Denzel Perryman could be one of the best linebackers in the NFL for the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Los Angeles Chargers are happy to have linebacker Denzel Perryman leading the defense again in the upcoming season.
Perryman, 32, signed a one-year deal worth $3.65 million back in March to return to the Chargers, the same team that drafted him in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
While Perryman is entering his 11th season, he is still considered to be one of the league’s top linebackers.
Perryman’s former teammate, Manti Te’o, ranked the top 10 linebackers in the NFL and Perryman came in at No. 9.
My Chargers teammate for two seasons (2015 and ‘16), Perryman has an uncanny ability to sit while the ball is snapped, then shoot out of a cannon and meet the ball in the backfield. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Ray Lewis played the same way; both enjoyed decorated college careers at Miami. Perryman is entering his 11th NFL season and has been an underrated player for much of his career, partially due to a lengthy injury history. In his healthiest season in 2021, he logged 154 tackles and made the Pro Bowl with the Raiders. When his body’s right, Perryman is a reliable, hard-nosed, hard-hitting defender.
The other linebackers on the list were Bobby Wagner (Washington Commanders), Fred Warner (San Francisco 49ers), Dre Greenlaw (Denver Broncos), Lavonte David (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Roquan Smith (Baltimore Ravens), Alex Anzalone (Detroit Lions), Zack Baun (Philadelphia Eagles), Nick Bolton (Kansas City Chiefs) and Frankie Luvu (Washington Commanders).
Perryman’s inclusion on the list could certainly be biased considering Te’o came up with the ranking. However, it shouldn’t take away from the fact that Perryman is one of the best linebackers in the league.
Perryman missed six games last season for the Chargers, but if he can stay healthy, he could be viewed as one of the most important defenders for Los Angeles in the upcoming season.
BFTB community, what do you think of Perryman’s inclusion on Te’o’s list? Chime off in the comments section below with your thoughts and takes.