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Chargers top 5 breakout season players in 2021: EDGE Uchenna Nwosu

Every season, there are players who break out onto the scene who may not have been dominant the season before, whether they had limited snaps, dealt with an injury or just improved as a player in the offseason.

This is the first story in a five-part series counting down the top Chargers players who I believe are most likely to have a breakout season in 2021.

Part 1: WR Tyron Johnson

Part 2: DT Jerry Tillery

After being relegated to a rotational role the past three seasons, Uchenna Nwosu, the team’s second-round pick in 2018, is positioned to take a big leap this upcoming season.

Last season, Nwosu proved to be the team’s second best pass rusher behind Joey Bosa and a consistent run defender, but he was never rewarded for his efforts.

Instead of being given a set role, Nwosu was used as an off-ball strongside linebacker as well as a situational pass-rusher.

Now heading into his fourth season, Nwosu currently projects as a starting edge defender in head coach Brandon Staley’s 3-4 system, with Melvin Ingram no longer taking the spotlight.

With his defensive snaps being under 40% in 45 career games, Nwosu has still totaled 10 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 59 quarterback pressures and 44 hurries.

The anticipation with Nwosu going into the 2021 season is real.

Not only has he flashed enough to be an impactful starter, but the sky is limit knowing what Staley could do to Nwosu’s game when factoring in what he was able to do with Leonard Floyd with the Rams last season.

Floyd is coming off his most productive year as a pro, totaling career-highs in sacks (12.5), tackles (55) and quarterback hits (19), as well as a career-best 52 total pressures.

Staley also helped turn Broncos 2019 fifth-round pick Justin Hollins into a starter for the Rams.

Under the guidance of Staley and outside linebackers coach Jay Rodgers, Nwosu could be in for a big season, one that may earn him a contract extension next offseason.

“I think Chenna can be a high-level player in this league. We love how he plays,” general manager Tom Telesco said.