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NFL draft: Chargers select TCU WR Derius Davis to start Day 3

April 29, 2023

The Chargers started Day 3 of the NFL draft by giving quarterback Justin Hebert another weapon from Texas Christian.

Two days after taking wide receiver Quentin Johnston in the first round, the Chargers used the 23rd pick of the fourth round to select fellow Horned Frog receiver Derius Davis on Saturday.

“I went to Quentin’s party … I saw him get drafted,” Davis said on a media call. “We’ve been friends for quite a while, since we got to TCU. To have that relationship with him and being able to keep on playing with him, it is truly a blessing. I’m speechless right now.”

While he was second on the team to Johnston with a career-best 42 receptions for 531 yards this past season, the 5-foot-8, 165-pound Davis showed his value on special teams.

Davis won the Jet Award as the nation’s top return specialist, averaging 20.43 yards per kick returns and 14.89 yards per punt return, and was one of just five players with two punt returns for touchdowns.

“My game, as a returner, I always tell people that I’m explosive. Me personally, I feel like I get the party started,” Davis said. “At TCU, there were times where we didn’t have any points on the board and I was the first one to score during my return, so I feel like I’m a party starter. Hopefully, I can do that for the Chargers. I know I will do it for the Chargers. I’m just blessed to be a Charger. It’s just a blessing.”

The speedster, who ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL draft combine, came up with five receptions for a season-best 101 yards in the 65-7 CFP national championship game loss to Georgia on Jan. 9, 2023, at SoFi Stadium.

Davis finished the season with eight touchdowns – five receiving, two on punt returns and one rushing.

In other Day 3 picks:

The Chargers took Clemson offensive lineman Jordan McFadden in the fifth round. The 6-foot-2, 303-pounder was a three-year starter and team captain for the Tigers. Though the two-time All-ACC player lined up at both tackle spots, McFadden could see more time as a guard for the Chargers.

More to come on this story.

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