The Los Angeles Chargers placed the franchise tag on linebacker Melvin Ingram on Monday, according to multiple reports. Ingram spent the first five seasons of his career with the Chargers.
The Chargers have officially placed the franchise tag on Melvin Ingram.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 28, 2017
Los Angeles Chargers Place Franchise Tag on Melvin Ingram
Ingram started all 16 games last season, amassing a combined 60 tackles, eight sacks, four forced fumbles, five passes defensed, and six stuffs.[1] He also had 72 total pressures and was ranked as the 7th best edge rusher by Pro Football Focus, ahead of Jadeveon Clowney, Michael Bennett, and Chandler Jones with a grade of 88.1 – right behind Joey Bosa.
Though his career has gotten off to a slow start after being selected in the first round, only six sacks in his first three seasons, his previous two have seen him skyrocket averaging nine sacks, 62.5 tackles, three forced fumbles, five passes defensed, and six stuffs. Also, his increased production includes him being the third best edge defender against the pass.
This past season he teamed with another great edge rusher, Joey Bosa, to form one of the best one-two combos in the league that helped a Chargers defense allow only 97.9 rush yards per game and had 83 passes defensed (fifth).
He’ll be 28 when the 2017 season kicks off – a time when most edge rushers are in the peak of their prime.
[1] Stuffs occur when an offensive player is pulled down in their backfield. Why does it matter? It’s basically a sack except the defensive player is “sacking” anyone else except the quarterback.
