After the NFL Draft concludes teams get the chance to sign players who were not selected as rookie free agents. The Chargers added 20 of those guys on Saturday afternoon, 12 on offense and eight on defense. The full list is as follows:
Mike Bercovici, QB – Arizona State
Jamaal Jones, WR – Montana
Dominique Williams, WR – Washington State
Deandre Reaves, WR – Marshall
Jay Rome, TE – Georgia
Kenneth Farrow, RB – Houston
Chris Swain, RB – Navy
Tyler Johnstone, OT – Oregon
Zeth Ramsay, OT – Colorado Mesa
Spencer Pulley, C – Vanderbilt
Sebastian Johansson, G - Marshall
Mike McQueen, G - Ohio
Chris Landrum, OLB – Jacksonville State
Tyler Marcordes, OLB – Georgia Tech
Shaq Petteway, LB – West Virginia
Larry Scott, CB – Oregon State
Trevor Williams, CB – Penn State
Terrell Chestnut, CB – West Virginia
Carlos Wray, DE – Duke
One man who will already have a built-in fan base in San Diego is running back Chris Swain. He’s 6 feet tall and weighs 247 pounds, making him look fairly similar to a fire hydrant on legs. Swain was a big part of the Midshipmen having the second-ranked rushing offense in college football in 2015.
Historically service academy graduates had to spend time fulfilling their military service obligation before being allowed to become a professional athlete. But, thanks to a recent rules change, Swain has a chance to start his NFL career immediately.
Before last season Joe Cardona, a long snapper taken in the 5th round by the Patriots was able to earn a roster spot and win the starting special teams job in New England. Cardona started every single game for the Pats. Now instead of having to do two years of service followed by six years in the Naval Reserves, the Navy is willing to give recent Annapolis graduates a temporary duty while awaiting assignment.
Cardona was simply stationed at the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island, so he served his Navy commitment while still being a full-time NFL player. If Swain is able to earn a spot with the Chargers, I’m pretty sure we can find a place for him to fulfill his Navy duties in America’s Finest City.
Fellow running machine Keenan Reynolds, who was Navy's quarterback and set the NCAA career rushing touchdown record last season, will also have the chance to live his NFL dream. Reynolds was drafted as a running back in the 6th round of the Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.
