Chargers depth chart – Page 48

Chargers rookie LB Nick Niemann is special teams ace with starter upside

The Los Angeles Chargers may have themselves a gem in linebacker Nick Niemann.

The Chargers drafted linebacker Nick Niemann in the fifth-round with the intentions of him aiding a special teams unit that finished last in the league last season.

While the majority of his money will be made in that department in his first season, Niemann profiles as a player that can make an impact on the defensive side of the ball.

Niemann comes from a school that has a knack for producing quality NFL linebackers, with the likes of Ben Niemann (Nick’s older brother), Christian Kirksey, Anthony Hitchens, Josey Jewell.

Niemann had a solid career at Iowa. Even though he didn’t start until his last season, he was a key piece as an every-down weak-side linebacker, in which he posted 77 tackles (team high) and helped the team finish as a top-10 national defense in scoring and yardage.

Niemann, however, really turned heads at the Hawkeye’s Pro Day, where he posted a 40 time of 4.45, a shuttle time of 4.14, a 10-yard split in 1.48 seconds, which would have tied Jonathan Taylor for the fastest at the 2020 combine and a 6.67 second three-cone drill.

The testing numbers are eye-popping, but Niemann’s tape shows a player with the core traits that can contribute at the position at this level.

Niemann’s calling card is his tackling ability, as he ranked fourth in the Big 10 in tackles per game last season, averaging 9.6 hits per game.

Niemann is good interior run defender, showing very good mental processing to recognize blocking schemes quickly, which allows him to maximize his quickness to attack gaps, displaying physical toughness on contact to secure tackles in his gap.

Against outside runs, he shows the speed and range to be able to cover the field sideline-to-sideline. In addition, his processing ability helps him take good angles to intersect the ball carrier, helping raise his pursuit ability.

While Niemann does a great job of evading blockers in space and makes for a difficult second-level target for offensive linemen, he does lack technique and strength which will force him to struggle to match at the point of attack.

In today’s NFL, playing linebacker is more than just run defense, however.

Even though Niemann wasn’t tasked with a lot of responsibilities in coverage compared to other linebackers, he did enough sufficiently in that department to fare well in this league.

In man coverage, he has the speed to hang in space with slot receivers, and he should have no issue doing the same with athletic running backs and tight ends in the NFL.

In zone coverage, he shows comfort and route recognition skills across the middle as well as in the flats. When he sees the ball in the air, he has impressive movement skills to close the distance.

Finally, Niemann brings quickness and sufficient effort as a blitzer.

The bottom line is that Niemann is a talented linebacker 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.

Drue Tranquill, Kenneth Murray and Kyzir White stand above him on the depth chart at the moment, but if an injury were to occur, Niemann is the ideal guy that can be counted on to start in the upcoming season.

By Year 2 or 3, Niemann could be in a position where he is fighting for a starting job for the Chargers, given the fact that White will be a free agent at the end of the season and Tranquill will be at the end of the 2022 season.

With his skillset and developmental potential, Los Angeles might have a good one on their hands for years to come.

Projecting the Chargers’ running back depth chart in 2021

There’s Austin Ekeler. Then who?

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be breaking down the depth chart at each position for the Chargers.

Quarterback

Next up, I project what the running backs room will look like heading into the 2021 season.

RB1: Austin Ekeler

From undrafted free agent to one of the league’s most dynamic weapons. With his multi-dimensional skillset, Ekeler has totaled 1,901 yards on the ground and 2,079 receiving yards as well as 25 touchdowns in four seasons. Ekeler will get a decent amount of carries, but the coaching staff will still want to use his pass-catching abilities, which will see him line up in the slot aside from just the backfield. Under offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, Ekeler should receive a great amount of reps since he’s historically gotten his running backs involved more than almost any other team.

RB2: Justin Jackson

The second running back spot is where it becomes interesting. This will be a competition between Jackson, Joshua Kelley and sixth-round pick Larry Rountree III. The former Northwestern product gets the nod heading into the season, given his experience and production, when he is on the field, as he’s only played in 29 out of 48 regular season games. Jackson brings great vision and elusiveness coupled with pass-catching skills, and he’s averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Ultimately, the coaching staff will be holding hope that he can stay healthy. If so, he’s an ideal compliment to Ekeler who can impact the game in both facets.

RB3: Larry Rountree III

Assuming that the team rolls with three running backs into the regular season, Rountree wins the job over Kelley. Rountree joins L.A. after being one of the most productive backs in the SEC the past three seasons at Missouri, having posted 3,720 yards and 40 touchdowns. Rountree is an explosive runner who has good feet, contact balance, second-level vision and ball protection awareness, as well as passing game impact, projecting as a short-yardage and goal-line specialist. Another thing that gives Rountree the edge over Kelley is that he is one of the new coaching staff’s players. That’s an important factor with the roster-evaluation process.

What happens with Kelley?

The Chargers could send Kelley to the practice squad since he could still develop into a decent player after struggling with fumbles and confidence issues last season. Even if the team does ultimately roll with four running backs, I still believe Rountree has the advantage over Kelley.

Projecting the Chargers’ quarterback depth chart in 2021

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out what Los Angeles’ quarterback room will likely look like in 2021.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be breaking down the depth chart at each position for the Chargers.

First up, I project what the quarterback room will look like heading into the 2021 season.

QB1: Justin Herbert

Had the Chargers’ team doctor not accidentally punctured QB Tyrod Taylor’s lung in Week 2, who knows if we would have been able to see all of the greatness unfold. The accident, however, led to Los Angeles finding their quarterback of the future. In 15 games, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year completed 66.6% of his passes for 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions.

The 22-year-old set rookie records in touchdowns (36), passing touchdowns (31), completions (396), multi-passing touchdown games (10), games with 300 yards passing (eight), and three-passing touchdown games (six). He fell just 38 yards shy of passing Andrew Luck’s rookie record of 4,374 yards passing. Barring any injury, Herbert could establish himself among the elite quarterbacks by the end of the season.

QB2: Chase Daniel

Daniel has ties to offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, as the two spent four seasons together in New Orleans (2009-12). He has been considered an ideal veteran mentor for young quarterbacks, which is something he learned from Drew Brees during their time together with the Saints. In the early going of the offseason program, Daniel has been a great preceptor to Herbert.

“It’s been really good having him here,” quarterbacks coach Shane Day said. “I’m glad that we were able to get him, not only from the standpoint of teaching and kind of mentoring Justin, but he’s been able to give me some real-life experience, which is great, for this offense that I haven’t been a part of. So he’s been outstanding.”

QB3: Easton Stick

Drafted in the sixth-round of the 2019 NFL draft, Stick has gotten the short end of the stick (no pun intended), as he has limited experience after not having a preseason last year due to COVID-19. He will battle it out this year with Daniel for the backup spot, but I would not be surprised if he is on the outside looking in since Daniel’s familiarity with the offense and mentorship overrules. Stick could also be relegated to the practice squad if the team intends to only have two quarterbacks on the roster. Maybe, just maybe, Stick is used in the same gadget role as Taysom Hill. Unlikely, though.

4 Chargers players that fans are most excited to see in 2021

Who are Chargers fans looking forward to watching the most in 2021? Find out.

The Chargers are loaded with talented, which is why I wanted to get an idea of which members of the team fans are most excited to see this year as they look to make a playoff run under first-year head coach Brandon Staley.

With that being said, I went to our official Twitter and Facebook accounts to ask fans who they’re looking forward to the most. Below is a look at what the majority of the bunch said.

S Derwin James

Fans were eager to see James in his third season, but that was put a halt after he sustained a severe knee injury right before the end of training camp. The injury wiped out his entire 2020 season, which was supposed to be his bounce back campaign after being limited to five games the year before. Ensuring James is on the field in 2021 will be critical. James gives the Chargers a rare defender who can cover wide receivers, the best tight ends in the NFL, stop running backs at the line of scrimmage and put pressure on quarterbacks, all of which are key elements to determining their success rate.

S Nasir Adderley

After a year slowed by an injury and a sophomore slump, Adderley is in prime position to turn things around in Year 3, as he will be playing under head coach Brandon Staley, who has had plenty of success at maximizing his defensive player’s potential. The thought is that the team will be able to make full use of Adderley by utilizing his versatility instead of playing the free safety position, where he can be flexed in the slot (Star) and fill a sub-package safety-linebacker hybrid role (Money) due to his instincts, short area quickness and ball skills. If James stays injury-free and things click for Adderley, they could be one of the league’s best safety duos.

LB Drue Tranquill

Tranquill made an impact in his rookie season, finishing as the Chargers’ second-leading tackler with 75 total tackles, along with being tied for the most special teams tackles by any rookie (11). All eyes were on him heading into Year 2, but he only got to see the field not even for a full quarter after suffering an ankle injury in the season opener that knocked him out for the entirety of 2020. Looking ahead, Tranquill’s intelligence, communication, coverage skills and playmaking abilities are highly anticipated in Staley’s defense next to the ascending LB Kenneth Murray.

QB Justin Herbert

It’s no surprise that fans are excited to see the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year. Herbert, who wasn’t expected to play as early as he did, put together one of the best rookie campaigns in league history, finishing with 4,336 yards and 31 touchdowns, which resulted in shattered records. Heading into 2021, Herbert could be in for an even bigger season, given the fact that he will have all key skill players from last year returning and the additions of Jared Cook and Josh Palmer. Most importantly, Herbert will have plenty of time to get the ball to those guys with a competent offensive line that features All-Pro center Corey Linsley, Matt Feiler, Oday Aboushi and first-round pick Rashawn Slater. There are questions regarding Herbert and adapting to the new offense enforced by Joe Lombardi, but his high football IQ should allow him to overcome any challenges.

5 most under-appreciated Chargers players

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lists the players who aren’t getting the recognition that they deserve.

I asked fans on our Facebook and Twitter pages who they believe are the most under-appreciated players on the Chargers. For the most part, the answers were mutual.

With that being said, here are the five most under-appreciated members of Los Angeles heading into the 2021 season:

TE Donald Parham

Signed last offseason, Parham took advantage of his limited opportunities, as well as the season-ending injury to Virgil Green, where he recorded 10 catches for 159 yards and three touchdowns on 20 targets in 2020.

Heading into this season, even with the additions of Jared Cook and rookie Tre’ McKitty, Parham could see an uptick in production from last season due to offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s philosophy, where he will be an asset up the seam and a mismatch in the red zone.

During the final season that Lombardi called plays for the Lions, former Lions QB Matthew Stafford targeted the tight end on nearly 25 percent of his passes. In addition, Saints’ Drew Brees relied heavily on his tight ends.

CB Michael Davis

Despite coming into his own last season, Casey Hayward and Chris Harris Jr. still got the majority of the spotlight at the position. It was until injuries kept Hayward and Harris Jr. off the field when Davis finally started to get the recognition he deserved.

Davis slowed some of the league’s top receivers and made a few big plays in critical situations. He was on the field for 92% of the team’s defensive snaps, logging 64 tackles, 14 passes defensed and three interceptions, all of which were personal bests.

Heading into the upcoming season, Davis’ versatility in coverage, length and athleticism make him an excellent fit for Brandon Staley’s scheme. Yet to make a Pro Bowl appearance, there’s a chance that could change very soon for the 26-year old.

EDGE Uchenna Nwosu

For the past three seasons, Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram were the focus of attention at the position. All the meanwhile, Nwosu was making impactful plays against the pass and run, yet he was never rewarded for his hard work.

With his defensive snaps being under 40% in 45 career games, Nwosu has still managed to total 10 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 59 quarterback pressures and 44 hurries.

Now heading into his fourth season, Nwosu is in a position to breakout in a big way.

Not only has he flashed enough to be an effective player, but the sky is limit knowing what Staley could do to Nwosu’s game when factoring in what he was able to do with Leonard Floyd with the Rams last season.

Floyd is coming off his most productive year as a pro, totaling career-highs in sacks (12.5), tackles (55) and quarterback hits (19), as well as a career-best 52 total pressures.

If everything clicks, Nwosu could see career-highs in various categories, which could lead to a contract extension since he will be a free agent at the end of the season.

“I think Chenna can be a high-level player in this league. We love how he plays,” general manager Tom Telesco said.

WR Tyron Johnson

Coming into the 2020 season, there was the question of who would be the receivers that would establish themselves as reliable pass-catching options behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

One of those players was Johnson, who showed his true potential when injuries to Allen and Williams led to extended playing time.

In 12 games, Johnson amassed 20 receptions for 398 yards (19.9 yards per reception) and three touchdowns, with zero drops. Four of his first five receptions in the NFL went for 50 yards or more.

In 2021, Johnson has the opportunity to become one of quarterback Justin Herbert’s go-to targets because of how well he does in the intermediate and deep parts of the field, and he should reap the rewards due to his speed and hands.

RB Austin Ekeler

Ekeler has proven himself as one of the league’s best do-it-all running backs, but he still isn’t talked about as much compared to others at his position.

Asserting himself as a key piece in the offense with his multi-dimensional skillset, Ekeler has totaled 1,901 yards on the ground and 2,079 receiving yards as well as 25 touchdowns in four seasons.

With a competent offensive line and an offensive coordinator in Lombardi, who has historically gotten his running backs involved in the passing game more than almost any other team, Ekeler could be in for a career season.

“I know that Ekeler has some of the skill sets that I’m used to seeing in New Orleans with whether it was Reggie (Bush) or Darren Sproles or AK (Alvin Kamara),” Lombardi said.

5 Chargers players with roster spot in jeopardy after 2021 NFL draft

There are a few players from last season who might no longer be a part of the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021.

The roster-building process is nearly complete for the Chargers, as players will soon hit the field in preparation for the 2021 regular season.

After the moves that the team made, specifically from the 2021 NFL draft, there are a few players that see their roster spot in early offseason jeopardy.

Here’s a look at those five:

Chargers claim CB Kemon Hall off waivers

The Los Angeles Chargers added another cornerback to the roster.

The Chargers have claimed cornerback Kemon Hall off waivers.

Hall was undrafted out of North Texas in 2019. He signed with Los Angeles and played with the team through the preseason before going on the practice squad early in the regular season.

After being released by L.A., Hall bounced around the league, having spent time with the Vikings, Saints and Cowboys.

Hall joins a deep cornerback room led by Michael Davis, Chris Harris Jr., and rookie Asante Samuel, Jr.

He will be competing for a roster spot this summer with others, including Brandon Facyson, Donte Vaughn, John Brannon and Ryan Smith.

4 undrafted free agents who could make Chargers 2021 roster

The Los Angeles Chargers have had a great amount of success on bringing in hidden gems that went undrafted.

The Chargers added nine new members throughout the course of the weekend in the 2021 NFL draft. Following the event itself, they notched an additional 10 undrafted free agents who will all be fighting for a spot.

Los Angeles has had a great amount of success on bringing in hidden gems that went undrafted, including safety Adrian Phillips, tight end Antonio Gates and running back Austin Ekeler.

With that, here are four that could see their names on the 53-man roster when the 2021 season rolls around.

Takeaways from Chargers first depth chart of 2020

The Los Angeles Chargers released their first initial depth chart ahead of the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Chargers are days away from the start of the regular season against the Bengals.

Los Angeles released their first initial depth chart on Tuesday. Even though it’s subject to change at any given time, it’s unlikely it changes much before the opener on Sunday.

Jalen Guyton is listed as the No. 3 receiver, opposite of Mike Williams. If Williams can’t go on Sunday, I could see the team rolling with Jason Moore to fill the void. Moore has live game experience and he fits the mold from a physical standpoint.
Joshua Kelley is the No. 3 running back, even after he shined during training camp, and Justin Jackson missed a good chunk of time. While the team covets experience and familiarity, I expect Kelley to still get a decent amount of carries, given the change to a run-heavy offense. The back that produces more will get the bulk of carries as the season goes on.
On paper, Drue Tranquill is listed as the backup SAM linebacker to Kyzir White. But Tranquill worked as the starting WILL linebacker throughout camp. Meanwhile, rookie Kenneth Murray is penciled in as the starting WILL. This will likely change on the field, and we can expect to see a tandem of Murray and Tranquill the majority of the time with Denzel Perryman on obvious running plays.
Nasir Adderley and Rayshawn Jenkins are listed as the starting safeties, which means Jenkins could be slated to slide down to strong safety while Adderley plays the single-high role.
Desmond King is listed as both a cornerback and safety. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him get the bulk of the snaps as the team’s dimebacker.
Joe Reed is the starting kick returner, which is to be expected after the team released Darius Jennings. Meanwhile, King will resume his duties as the punt returner. If he struggles, rookie K.J. Hill will be next in line.

Former Notre Dame Star Poised for NFL Breakout?

Drue Tranquill was a star at Notre Dame despite dealing with multiple injuries. Now he’s on the rise for the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers.

Drue Tranquill was a star at Notre Dame. After entering school as a safety he transitioned to linebacker where he thrived, starring on the College Football Playoff participant in 2018.

Tranquill was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2019 and began the year starring on special teams before getting more playing time on defense as the year continued and him ultimately finishing with the second most tackles on the team.

Tranquill caught the attention of Josh Edwards at CBS Sports, as Edwards calls for a breakout 2020.

Tranquill is a more mobile linebacker used primarily in sub packages. Our breakout defensive team is going to be smaller, but no less impactful in our approach to combat more spread style offenses. Tranquill was all over the field last season. He should have more opportunities to make an impact with an improved defensive unit around him this season. – Josh Edwards of CBS Sports

Tranquill will have competition for playing time with what should be a healthier Chargers defense but certainly looks like he’s a solid NFL player in the making.