Daiyan Henley likely won't start at linebacker for the Chargers in 2023.
Eric Kendricks and Kenneth Murray, Jr., have those spots under control right now.
But Henley, the Bolts third-round pick at No. 85 on Friday night, could change that down the road.
Linebacker was always a sneaky need for the Chargers in this draft and the choice to add a player at that position on Day 2 of the draft highlights that.
Murray is entering the final season of his rookie deal and Kendricks, who is 31, signed to a two-year contract as a free agent last month.
The addition of Henley gives the Chargers someone who can provide depth behind those two players while contributing on special teams as a rookie.
Henley has a unique backstory as he originally went to Nevada as a wide receiver before switching to safety and then linebacker.
A superb athlete, Henley transferred to Washington State and blossomed into one of the nation's best players this past year when he was a finalist for the Butkus Award while finishing second in the Pac-12 in total tackles.
He also still played special teams to showcase his do-it-all approach on the field.
Entering the draft, Henley was the No. 1 linebacker prospect according to Pro Football Focus and Bleacher Report.
And while he surely still has room to grow, he has all the necessary tools to make a splash with the Bolts.
In a year or two, we could be talking about Henley being a special teams ace and a key starter in the middle of the Bolts defense.
Keep an eye on him.
