Los Angeles Chargers: 3 players who could surprise in 2021

2. Chris Rumph II, EDGE

New head coach Brandon Staley inherits a Los Angeles Chargers defense that was pretty pathetic last season when it comes to sack production off the edge.

Joey Bosa played in 12 games and led the team easily with 7.5 sacks. Uchenna Nwosu added 4.5 sacks in 13 games last season and former first-round pick Melvin Ingram was let go in free agency.

In Staley’s defense, there will be plenty of opportunities for players to come in off the sideline and make an impact in the pass rush department. He’s done tremendous work with the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, and last season with his top-ranked Los Angeles Rams defense which saw former first-round pick Leonard Floyd hit a career-high of 10.5 sacks.

Chris Rumph II may be undersized at 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, but this guy can get after the QB.

https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1388535377535901698

Undersized or not, Rumph simply gets after the quarterback with a high rate of regularity and success.

With Joey Bosa commanding so much attention off the other edge, Rumph has a really good shot of being a surprise rookie in rotation off the other edge with Uchenna Nwosu and veteran Kyler Fackrell who should see some work.

Rumph may not play more than 350 snaps if he even gets there, but in this defense with so many weapons all around, it would almost be surprising if he didn’t have a substantial impact.