Denzel Perryman could start for San Diego Chargers

NFL Nation reporter Eric D. Williams assesses which rookies on the Chargers could earn a starting berth this season.

Why Denzel Perryman could start: As Chargers head coach Mike McCoy likes to say, the Chargers drafted inside linebacker Perryman in the second round for a reason -- he adds physicality and playmaking ability to the middle of a San Diego defense that struggled to stop the run last season. Donald Butler and Manti Te'o are still projected to start at inside linebacker in San Diego defensive coordinator John Pagano’s 3-4 defensive scheme. However, the duo missed a combined eight games in 2014. Perryman provides talented insurance should one of those two suffer an injury again in 2015. He also will see time on special teams. “We needed to get that depth, and to get guys that will make it competitive out there,” Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano said about the addition of Perryman. “It not only makes us better on defense, he makes our special teams better. And it pushes the veterans to always play at a higher level. Any position that we’ve had over the years, anytime there’s a lot of depth or guys pushing each other, that’s when you get the most out of each unit.”


(espn.com)