Donald Butler

Aside from Eric Weddle, Butler is the top IDP to own on the San Diego defense. Although groin injuries cost him seven games over the last two years, he's shown decent tackle production over that span and seems due for a breakout in 2014. He has 159 tackles (121 solo), 3.5 sacks and two interceptions in his last 25 games, which projects to roughly 102 tackles, two sacks and one interception per 16-game season. He doesn't appear to be a major threat to post big tackle numbers, but the same is even more true of fellow starting inside linebacker Manti Te'o, so Butler could hit triple digits by default this year.

He might head into this year with less hype than rookie teammate Manti Te'o, but Butler is the top linebacker on the San Diego roster. Despite missing four games with a groin injury, Butler finished the last year with 77 tackles (50 solo) while playing 716 snaps on defense and 49 on special teams. He should approach 1,000 snaps on defense in 2013, so if he stays healthy he'll be a near lock to breeze past the 100-tackle mark. The 2012 season saw him return an interception for a touchdown for the second year in a row, and he further displayed big-play ability by posting three sacks, giving him five in two years.

Butler wasn’t especially productive in 2011, which was basically his rookie year after a torn Achilles’ tendon ended his 2010 season before it started. With a year of experience and a full offseason to recover further, Butler should be expected to improve in 2012. He finished 2011 with 96 tackles (78 solo), two sacks and an interception and, while those numbers are far from bad, he is capable of better. Jonas Mouton is a threat to steal snaps after getting picked in the second round of the 2011 draft, but Mouton is probably a threat to Takeo Spikes more than Butler.

Butler missed his entire rookie season after he injured his Achiles during training camp last year, so the Chargers are anxious to see what he can do. At this point he is basically projected to be part of the rotation at inside linebacker along with rookie Jonas Mouton.

Butler is immediately expected to challenge for playing time at the inside linebacker spot as a rookie. It appears he will be battling with veterans Brandon Siler and Kevin Burnett during camp.