2020 NFL Draft: 5 Best Defensive Rookie of the Year candidates

3. Kenneth Murray, LB, Los Angeles Chargers

Admittedly, when the Los Angeles Chargers selected Kenneth Murray, I scratched my head. They had more important needs, especially along the offensive line. For all of his talents, Murray isn’t going to move the needle for a Chargers defense enough to make them a winning team. Defensively, however, they have a squad that plays up Murray’s strengths.

Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley knows a thing or to about coaching great linebackers. During his tenure with the Seattle Seahawks, he coached two elite players at the position, Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright. Like Wright, Murray comes in with the same concerns regarding anticipatory skills. However, his strengths lie within his elite athleticism and length. He can blitz, drop into zone coverage and play downhill against the run.

He has a big body tackle that will help keep him clean in Linval Joseph. Jerry Tillery is an upfield tackle who’ll redirect the run making Murray’s reads a lot easier as he looks to take on and deconstruct blockers. Murray also has great timing on blitzes, so there’s no doubt he could get a few sacks. Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram will make it a lot easier when they collapse the pocket from the outside.

Aside from him blitzing from time-to-time, he’ll also see usage in coverage. His ability to squeeze passing lanes with his length and his 4.5 speed makes him an ideal backer to cover the seam. Between the talent up front and the defensive scheme, Murray could see a meteoric rise as one of the great young linebackers.