Last offseason, the Chargers made the point to prioritize the linebacker position by making a slew of acquisitions that included re-signing Denzel Perryman, signing linebacker Thomas Davis and drafting Drue Tranquill.
Fast forward to now, Davis and Jatavis Brown are no longer with the team, Perryman only has one more year left on his contract and there are concerns with Kyzir White’s availability due to a knee injury that might still be lingering from 2018.
Los Angeles signed Nick Vigil to a two-year deal, but it remains to be seen if he is viewed as a starter or just a depth piece and core special teamer. Malik Jefferson was also added into the mix, but he spent 2019 on the practice squad.
Earlier this month, coach Anthony Lynn said that Perryman is pencilled in as the starting Mike linebacker. But Tranquill will compete there and at the weak side linebacker position.
“If we get a guy in the draft. Drue could also go over and play MIKE. So we’ll see.”
A remark like this tells their stance on Perryman, likely indicating that the position sits atop of the team’s needs still.
I listed five potential mid-round options before Lynn threw out that statement, but now it wouldn’t be surprising for the Chargers look to address it earlier than that.
Former Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons is a popular option if he is available at No. 6 overall. Similar to Derwin James, Simmons is a do-it-all defender who can defend the run, turn-and-run with positional players in coverage and blitz off the edge.
If they elect to draft their quarterback of the future in Round 1, Day 2 options that could be an instant impact-makers include Wyoming’s Logan Wilson, Ohio State’s Malik Harrison, Appalachian State’s Akeem Davis-Gaither, among others.
The Chargers also lost Adrian Phillips in free agency, so they could double dip at the position by taking a hybrid outside linebacker on Day 3.
The bottom line is that after reading through the tea leaves, don’t be surprised if a linebacker is taken before other positions of need like offensive tackle or wide receiver.