LA Chargers’ potential surprise cut #2: Kyzir White, Linebacker
If this one were to happen, it would be quite unfortunate. Kyzir White has shown flashes of potentially being the best linebacker on the team over the past two seasons. In particular the first three games in 2018.
If he were to get cut it would be because of two things, his health and the investment we’ve seen from the Chargers front office at the position group. Obviously, his rookie season ended prematurely due to a knee injury and his 2019 season started slow because of that same injury.
The linebacker room is a lot more crowded with the arrivals of Kenneth Murray and Nick Vigil this offseason. The team is going to give Murray all he can handle, and they should because they traded up to get him.
Vigil will likely take on the role previously held by Nick Dzubnar on special teams, but it’s also important to note that the best thing Vigil brings to the table is his ability in passing situations, which is also the best thing White brings to the table.
I think Perryman ends up making this roster. Coach Lynn loves his ability to wreak havoc behind the backfield in clear running scenarios. Even though Murray and potential breakout candidate Drue Tranquill should start, I expect Perryman to have a role on this team as well.
Including Nwosu, that’s five roster spots that are likely locked up. The team also brought in another former Notre Dame player in Asmar Bilal as an undrafted free agent and he’s reportedly been pretty impressive so far in camp.
Unlike Rochell, White does bring a versatile skill set to the table. I think he could very effectively fill the role previously held by Adrian Phillips. Once he found his groove this past season he was easily the team’s best linebacker in passing down situations, his performance in Denver particularly stands out.
That being said, it never really seemed like the team trusted him to be that kind of performer on a consistent basis. One game he would play a lot, and then hardly at all the following game.
His health concerns and the apparent lack of trust from the coaching staff makes him a potential cut candidate. If Vigil beats him out as the clear cut passing down linebacker, I don’t know if the team will be able to hold onto him.