Chargers Training Camp Standouts: Rookie Cornerback and Second-Year Edge Rusher Shine

The Los Angeles Chargers are deep into training camp, and two young defenders are turning heads. Defensive Coordinator Chris O’Leary — the coach in charge of the defense — recently shared his excitement about watching these players when the "lights come on" in actual games.

Let’s break down who they are and why they matter.

Meet the Two Standout Players

What do these positions do?

• Cornerback (CB): Covers wide receivers, tries to stop catches, and breaks up passes.
• Outside Linebacker (OLB): Rushes the quarterback, sets the edge against the run, and sometimes drops into coverage.

Avery Smith: The Undrafted Rookie Making Noise

Why He’s Turning Heads

• 12 days of camp — and he’s already made multiple pass breakups and an interception.
• He’s doing exactly what he did in college at Toledo: leading the team in passes defensed every year he started.
• O’Leary specifically named him (along with Rodney Shelley) as a young corner he’s "excited to go see them challenge."

What Makes Him Special?

• Ball skills: He finds the football in the air.
• Consistency: He’s not a "one-day wonder" — he’s shown up day after day.
• Undrafted mentality: He’s playing like he has something to prove — because he does.

Important Callout:
Undrafted free agents like Smith face an uphill battle to make the final 53-man roster. Every practice and preseason game is a job interview.

Kyle Kennard: The Second-Year Leap

The Story So Far

• Rookie year (2025): Played only 80 defensive snaps across 5 games — limited role.
• This offseason: Came in "extra motivated, extra hungry" (per teammate Tuli Tuipulotu).
• Recent camp highlights:
  1. Won two 1-on-1 pass-rush drills in a single practice.
  2. Made a run stop against the starting offense in a full-team drill.

What Coaches See

• Improved effort: "Consistently getting better… the effort has improved."
• Expanded toolbox: Developed pass-rush moves and a nice toolbox in the run game.
• Strain between the whistles: He plays hard from snap to whistle.

Teammate Stamp of Approval:
"This year he came in extra motivated, extra hungry and he’s been doing great during camp. He’s having a great camp." — Tuli Tuipulotu (starting edge rusher)

The Depth Chart Reality

Kennard is fighting for snaps behind a loaded room:

1. Khalil Mack — Superstar veteran, future Hall of Famer
2. Tuli Tuipulotu — Rising star, team sack leader
3. Akheem Mesidor — Promising young rusher

Preseason games will decide if Kennard earns a rotational role or a core special teams spot.

What Coaches Actually Look For: "Trust & Production"

O’Leary revealed the exact two things he evaluates every defender on:

1. Trust — Can I count on you?

• Do you execute the defense correctly?
• Do you fit the scheme?
• Do you do your job consistently?

2. Production — Do you make plays?

• Are you around the football?
• Quarterback hits, pass breakups, tackles for loss, interceptions.
• How much do you affect the game?

Important Callout:
Trust comes first. A flashy player who blows assignments won’t play. A reliable player who makes some plays will.

What Happens Next? (The Road Ahead)

1. Preseason Games Begin — Real game speed, real tackling, real pressure.
2. Smith & Kennard Get Extended Looks — Coaches want to see them against other teams.
3. Roster Cuts Loom — Final 53-man roster due in late August.
4. Practice Squad Possibility — If they don’t make the 53, both could stick on the practice squad (16-player developmental roster).

Summary: Key Takeaways

• Avery Smith (CB): Undrafted rookie from Toledo → ball-hawking standout in camp → multiple PBUs + INT → college production translating.
• Kyle Kennard (OLB): 2025 4th-rounder → Year 2 leap → better effort, pass-rush moves, run defense → praised by coaches & teammates.
• Both face roster battles — Smith for a backup CB spot; Kennard for depth behind Mack/Tuipulotu/Mesidor.
• Coach O’Leary’s Formula: Trust + Production = Playing Time.
• Preseason games are the true test — Practice is practice; games are for keeps.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Q: What does "undrafted free agent" mean?
A: A player who wasn’t selected in the NFL Draft but signs a contract with a team afterward. They start with zero guarantees and have to earn everything.

Q: What is a "pass defensed" (PBU)?
A: When a defender legally knocks down or breaks up a pass intended for a receiver. It doesn’t have to be an interception — just stopping the completion.

Q: Why only 80 snaps for Kennard as a rookie?
A: The Chargers had veteran stars (Mack, Tuipulotu) ahead of him. Rookies at edge rusher often sit behind established players to learn.

Q: Can both make the 53-man roster?
A: Yes — but it’s tough. Smith needs to beat out other backup corners. Kennard needs to show he’s ready for NFL snaps now, not just potential.

Q: What’s the "practice squad" and why does it matter?
A: A 16-player developmental roster. Players practice with the team but don’t play in games (unless elevated). It’s a common landing spot for promising young players not quite ready for the 53.

Training camp is where dreams meet reality. For Avery Smith and Kyle Kennard, the next few weeks will tell us if they’re just camp stars — or the real deal.