Denzel Perryman
Summary
Drafted: Round 2, 48th overall, in the 2015 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. Pro Football Reference
College: University of Miami (FL). University of Miami Athletics
Key Statistics / Career: Through his career, Perryman has recorded 678 defensive tackles, 7.5 sacks, 5 interceptions, and been a consistent presence in the box. Los Angeles Chargers
Accolades / Character: He made the Pro Bowl in 2021. StatMuse Known for his physical, old-school tackling style, high effort, and leadership; he brings a thumper mindset and is respected for his toughness.
Strengths
Physical Tackler / Run-Stuffing — Perryman plays with a low pad level, delivering hard hits and effectively filling running lanes. Acme Packing Company
Block Shedding — He diagnoses blockers well, disengages, and shoots gaps to make plays. Acme Packing Company
Instincts & Play Diagnosis — Reads run vs pass quickly, recognizes his run fits, and triggers into his run paths. BuffaLowDown
Durability and Experience — He’s played more than 120 NFL games, started many, and remains a reliable veteran. profootballarchives.com
Leadership / Grit — Known for his “plays angry” style and is a high-effort leader on and off the field. Acme Packing Company
Short‑Area Range — Despite his build, he has good burst to close on running backs or tight ends near the line.
Weaknesses
Coverage Ability — Not elite in coverage; he struggles in man coverage and against speedy, elusive receivers. Cincy Jungle
Athletic Limitations — Not the most fluid athlete; he can be heavy-legged and slow to change direction. Acme Packing Company
Size / Length — At ~5'11", 240 lb, he may be at a disadvantage in certain matchups, especially in coverage or against taller tight ends. Pro Football Reference
Lack of Pass-Rush Production — While effective against the run, he rarely blitzes, and his sack numbers are modest. Los Angeles Chargers
Injury Risk — As a high-contact linebacker, durability is always a concern; heavy usage could lead to wear.
Fit & Outlook
Perryman projects best in a base defensive-front scheme that emphasizes physicality and gap control. He’s most effective in 4-3 or 3-4 fronts as a traditional inside linebacker tasked with run defense, tackling, and short‑area reads. Given his experience and toughness, he brings value as a veteran leader, especially for younger linebackers in the locker room. Moving forward, while his coverage limitations may cap his role in sub-packages, he can remain a starter in early-down and heavy-run situations. His long-term outlook is as a reliable thumper and clubhouse presence, assuming he can manage wear-and-tear.