Los Angeles Chargers: The perfect replacement for Kyle Emanuel
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Chargers should look to add at linebacker with the several free agents and have the perfect replacement for Kyle Emanuel lined up.
The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the most exciting defenses to watch in the NFL. While they might not be up there with the Chicago Bears or Baltimore Ravens, the Chargers defense can definitely hold their own.
Just look at the masterful job the defense did to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card Round, completely shutting the offense down until the end of the game.
Of course, the defense then laid a goose egg in the Divisional Round against the New England Patriots. The Patriots exposed the Chargers’ zones and the Chargers did not adjust in time.
More from LA Sports Hub
- Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run
- LA Chargers: Week 8 against Denver Broncos is a must-win
- LA Rams: Jared Goff wants to keep the Los Angeles title streak going
- Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Rajon Rondo
- LA Chargers: Justin Herbert wins AFC Rookie of the Month
While the Chargers’ defense is exciting to watch, the one area on the defense that could have been improved last season, and would have helped a whole lot against the Patriots, is at linebacker.
This offseason, the Chargers have the perfect chance to naturally upgrade at the position as the team has several free agent linebackers. The front office should look to bring back some (Denzel Perryman) while moving on from others (Kyle Emanuel).
There is nothing wrong with Emanuel but the team can certainly improve from him. That is the case this offseason as the perfect replacement is now on the market after being released by the Cleveland Browns.
That perfect option is Jamie Collins.
Anthony Barr has also been thrown around as a potential target for the Chargers but it hard to see the Chargers spending that much on an outside free agent. That is something the team rarely does.
However, Collins should be in the Chargers’ price range as he can be signed for a three-year deal worth about $12 million.
Collins is the perfect outside linebacker to play in a 4-3 scheme as he can get to the outside to stop the run as well as serve as an anchor in the running gaps in the offensive line. He can drop into coverage and really does not have any huge holes in his game.
He might not be elite at any one thing but Collins can do it all at a good level and that would be just what the Chargers need. The Chargers’ defense is already full of playmakers and having a consistent anchor at outside linebacker would be huge.
Plus the Chargers defense is relatively young and inexperienced and Collins has two Super Bowl rings under his belt. That kind of experience, especially for the Los Angeles Chargers, is huge.
Next. Don't get excited about Weddle. dark
Title windows are not that large in the NFL and the team should be looking to add experienced pieces that can help right away. Collins fits the billing to a tee.