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Roster Reset: Inside Linebackers

Ryan Watkins · 2025-05-29T05:42:02Z

Good Evening Stormcloud! Next up on the defensive side of the ball are the Off-ball, or inside, Linebackers. Much like the safeties there was less turnover here but there are still some transactions to analyze and positional value to be discussed! This evaluation will therefore include: Returning players who signed a new deal with the team External free agents who signed before the May 1st compensation pick exemption deadline Players who were added in any of the seven rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft Undrafted free agents (UDFA) who signed deals with the team after the draft Unsigned players who are listed as camp invites in media reports Note: If a player has an asterisk after their name (*) this means that they were added during the 2024 season and have been retained KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 08: Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley (0) in the first quarter of an NFL game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs on December 8, 2024 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire) Outgoing players Nick Niemann Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste The new look ILB room Incumbent (2): Daiyan Henley, Junior Colson Returning (2): Troy Dye, Denzel Perryman Free Agents (2): Del'Shawn Phillips, Kana'i Mauga Draft (0): N/A UDFA (1): Marlowe Wax Returning Troy Dye was brought in last off-season to be a special teamer with backup upside yet in the regular season he continually stepped up to the plate when injuries started to mount up. He was really impressive during a three game stretch between Baltimore, Atlanta and Kansas City where he grew into the run defense to a level that I don't think many people saw coming. Compare that to the preseason where he struggled to step into his gaps and you can see that he was able to grow into Jesse Minter's defense thanks to Navorro Bowman's guiding hand. Side note but Bowman's impact has been a level above what you could expect from a first time on-field coach. There is very little correlation between being a good player and a good coach so even though Bowman was one of the best Linebackers of his generation he should be given ample praise for the job he has done considering he was only an analyst at Maryland for a single season. The way he elevated Daiyan Henley's game stood out but everyone that stepped into the role was able to keep the game flowing without any major deficiencies and that is no mean feat. "Being back in a place where you're wanted and appreciated is an amazing thing for me. That was a big reason why I came back, plus a great locker room, great staff, great guys… It was just the right fit." Troy Dye on finding a home in powder blue Dye led the team with 391 special team snaps and that is where he is going to provide the most impact especially as the Chargers lost Nick Niemann in free agency and Tuli Tuipulotu will be seeing a reduced role due to his promotion to starting Edge, both players were core-four special team starters. He will likely be the captain and leader of Ryan Fickens' unit. Whilst it's good to know we can rely on him to step in and play at an adequate level at linebacker, his impact will come on the more under-appreciated side of the ball.Troy Dye getting in on the sack against the Titans Denzel Perryman, the last remaining San Diego Charger, returns to the team on another short term deal as he enters his 11th season since being selected by the Bolts in the second round of the 2015 draft. Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz clearly respected his experience when they sought out to reunite Denzel with the team that drafted him after three seasons away including stops in Houston, Vegas and Carolina (for a very brief time). His leadership shone immediately which was a necessity as was the older player in a young linebacker room with a young coach. It wasn't just his longevity that Bolts covered though, he set the tone that Jesse Minter wanted his Linebackers to play with through aggressive run fills and patient backside pursuits. "They brought me back for a reason, I still feel like regardless of my age, how many years it is, I still bring some kind of value to the team." Denzel Perryman on looking ahead to the 2025 season To play with light boxes and faster slimmer players at the second level of the defense the team needs players who can trigger downhill and hit the hole with force, Denzel continues to provide that at a remarkable level even if his body isn't quite holding up to the physical toll that play style takes. He missed the majority of the second half of last season with groin and toe issues and with Junior Colson hopefully stepping up, his play time may be reduced but when he is in the game expect to see him harrowing after the ball carrier in the only way he knows how. Free Agents Del'Shawn Phillips was brought in on a 1 year $2 million deal that speaks to his projection as a special teams ace. Phillips has been around the league appearing in 72 games with stops in Houston, Baltimore...

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Duck07

May 11, 2024 9:53 am

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From Harbaugh yesterday it doesn't sound like Colson will be the green dot this year (seems like it will stay with Derwin) but he could likely be a potential emergency back-up.

Where his knowledge of the system is far more important right now as a rookie will be in those last 15 seconds of the play-clock when the helmet speakers go mute and you need to communicate those pre-snap adjustments off of the called play.

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Roster Reset: Inside Linebackers

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