3 San Diego Chargers Poised for Breakout Years

Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

San Diego is a city filled with talent. Some are still waiting to show it.

The Chargers know who their best players are—Philip Rivers, Eric Weddle, Antonio Gates, Takeo Spikes and Shaun Phillips. Which young star is close to joining that list?

Three weeks until the start of the regular season. Three weeks till all the talk of the Denver Broncos being favorites in the AFC West is put to rest. The Chargers have gotten better, stronger and faster. Do not sleep on them.

During the 2012 NFL season, make sure to keep on eye on these players.

Shareece Wright (CB)

Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE

San Diego has four cornerbacks who will surely be making the team: Quentin Jammer, Antoine Cason, Marcus Gilchrist and Shareece Wright.

Injuries have been opening up opportunities for the former USC Trojan Shareece Wright. Cason and Gilchrist have missed multiple practices in camp, giving Wright reps with the first team.

Cornerback is one position that the Chargers need help at. Jammer, earlier in his career, was one of the most consistent players not only in San Diego, but the entire NFL as well. Age took over.

Antoine Cason became a starting cornerback for the Chargers the year Antonio Cromartie left for the Jets. Cason seemed to always be underappreciated during Cromartie's prime years, and when he got his chance to show his talent, he did. Unfortunately, Cason fell apart last season. He'll need to bounce back in a big way this year.

Marcus Gilchrist is still young, so everyone should stop worrying so much about him.

Then comes Shareece Wright. With the first-team reps he's been getting in camp this year, Wright has been on the money. He's making the most of every opportunity he's been getting.

The Chargers knew he had talent when they took him out of USC in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft. He needs to work on his hands and making interception, but one thing he does do very well is tackle.

Look for Shareece Wright, if the opportunites are given to him, to have a breakout season.

Corey Liuget (DE)

Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

Corey Liuget is another player who was selected in the 2011 draft. The Chargers took the defensive lineman in the first round. Many people thought San Diego jumped the gun on Liuget, but they thought he was "legit."

You can laugh if you'd like.

2011 was a subpar season for Corey Liuget. It was supposed to be a learning year for him, but after Luis Castillo broke his leg in the first game, Liuget was needed early. He didn't have a terrible year, although it should've have been much better.

It needs to be noted that all rookies from 2011 also did not have a normal offseason. Because of the lockout, the adjustment from college to the NFL was a shorter period, making it difficult to get used to everything.

One year has passed, and Liuget should be much improved this season.

Melvin Ingram (OLB)

Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

Nobody has been making more noise this preseason from San Diego than Melvin Ingram. The Chargers knew what his impact would be when they took him in the NFL draft this year.

Beast or monster? Maybe both.

No matter where Ingram lines up, he causes havoc. He's already making his case for Defensive Rookie of the Year, even if it is preseason.

In his first game, Ingram forced Aaron Rodgers to throw an interception. On Saturday night, he recorded a sack and was continuously pressuring the quarterback. Although it is only preseason and the lineman Ingram is going up against may not always be starters, he's showing great promise early.

The Chargers have been looking for a big time play maker on defense since Shawne Merriman departed. Melvin Ingram will be that guy.