Last offseason the Chargers made the point to address the linebacker position, in which they did. A year later, they’re in a spot.where they need to add more depth, especially after releasing Thomas Davis and knowing Denzel Perryman only has one more year left on his contract.
I don’t think that the position will be addressed in the early rounds, simply because quarterback, left tackle and wide receiver are more glaring needs. But there will be a few options in the middle rounds that should intrigue Los Angeles.
Here are five that the team could consider:
Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State
After a productive career for the Yosefs, Davis-Gaither put himself on the map with a solid week at the Senior Bowl. The 6-foot-1 and 224 pounder is a great athlete with the speed and acceleration to make stops in the running game out in space. Even though it doesn’t show up much in the box, he makes plays behind the line of scrimmage by weaving his way through traffic. Davis-Gaither is strong in both zone and man coverage where his change-of-direction skills and range standout, showing the ability to stay on the hip of faster receivers in the slot. He projects as a Will linebacker, but he could serve as an additional blitzer, too.
App State LB Akeem Davis Gaither with an impressive TFL. Goes under the TE and then uses an effective rip to beat the dowb block before disengaging pic.twitter.com/6UhpAqePot
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) March 22, 2020
Troy Dye, Oregon
Dye, the 6-foot-3 and 231 pounder has plenty of experience under his belt, starting 48 of 50 games for the Ducks. He has on the thinner side, which correlates to the lack of power when taking on blockers. However, Dye has encouraging athleticism, speed to cover ground in the running game and has the movement skills and intelligence against the pass in zone coverage, which is where he’s at his best, projecting best as a Will linebacker.
This is why I love Troy Dye's projection to the next level: NFL-ready cover skills.
One of the best man coverage reps you'll see from a college LB: Stays in phase with Colby Parkinson (a top 100 prospect), turns and makes a play on the ball at the high point. That 6'4 length > pic.twitter.com/wn8DjBFgLa
— Jonah Tuls (@JonahTulsNFL) August 25, 2019
Davion Taylor, Colorado
Davion, the 6-foot and 228 pounder is a former All-Pac-12 sprinter. That track-speed is evident on the field where he is found making tackles sideline-to-sideline and in the backfield in the snap of a finger, making sound tackles. In the passing game, Taylor is smooth in his dropbacks and can stick with most position players down the field. Like Dye, he is built on the smaller side for the position. But he is a tough player that has a skillset to translate smoothly to a Will linebacker.
David Woodward, Utah State
Woodward, the 6-foot-2 and 230 pounder was having a heck of a junior campaign where he tallied 93 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, four forced fumbles and two passes defensed before an injury ended his season seven games into the 2019 season. He has dealt with some injuries since high school, drawing some durability concerns. But when he is on the field, he raises some eyebrows. Woodward is an explosive athlete with the range to make plays sideline-to-sideline, always seeking contact, and he is stout in man coverage, showing the speed to mirror and run with running backs and tight ends.
We need to talk more about David Woodward in this ILB class man. This game against Wake Forest is some of the best ILB tape I’ve seen this year.
He’s instinctive, athletic, and a playmaker. He’s all over the field. I’m extremely impressed. pic.twitter.com/VqGcAFhwqa
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) February 9, 2020
Francis Bernard, Utah
After spending two seasons at BYU, another at the JUCO level and last season as a Utah reserve, Bernard shined in the starting role. The 6-foot and 234 pounder plays with plus instincts against the run, and shows terrific skills as a tackler. Bernard needs to gain a better feel for passing concepts, but he has the play speed, high motor demeanor to be an impactful, productive linebacker at the next level, projecting as a Mike linebacker and key special teamer.
