Here are four defensive storylines to watch for the Los Angeles Chargers during training camp.
Deciphering crowded secondary
The Chargers have one of the most talented secondaries in the NFL, but the unit is jam packed with players vying for playing time.
Nasir Adderley, Los Angeles’ second-round pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, had high expectations heading into the summer, as many thought that he would make a nice tandem alongside safety Derwin James. But he was derailed by a lingering hamstring issue that had been ongoing even before he was drafted.
Meanwhile, Rayshawn Jenkins emerged in 2019 as a long-term solution at that position. This offseason, they signed Chris Harris Jr. to play in the slot, which has also left Desmond King with limited options to find playing time.
One possibility is playing Adderley at dimebacker — the sixth defensive back in the dime packages. Or he could play free safety in those packages, with Jenkins moving to dimebacker. In either of those scenarios, King likely wouldn’t be able to see the field.
The bottom line is that having a crowded secondary is a good problem to have. It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds.
Who will play dimebacker?
The “dimebacker” position is vital in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s defense. The dime linebacker is the sixth defensive back in dime packages, and essentially a safety-linebacker role.
Adrian Phillips played this position the past couple of seasons. But Phillips signed with the Patriots as a free agent, so the top spot on the depth chart is wide open.
I believe King would be a fine option after the Chargers signed Chris Harris Jr. to play the slot due to his skills in coverage and against the run. But there are a few different ways that Los Angeles could go about it.
Adderley will get a look. The team is confident that Adderley, whom they drafted as a free safety, has the physicality and versatility to play the position. Another realistic option is moving Jenkins from free safety to dimebacker and having Adderley play free safety in those situations.
One more player to watch is Alohi Gilman, the Bolts’ sixth-round pick. He fits the mold as a box safety, and he has the perfect skillset to be a special-teams ace and sub-package defensive back.
Jerry Tillery’s development
Tillery, Los Angeles’ first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, had expectations like any other first rounder would. He did not live up to those, with the exception of late in the season, where he finally started to show some flashes.
He was drafted to give the interior part of the defensive line a boost in the pass rushing department. You never want to make an excuse for a poor rookie season, but there could actually be a reason for it.
Tillery missed all of the spring practices since he spent the majority of it rehabbing his torn labrum that he suffered during his senior season at Notre Dame.
The hope is that this full offseason would enhance his game. If his technique and strength are improved during the regular season, Tillery, Justin Jones and newly acquired Linval Joseph could present a solid interior defensive line trio.
Linebacker alignment
The Chargers’ linebacker positional group has been a work in progress the past few seasons.
The team as prioritized the unit, adding a handful of players throughout the years. Heading into it, they have several intriguing options led by Denzel Perryman, Drue Tranquill and Kenneth Murray, the team’s first-round selection.
How the alignment for each member shakes up in camp will be interesting.
I believe Murray will be the starter at weak-side linebacker (WILL), which was formally played by Thomas Davis last season. I think Perryman plays MIKE on early downs in obvious running situations, and Tranquill will come on in passing situations.
But Murray has missed a lot of time due to COVID-19. So it’s possible the Chargers go with the more experienced look, starting Perryman in the middle and Tranquill at weak-side linebacker, with Murray filling more of a sub-package role.
Los Angeles also added Nick Vigil, the former Bengal, in free agency, and they will have Kyzir White, Malik Jefferson, Cole Christiansen and Asmar Bilal all fighting for playing time.
