrell has all of the physical tools and the work ethic to make him a receiver in the NFL.

3. Phillip Rivers and the passing game

Rivers has been the face of the Chargers for 12 years now. He is nearing the end of his career, but that doesn’t mean he’s lost a step. Rivers is one of the best quarterbacks in the league and Cantrell can learn a ton from him. This team loves to throw the ball, as Rivers has consistently put up 4,000-yard seasons since 2006. This not only gives Cantrell a chance to just make this team but to be a contributor as well. Rivers won’t only be helping Cantrell get better but he is also going to be mentoring what could be his own replacement in Nic Shimonek, also a former Red Raider.

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How excited are you all about Dylan Cantrell getting drafted by the Chargers? Do you see him as a good receiver in the NFL? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below!