Chargers LB Coach checking out Shaq Thompson and Hau’oli Kikaha

San Diego Chargers LB coach Mike Nolan was on hand for University of Washington’s Pro Day. He likely was watching Shaq Thompson and Hau’oli Kikaha.

The San Diego Chargers linebackers coach Mike Nolan is in attendance at the University of Washington and there are a number of prospects that the team could have their eyes on out there. The Chargers could have their eyes on Danny Shelton, Shaq Thompson or Hau’oli Kikaha in the coming draft. They all would be possibilities for the Chargers with their selections.

Danny Shelton would be that nose tackle that we have been missing for a long time. He would be able to stuff the run game and take on blockers to free up players like Corey Liuget, Melvin Ingram and Jerry Attaochu to get to the quarterback. He would also be able to free up Manti Te’o and Donald Butler to get to the running backs. Shelton would be expected to be taken in the first round if he were taken by the Chargers.

Currently, the team is using Sean Lissemore as the nose tackle on defense. The team seems comfortable with him and Ryan Carrethers at the position, but the team would get a massive upgrade if Danny Shelton were added to the middle of the defense.

Per @RobRang Chargers LBs coach Mike Nolan at U of Washington pro day. Shaq Thompson, Hau'oli Kikaha and Danny Shelton potential targets..

— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) April 2, 2015

Shaq Thompson is an athletic linebacker that has great instincts on the defensive side of the football. He doesn’t have the best size on the outside and might not be the best fit on our roster. Tom Telesco doesn’t seem to concerned with the size of his players as long as they are productive in college, but it will be tough for him to set the edge as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the Chargers scheme.

Thompson also could see some action as a running back in the run game. He is that versatile, but his main production would come from the linebacker position. He is expected to be taken in the late first to second round. If he were brought to San Diego, he would rotate with Melvin Ingram and Jerry Attaochu on the outside.

Hau’oli Kikaha is one of the top edge rushers in the draft. He might be the player that the Chargers most likely would pick up of the three. As a pass rusher, he could rotate with Melvin Ingram and Jerry Attaochu on the outside and would see plenty of action on the defense. He would likely compete for playing time with Jerry Attaochu.

With Mike Nolan being the coach out in Washington to check out the talent during the Pro Day, we would have to assume that he is there to see the linebackers Thompson or Kikaha. He wants to see what these linebackers can do for his defense. Will they be able to fit in the Chargers scheme. Kikaha could be a player that we take in the 2nd or 3rd round.

Would you want any of these players on the Chargers defense?

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