San Diego Chargers 2015 NFL Draft Wrap-Up
Jul 20, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Miami Hurricanes linebacker Denzel Perryman addresses the media during the ACC football media day at the Grandover Resort. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Second round, pick #48: ILB Denzel Perryman, University of Miami
Proclaimed as Miami’s next Ray Lewis, Denzel Perryman played his four seasons at the U with more than a chip on his shoulder.
Born and raised in Coral Gables, Florida, it was only fitting that Perryman would end up at the University of Miami (which happens to be in Coral Gables for those of you who don’t know). During high school, Perryman had a historic career, recording 105 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions as sophomore, 126 solo tackles and an Area Defensive Player of the Year award as a junior and 137 tackles, seven for losses, four sacks and one interception return for touchdown as senior.
His freshman and sophomore seasons were respectable with 68 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and two fumbles forced in 2011 and 64 tackles, six tackles for loss and an interception returned for a touchdown in 2012. Perryman earned a third-team All-ACC selection by Phil Steele and All-ACC honorable mention by ACSMA and league coaches.
In 2013 though, Perryman broke out of his shell in a big way, recording 108 tackles, five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and three passes defended, earning him 2013 All-ACC, First Team (ACSMA, coaches), All-ACC, Second Team (Athlon Sports), ALL-ACC (Sporting News), 2013 All-America, Honorable Mention (SI.com) and Hard Hitter and Defensive MVP awards from the University of Miami.
Perryman’s senior season was even better with 110 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, five passes defended and three forced fumbles, giving him a finalist spot for the Butkus award as well as a spot on the third team All America.
At the combine, D.P. was not the fastest (4.78 40-yard dash time), but showed his impressive strength with 27 bench reps.
It is interesting to note Perryman’s strength despite his 5’11” height. You can notice in tape how aggressive and tough Perryman can be inside against the run. He has a speedy-quick burst off of the snap and has the durability to last a team a long time. Not to mention, because of his explosiveness, Perryman excels against offensive tackles in the secondary.
However, sometimes his aggressive nature on the football field can get him into trouble, causing him to bite on trick plays and to miss open-field tackle opportunities. As well, because he likes to deliver big hits (which the NFL doesn’t like), he may bring up some unneeded unnecessary roughness penalties.
As it stands right now, Manti Te’o, Donald Butler and Kavell Connor are the only inside linebackers on the Chargers roster/depth chart.
Originally I though Perryman would go in the fourth or third round of the draft. Instead, the Bolts took him in the second round and got themselves one great defensive prospect. Ever since Andrew Gachkar and Jarret Johnson left the team, the Bolts were in definite need of an inside linebacker to help stop the run. Gachkar and his eight tackles for loss last season will definitely be missed in 2015.
It’s a good thing though that Perryman was added because he is unstoppable against opposing ball carriers.
Perryman, while not a big coverage LB, is a big hitter and a huge presence in the run game.
This pick was a fantastic selection because it fills both the talent and need for an ILB. He’ll have to compete with the rest of the LB corps for the starting job, but I believe he has the talent to make not only the starting roster, but a big difference in a Chargers defense that ranked 26th in the league against the run.
Let’s hope DP is the answer to the Chargers woes in 2015.
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