How does Uchenna Nwosu fit the L.A. Chargers defense?

Uchenna Nwosu will get to stay right at home with the Los Angeles Chargers. The team took the All-American linebacker out of USC in the 2nd round of the 2018 draft, Friday night.

Many considered Nwosu to be a sleeper in this year’s draft class and praised the Chargers for the pick. They came away impressed with Nwosu at the Chargers local pro-day and went ahead on taking him with the 48th overall pick in the draft. Now that the draft have come and gone, we look at how will Nwosu fit with Chargers defense. Currently the Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley runs a 4-3 defense, however there are times the right side defensive end is standing up to rush the quarterback. The three linebackers are often in coverage or blitzing in certain situations. With the Nwosu pick, the Chargers gave Gus Bradley an athletic linebacker with length, athleticisim, a high motor to get after the quarterback, and can drop back into coverage fluidly.

As mentioned on our scouting report the knock on Nwosu is that his strength isn’t enough for him to be an edge rusher right away. That don’t mean Gus Bradley won’t find a way to utilize his rookie linebacker in different situations. The Chargers will use Nwosu’s speed and athleticism off the edge or in different blitz packages to get after the quarterback. Nwosu also has the ability to get his hands up to deflect passes which is something Trojan fans are very familiar with. Bradley could also put Nwosu in pass coverage situations as well and use his athleticism and change of direction to drop back as well. Nwosu has safety instincts (Safety converted into an edge rusher back in high school/college) which is something you don’t out of a linebacker everyday.

There’s no doubt that Nwosu can see early playing time on 2nd/3rd down pass rushing situations. While he won’t be a full time edge rusher with Melvin Ingram occupying that spot, He could work his way to a potential starting outside linebacker for the Chargers.