The 2023 season is just a month away, and with weeks of dead time during the quietest part of the NFL offseason, Chargers Wire is endeavoring to document each of Los Angeles’ players before the start of the team’s training camp.
The Chargers are chock-full of offensive talent heading into the 2023 campaign, but it is their defense that faces the higher expectations in Brandon Staley’s fourth year as head coach.
The team’s selection of former Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley in the third round of April’s draft cemented their commitment to improvement in that regard.
Henley is a complete player with excellent speed and range, good vision to play through blocks, an understanding of pass concepts that allows him to excel in coverage, burst and aggression as a blitzer and plenty of special teams experience.
A wide receiver and defensive back convert, Henley’s only been playing the position for three years, so he needs to refine the little details of the position. But he has the necessary traits and makeup to become a starter for the Bolts in his second season, especially after the presumed departure of Kenneth Murray, who is a free agent after the upcoming season.
Contract (2023): $750,000 base salary, $235,532 prorated signing bonus, $985,532 cap hit.
Acquired: The Chargers drafted Henley in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft with the 85th overall pick.
Quote: On how he would characterize his game:
“I would definitely say fast, low and to the ball. Just meaning that I’m always about the ball, I’m trying to get the ball. I’m sideline-to-sideline. Then, a downhill force. When I can make a hit, I can make a hit. I’m going to do it. Fun, I’m out there to ball, talk a little something on the side and make sure that my teammates are on the same page, as far as us being out here to win this game and have fun doing it.”
Highlight:
Washington St. LB Daiyan Henley is one of “Dames Dudes”!
I appreciate the range and level of physicality he plays with. He impressed me down in Mobile at the Senior Bowl! #2023NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/2rhumLszXG
— Full-Time Dame 💰 (@DP_NFL) April 12, 2023
