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Things the Chargers can learn from 2019 playoff teams

By Faustino Felix

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs the ball up the middle and is tackled by Joey Bosa #97 of the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Chargers 23-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs the ball up the middle and is tackled by Joey Bosa #97 of the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Chargers 23-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 07: Wide receiver Zay Jones #12 of the Oakland Raiders is tackled by the linebacker Drue Tranquill #49 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the game at RingCentral Coliseum on November 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 07: Wide receiver Zay Jones #12 of the Oakland Raiders is tackled by the linebacker Drue Tranquill #49 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the game at RingCentral Coliseum on November 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Speed and athleticism at the linebacker position

When you look at some of the defenses that made a run into the playoffs, you see one common denominator. Their linebacker corps is fast and athletic. The 49ers have Alexander, Fred Warner and rookie Dre Greenlaw. The Titans meanwhile have Rashaan Evans, Harold Landry, Jayon Brown and Kamalei Correa.

The Packers have players like Za’darius and Preston Smith, and Rashan Gary, although they are mainly used as pass-rushers.

Other teams that are out of contention by now with fast and athletic linebackers include the Houston Texans and the Seattle Seahawks, who have Bobby Wagner, Shaquem Griffin, Ben Burr-Kirven and K.J. Wright. The first three of those all ran a sub-4.6 second 40-yard dash.

It seems like Telesco has already grasped this idea, as he has revamped the Chargers’ linebacker corps in the last few drafts, bolstering it with players like Drue Tranquill, Kyzir White, Uchenna Nwosu, and Emeke Egbule.

What could this mean for the Chargers?

It means that while most will clamor for a quarterback or offensive line help at the sixth overall pick, Clemson hybrid Isaiah Simmons may very well end up being the pick.

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