The Chargers’ season ended heartbreakingly, but there was still plenty of good to take away from 2021, including players who surpassed their expectations.
Here are three players who exceeded expectations:
LB Kyzir White
The Chargers always had a talented player in White, but his undefined role in Gus Bradley’s defense kept his playing time to a minimum. That was until Brandon Staley came aboard, and with his system, it was able to maximize White’s true potential. Manning the middle of the defense with the ability to play freely in space, White was impactful against the run, in coverage, and as a blitzer. He had 144 tackles, seven for loss, three passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a sack.
OT Rashawn Slater
The Chargers knew that they had their left tackle of the future when they snagged Slater in last year’s draft. However, the team had no idea that he would establish himself as one of the best at his positions in Year 1. Facing the league’s best edge defenders week in and week out, Slater allowed just 26 pressures and four sacks while mauling defenders in the run game en route to being named a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro.
OT Trey Pipkins
Pipkins was selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft with the hope of developing into a starter. However, he was being written off amid his struggles in his first two seasons. When Slater was ruled out with COVID-19 in Week 15 against the Chiefs, Pipkins was called on to make the start in place of him. On 42 pass-blocking opportunities, Pipkins allowed just three pressures. Two weeks later against the Broncos, he started at right tackle in the absence of Storm Norton. He did not surrender a single pressure on 32 opportunities. While it was a small sample size, Pipkins is a prime example that scheme and coaching are significant factors in the development of mid- late-round offensive tackles.
