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Jerry Tillery vs Lions interior offensive line: Best Chargers Week 2 matchup

By Tyler Schoon

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 15: Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Jerry Tillery (99) causes a fumble by Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14), the Commodores recover football during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Vanderbilt Commodores on September 15, 2018, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Marcus Snowden/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 15: Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Jerry Tillery (99) causes a fumble by Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14), the Commodores recover football during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Vanderbilt Commodores on September 15, 2018, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Marcus Snowden/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Jerry Tillery may have his first chance to shine in the NFL against the subpar interior offensive line of the Detroit Lions…

Jerry Tillery may not have an opportunity to make splash plays against a very formidable Colts offensive line in Week 1, but could have his first break out game when the Chargers face the Detroit Lions the following week. If the Lions’ depth chart remains the same, Tillery could very well earn his first career sack against a weaker interior offensive line.

PFF Grade:

  • LG Frank Ragnow: 61.9, 39th-ranked
  • C Graham Glasgow: 68.2, 15th-ranked
  • RG Kenny Wiggins: 54.8, 59th-ranked

What Tillery brings:

Tillery was regarded as one of the 2019 NFL Draft’s premier pass-rushing defensive tackles, a position the Chargers desperately needed to improve following the departure of Darius Philon. His massive frame, immense power, and surprising speed make him an exciting prospect. To excel in the NFL, Tillery will have to learn to play his size better, as well as develop counter moves required to succeed against smarter and stronger competition.

Jerry Tillery can win all three ways on the defensive line. The 2019 NFL Draft Film Room series continues with @PFF_Mike.

? : https://t.co/Lsn5jClBLn pic.twitter.com/yeOc8P8DUP

— PFF (@PFF) February 5, 2019

What makes this the best matchup of Week 2:

Fans will hold their breath as a first-round rookie hits the field for the first time. If he plays well, excitement builds and they can feel relieved their general manager may have made the right call. If it’s a poor first start, it doesn’t kill all optimism, but fans may begin to worry.

Tillery’s first NFL regular season game will come against the Colts, but it is unlikely he will make an impact against one of the best offensive lines and smartest quarterbacks in the league. Fans will be eager to see how he performs, but should expect No. 99 (no longer Joey Bosa) to show flashes of his collegiate dominance a week later against the Lions.

There are two factors that may contribute to Tillery’s performance:

  1. How far he has recovered from his injury.
  2. Whether or not the Chargers have placed him ahead of Justin Jones on the depth chart.

The Chargers most unique players. Next

Given the chance to play, Tillery will face a Lions offensive line who gave up 41 sacks in 2018, tied for 14th in the NFL. It’s not the best one-on-one matchup of the game, but it will be the most highly anticipated battle featuring the Chargers’ first-round pick.

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