LA Chargers: Rookie report card heading into bye week

Kenneth Murray: C-

2020 stats: 38 combined tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 passed defended

Kenneth Murray has shown some really good signs in his first five career games that should make him an above-average linebacker in the future, I am just not sure if the complete package is all there yet.

There are several instances this season of Murray using his athleticism and showcasing great play recognition skills to get to the ball carrier and make a sure tackle. He is a fantastic tackler and has been that hard-nosed linebacker that was advertised.

However, he has also been exposed to what we all knew was his biggest weakness: pass coverage. Injuries to the linebacker core have forced Murray to have a bigger role than he probably would have had otherwise, including in passing downs.

Murray, along with Kyzir White, has been picked on by opposing quarterbacks. The most recent example of this was a breakdown in coverage by Murray that led to a 41-yard touchdown pass to Jared Cook on Monday night.

Overall, his numbers are not fantastic because of this poor pass-coverage (he has a 46.8 defensive grade on Pro Football Focus) which would warrant a D or F from some.

However, because of the positive flashes and the fact that he has been thrown to the wolves this early in his career, I am not going to give Murray a failing grade.