The linebacker position for the Chargers seems to be set on paper with Jatavis Brown, Kyzir White and Denzel Perryman coming back healthy, and the addition of Thomas Davis.
But the depth behind them is lacking, and it appears they are looking to the 2019 NFL draft to fulfill that as former Akron linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III is set to visit the team, according to Draft Wire’s Zach Hicks.
Los Angeles is quite familiar with the Akron football program as they drafted Brown in the fifth-round of the 2016 NFL draft. Brown has had success when healthy, so they want to see if they could land another talented linebacker from that.
In his college career, Gilbert had 353 total tackles and 3 interceptions. His numbers dropped off after being moved to strong side linebacker for his senior year, but his junior campaign was phenomenal. In 2017 he posted 141 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 7 passes defensed, and 3 interceptions.
The three-time All-MAC linebacker projects as a Will linebacker at the next level, where his speed and range can be aptly utilized. His remarkable athleticism should enable him to have success tracking running backs out of the backfield and matching up against athletic tight ends.
Gilbert currently projects as a Day 3 option, but given his success, traits and the Bolts’ knack for finding late-round sleepers, he could be worth considering heavily.
