Welcome to Part 9 of our 2024 positional recaps, a series that will run through the next few weeks and highlight 11 Chargers position groups. We'll focus on key stats, memorable moments and look to what lies ahead in 2025.
Although it was assumed Daiyan Henley would take one of the starting linebacker roles coming into the season, the second-year linebacker said he was focused on earning a starting spot with his work over the offseason.
He did just that and more, quickly ascending from limited action his rookie year to garnering national attention for his high-level play.
Henley led the Chargers with 147 total tackles and played the most defensive snaps on the team with 996.
He was also the only NFL player in 2024 to record at least 120 tackles and more than seven passes defensed during the regular season, all of which came in his first full year as a starter.
"It meant a lot," Henley said after the season. "I was kind of anticipating this season knowing I wanted more for myself. I wanted to be more a part of this team as far as being on the field and participate and make a statement.
"To be able to do that, I just appreciate my coaches, other players and everyone who believed in me," Henley added. "Hopefully I made them proud."
Starting alongside Henley most of the season was veteran Denzel Perryman, who returned to the Chargers after being drafted by the franchise in 2015.
Perryman held it down in the middle of the Chargers defense and was a strong veteran presence for linebackers coach NaVorro Bowman's group.
While he did end up missing most of the final stretch of the Bolts season, he was held in high regard as a leader of a linebacker group that had limited starting experience.
The injuries to Perryman got others involved like Troy Dye, who had strong showings in his first year in the powder blues.
Dye filled in as a starter for five games and ended up playing the third-most snaps among the position. He finished fifth on the team with 57 total tackles and hit a career-high mark of 1.5 sacks as well as leading the team in special teams snaps with 368.
Among those who filled in was third-round pick Junior Colson, who endured an up-and-down rookie season due to injuries.
An appendectomy in training camp plus a midseason stint on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury limited his reps, but the linebacker out of Michigan could benefit from a full offseason.
And rounding out the group was Nick Niemann, who began the season on Injured Reserve but played 13 games for the Bolts. While he did play a handful of defensive snaps, he continued his special teams prowess and finished with the fourth-most snaps in that phase.
Notable Number
Henley flashed in all areas, but his ability in coverage stood out the most this season.
The second-year linebacker ranked third among linebackers in target EPA (-10.9), according to Next Gen Stats.
He also finished the season with six pass breakups, the most by any linebacker during the regular season, according to PFF.
Memorable Moment
Henley had been close to an interception all season but had to wait until the final week of the regular season to finally secure one.
With time winding down in the second quarter and the Chargers down 10-9 to the Raiders, the linebacker perfectly timed his jump on a pass attempt by Aiden O'Connell and hauled in the first pick of his career.
It was a turning point moment in the game as the Bolts took advantage of the interception in Las Vegas territory and score a touchdown to take the lead before the half.
They never looked back from there, as they went on to outscore the Raiders 25 to 10 after Henley's interception.
"It won us the game. It changed the game," Derwin James said. "We were down before he made that pick, and you intercept it under a minute and we're already in touchdown range, that changed the game. I feel like that really won us the game, when Daiyan got that pick."
Henley added: "It's been a long season without one."
Regular-Season Stats
Daiyan Henley
Recorded 147 total tackles (84 solo), a sack, seven tackles for loss, eight passes defended, one interception and three QB hits; started in all 17 games and played 996 defensive snaps (91.1 percent)
Denzel Perryman
Recorded 55 total tackles (39 solo), a sack, two tackles for loss and three QB hits; played in 11 games (11 starts) and played 340 defensive snaps (31.1 percent)
Troy Dye
Recorded 57 total tackles (35 solo), 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and two QB hits; played in all 17 games (five starts) and played 318 defensive snaps (29.1 percent)
Junior Colson
Recorded 29 total tackles (15 solo), 1.5 sacks, one pass defended and one QB hit; played in 11 games (one start) and played 218 defensive snaps (19.95 percent)
Nick Niemann
Recorded 21 total tackles (11 solo) and one pass defended; played in 13 games and played 44 defensive snaps (4.03 percent)
1 Question for 2025
Who plays next to Henley?
Henley's Pro Bowl-caliber season puts him at the top of the Chargers depth chart heading into 2025, but it remains to be seen how the rest of the position shakes out.
Perryman, who was a starter when he was healthy, is slated to be a free agent, as is Dye who filled in at times and was a strong option when needed.
Add in Niemann and Quarterman and most of the linebackers who played the bulk of the defensive snaps last season aren't under contract.
That leaves only Henley, Colson and Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste (futures deal) with a contract heading into 2025.
Of course, Colson could step in and fill a bigger role in Year 2, but more depth behind them will likely be needed in the offseason for Bowman's group.
