Henley was my top linebacker in this draft class, and although it was a weak LB class, I always thought he could be a day 1 starter for whatever team drafted him. He is currently listed as 2nd-team LB, but I think that he will see a large chunk of reps this year with the 1st team. 

He is a guy who can affect all 3 levels of the game on defense, which I think provides tremendous value to his game, and makes him a player that you cannot keep off the field for very long. 

Chargers LB Daiyan Henley Film Breakdown

Click here to accept Marketing cookies and load this content

Disclaimer: The following is a transcript of a YouTube video titled “Daiyan will be the Chargers LB1 in No Time” The content is for informational purposes only and was originally presented in video format.

The Chargers drafted linebacker Daiyan Henley in the third round of this year's draft, and he held the top spot in my linebacker rankings. While the linebacker class was relatively weak, he stood out as one of the few off-ball linebackers I believed had the potential to start as a rookie. 

Currently, he's listed on the second team behind Eric Kendricks and Kenneth Murray. Although Kendricks continues to perform well, he's 31 years old, and while Kenneth Murray showed promise at times, he hasn't fully developed into a starting-level run defender. 

Consequently, Henley should find opportunities on the field this year, and there's a possibility he could secure a starting role as a rookie.

So far in the preseason, Henley has been on the field for 91 snaps across the first two weeks. He's contributed with 11 tackles, two pass breakups, a sack, and a PFF grade of 78.0. 

What's particularly impressive about Diane Henley is his impact across all aspects of the game. He demonstrates instinctive skills as a run defender, successfully evading and shedding blocks. Transitioning from being a receiver, he boasts exceptional movement abilities in coverage. 

Additionally, he adds value as a pass rusher, evident from his five sacks in his final season at Washington State. Notably, Chargers' defensive strategy under Brandon Staley involves utilizing linebackers in blitzes, and Henley could play a significant role in this, given the Chargers' eighth-ranked blitz rate in the previous season.

Analyzing specific plays, one instance shows Henley's adeptness at fitting the C Gap and redirecting the run play inside. In another, he disrupts the run scheme by penetrating the A Gap and influencing the guard's blocking responsibilities. 

In a crack toss play, he effectively maintains his gap integrity despite blockers' attempts to manipulate the play. Moving to his coverage skills, Henley showcases quick hand movement to break up a pass while positioned in the hook zone. 

Although there are still aspects to refine, his potential impact is evident. In my assessment, Henley's rapid mental processing, combined with his athletic traits, positions him for success. While it's wise to introduce young linebackers gradually, Henley has the potential to become the Chargers' top linebacker once he's fully integrated into the rotation. 

If you enjoyed the content, don't forget to like and subscribe, and feel free to share any NFL players or teams you'd like me to cover in the comments section.

If you like this video, then be sure to check out more NFL and college football film breakdowns on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter!