Saturday Blitz
Fansided

NFL Draft 2020: Top 3 candidates for Defensive Rookie of Year

By Michael Hanich

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 01: Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes chases down Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats in in the third quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 01, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 01: Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes chases down Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats in in the third quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 01, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
NORMAN, OK – NOVEMBER 9: Linebacker Kenneth Murray #9 of the Oklahoma Sooners wraps up quarterback Brock Purdy #15 of the Iowa State Cyclones for no gain in the second half on November 9, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners won 42-41. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – NOVEMBER 9: Linebacker Kenneth Murray #9 of the Oklahoma Sooners wraps up quarterback Brock Purdy #15 of the Iowa State Cyclones for no gain in the second half on November 9, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners won 42-41. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

LB. Kenneth Murray. 1. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Oklahoma. 13

After selecting a future franchise quarterback in Oregon’s Justin Herbert with the sixth overall pick, the Chargers were not done in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Chargers traded their second-round and third-round selection to the New England Patriots so they can draft their day one starting middle linebacker in Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray.

The Chargers needed more impact from their middle linebackers where Denzel Perryman accounted for 68 total tackles and five tackles for loss in the 14 games played and 10 starts at middle linebacker. Drafting Murray will help upgrade the Chargers’ defense that was ranked 18th in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (112.8).

Last season, the Chargers’ defense seemed lost at times without the leadership capability of safety Derwin James for 11 games due to a fractured foot.

Murray provides great leadership for the linebackers as well as great play recognition. Last season, Murray accounted for 102 total tackles, 69 solo tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and four pass deflections. In the 2018 college football season, Murray accounted for 155 total tackles and 12.5 tackles for loss.

Murray will be a defender that will impact the defense immediately and transcend himself as a leader for the Chargers’ defense.

The last linebacker to win defensive rookie of the year was Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard in 2018. Before that, Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly won the award in 2012. Murray can be an impact instantly in his first year like Kuechly for years to come.

Next. Ranking college football's top 50 fanbases. dark

Home/NFL Draft