Recently, the AFC West has undergone an arms race of sorts, yet it is not as typical as one would think. Are the San Diego Chargers in the thick of it, too?
The Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, and Denver Broncos are all alike in one specific area to their respective football teams. All three of these teams have some of the best edge rushing tandems in the National Football League. The Raiders have Khalil Mack and newly acquired Bruce Irvin, the Chiefs have Justin Houston and Tamba Hali, and the Super Bowl Champion Broncos have Von Miller and Demarcus Ware.
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Furthering this, in each of the last two seasons, all three of these teams have improved from their previous seasons either in record or playoff success. The only team in the AFC West that has downgraded each year for the last three years is also the only team with no proven pass rush, the San Diego Chargers.
Luckily for Chargers fan, there is hope for this team’s defensive ability. San Diego has long been cultivating their 2012 first round draft pick, Melvin Ingram. Last season finally gave the team a glimpse into what Ingram could really turn out to be as a football player. Ingram finally gave the Chargers a full 16 games in which he started in and tallied 65 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
On the other side, a second rounder that Tom Telesco traded up for, Jeremiah Attaochu showed promise as a potentially gifted pass rusher. Even with constant nagging injuries, Attaochu recorded 52 total tackles, six sacks, and a forced fumble.
The most encouraging part about watching both Ingram and Attaochu last season was seeing an electric duo that San Diego has not had in a long time. With both players healthy (Ingram and Attaochu), the Chargers’ edge rushers could very well compete for the title of one of the more elite tandems in the league.
Now what about the possibility that one or both of these players are not able to continue their seasons of good health? San Diego has quietly added much needed depth behind Ingram and Attaochu for this hazard. In the 2015 draft, the team added Kyle Emanuel, who was really only fully healthy for the season opener.
Yet in that one game, Emanuel showed vast potential, sacking Matthew Stafford while also picking off the Detroit quarterback. Along with Emanuel, the Chargers spent their most recent first round draft pick on uber-talented Joey Bosa. Many anticipate Bose being an incredible player who can truly line up at any position along the defensive line.
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One thing about this team is certain; last season’s ascensions of Ingram and Attaochu should leave the Chargers’ upcoming opponents searching for new ways to protect their quarterbacks. As these two both develop secondary techniques and improve their rushing tactics, San Diego’s defensive unit should only increase in production as a whole. Do not be surprised if Ingram and Attaochu are soon mentioned with some of the league’s best in regards to pass rush.