Over the next couple of weeks, I will be breaking down the depth chart at each position for the Chargers.
Next up, I project what the linebacker room will look like heading into the 2021 season.
Kenneth Murray
Selected in the first-round of the 2020 NFL draft, Murray showed flashes in the run game, but he was a liability in coverage since he was tasked with a large load with both safety Derwin James and Drue Tranquill, two of the team’s best coverage defenders, out with injuries in Gus Bradley’s zone-heavy defense. Despite having a mixed bag of a rookie season, Murray still managed to finish the 2020 campaign with 107 total tackles (most by rookie since 2000), one sack, five tackles for loss and one quarterback hit. Looking ahead to this upcoming season, head coach Brandon Staley’s defense will play more to his strengths, which are as a run defender and a blitzer, playing more downhill.
Drue Tranquill
Drafted in the fourth-round of the 2019 NFL draft, Tranquill became a key piece on the defensive side of the ball. In 15 games played, three of which he started, Tranquill racked up 64 tackles (50 solo), four tackles for loss and one pass defended. On top of that, he finished tied for the most special teams tackles by any rookie (11). After enjoying his solid rookie season, it was expected that he was going to take another step in Year 2, but an ankle injury in the first game of the season put everything to a halt. Now heading into his third year, Tranquill will be one of the starting linebackers alongside Murray. His strengths as a run defender and coverage player will be dividends with what he will be asked to do.
Kyzir White
A fourth-round pick of the 2018 NFL draft, White flashed as early as his rookie season. The sample size was small because he was hindered by an injury that year. In 2019, he didn’t play that much because he struggled in the role as the starting middle linebacker, relegating him to a SAM linebacker, and in Bradley’s nickel-heavy defense, the playing time for the position is limited. Last season, White started in 10 games in which he amassed 77 tackles, four tackles for loss and three passes defensed. This upcoming season, White could be in for his best year yet in Staley’s defense. White has the versatility to be flexed in the slot (Star) and fill a sub-package safety-linebacker hybrid role (Money), and he is strong against the run and pass.
Nick Niemann
Niemann was drafted in the fifth-round of this year’s draft out of Iowa with the intentions of him aiding a special teams unit that finished last in the league last season. Even though that will be his primary role in Year 1, Niemann could be a reliable option if an injury was to occur. Niemann is a talented player who looks to fit the mold of the NFL’s new-age linebackers. He has the ability to make stops inside and outside the tackles and the coverage instincts and athleticism to stay on the field on third down.
Amen Ogbongbemiga
Ogbongbemiga, the undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State, has already caught the attention of special teams coordinator Derius Swinton II. Ogbongbemiga was a promising linebacker for the Cowboys, but his calling card right off the bat would be on special teams. He amassed over 500 ST snaps in college, and his range and solid tackling ability would make him a valuable asset on coverage units for the Bolts from Day 1.