Drue Tranquill, the first pick for the Chargers on the final day of the 2019 NFL Draft, was brought in as an athletic linebacker who was very capable and comfortable in coverage. He tested well at the combine, and his physical traits make him a more prototypical NFL linebacker than most of last year’s linebacker corps. The Chargers began their quest to upgrade the position by selecting Kyzir White (also a fourth-round pick) in 2018, and Tranquill’s ability to cover ground in the run and passing game makes him another future asset against the New England Patriots.
On Thursday night, Tranquill was given 25 defensive snaps, six fewer than current second-string MIKE linebacker Nick Dzubnar.