2021 NFL draft: Washington’s Joe Tryon is perfect EDGE to replace Melvin Ingram

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The Chargers have gotten strong play out of edge defender Melvin Ingram since he entered the league in 2012. However, Ingram is a pending free agent and his future with the team is currently up in the air.

If Los Angeles lets Ingram walk, they will be in search of a player who’s capable of playing the outside linebacker role in head coach Brandon Staley’s system this offseason.

Luckily, this year’s draft offers a prospect who offers a skillset that’s ideal for that role, with that being former Washington EDGE Joe Tryon.

Tryon was ranked as a three-star prospect out of Hazen High School in Renton, WA.

After starting two games in 2018, Tryon broke out in a big way the following season — totaling 41 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 13 games to earn second-team All-Pac-12 honors. Following that year, he opted out of the 2020 season to prepare for the draft.

In 25 career games, Tryon compiled 61 tackles with 14.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks and two passes defended.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and 262 pounds, Tryon is blessed with a lean and defined frame.

In the Huskies’ multiple defense, Tryon played as both a 4-3 defensive end and 3-4 outside linebacker. Moved all over the formation, he was primarily tasked with rushing the passer and setting the edge.

Last season, the Chargers struggled to get after the quarterback, finishing 25th in sacks. The team would benefit from Tryon, who has a knack for generating pressure from a multitude of ways.

Tryon shows a quick first step to burst off the line of scrimmage, not wasting any steps and attacking with an aggressive mindset.

A speed-to-power menace, Tryon often fires out of his stance and shows length, hand strength and lower body power to drive linemen back into the pocket to disrupt the play.

Given his physical traits, Tryon can eat up a lot of grass in a hurry, showing the ability to beat linemen to the spot and close fast to the quarterback.

Tryon can counter well off his rush with the quick instincts to swim and the body control to get skinny between blockers.

Tryon plays with a high motor and regularly chases after plays well downfield and outside his expected area.

In the run game, Tryon can set the edge and displays sufficient play strength at the point of attack to negate his opponents’ strength with force.

Tryon occasionally dropped into underneath zones, where he shows smooth hips and lateral agility to cover running backs out of the backfield.

While there’s a lot of things Tryon does well, he does come with some weaknesses.

While he’s physically gifted, Tryon doesn’t use his hands exceptionally well right now and needs to develop more counters, especially against double teams. He can also be late to react to the run and gets sucked in on play-action often.

Also, Tryon has a limited amount of starting reps, especially after deciding to opt out of the 2020 season.

Head coach Brandon Staley has worked with the likes of Von Miller, Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd. While he’s not on that same level of talent as them at the moment, Tryon fits that mold of an athletic and lengthy outside linebacker that Staley has done wonders with.

Overall, Tryon has an ideal frame, and his length and athleticism contribute to a set of tools that profile as an impact edge rusher at the next level, especially if his technique can match his gifted toolset. His size, toughness, and range suggest he could be a solid special teams contributor, too.

With the traits and athletic profile that Tryon possesses, he’s most likely high on a lot of team’s draft boards. The first-round is a bit rich, but Tryon should be strongly considered if he’s on the board when the Chargers are on the clock with pick No. 47.

If everything pans out, Tryon is a high ceiling prospect who has the ability to develop into a game-changing pass rusher at the next level.