Los Angeles Chargers: Five remaining free agents that fit the roster

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(Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images) – Los Angeles Chargers /

Michael Wilhoite, ILB

And here we are again, addressing the Chargers’ need for a middle linebacker once again. Luckily for the Chargers, there are several solid interior linebackers still available on the free agent market. One of which was Brian Cushing, another intriguing option being former Seattle Seahawks’ middle linebacker Michael Wilhoite.

Wilhoite was a member of the San Francisco 49ers for five seasons before signing a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks prior to last season. In one year with Seattle, Wilhoite started nine of his 14 total games played, making just 26 combined tackles.

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In fact, Wilhoite’s entire career has served as a rotational linebacker that never was given a ton of snaps on the field. Overall, Wilhoite has started 45 of his 79 games played. When he did start, he still was not on the field as long as a typical starter.

That may be exactly what the Chargers need. A high energy guy that is used to the reduced workload that can come in during key situations and provide a spark for the defense.

Wilhoite has great athleticism, evident by him playing six different positions in college with Washburn University. While the Chargers would use him primarily as an interior linebacker to stop the run, he could come in against certain sets in a hybrid role, providing the Chargers a different look than any of the other linebackers can give him.

At the very least, he will be a very solid special teams player for the Chargers. In the best-case scenario, Wilhoite will serve as a Swiss Army Knife, serving various different roles against select key packages.

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Brian Cushing may be the better overall player and may be able to produce more as a starter. However, Wilhoite is interesting all in his own right as well.

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