With the 2023 NFL draft just days away, it’s time to reset where the Chargers’ depth chart stands and what their strategy at each position could be.
After assessing the offensive side of the ball, it’s time to break down the defense.
Edge defender
Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Chris Rumph II, Ty Shelby
While Bosa was out with his groin injury, the pass-rush production from the position group left a lot to be desired. Mack will be 32 when the 2023 season starts. Rumph has been a core special teamer, but he has not had much of an impact on defense. In a pass-happy league, you need players to disrupt quarterbacks consistently, which is why the Chargers would benefit from another talent in the positional room, especially as insurance for Bosa. In Round 1, Georgia’s Nolan Smith would be a home run if he fell into Los Angeles’ lap. Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness or Clemson’s Myles Murphy would make sense at No. 21 overall. In a trade-back scenario, LSU’s BJ Ojulari, Iowa State’s Will McDonald, Georgia Tech’s Keion White or Kansas State’s Felix Anudike-Uzomah would be solid options. On Day 2/3, Notre Dame’s Isaiah Foskey, Auburn’s Derick Hall, Lousiville’s YaYa Diaby, Tennessee’s Byron Young, Appalachian State’s Nick Hampton, Missouri’s Isaiah McGuire and Clemson’s K.J. Henry fit the Chargers’ mold of players at the position.
Defensive tackle
Austin Johnson, Sebastian Joseph-Day. Morgan Fox, Otito Ogbonnia, Christopher Hinton, David Moa
The Chargers stacked deck along the interior part of the defensive line last offseason with the signings of Joseph-Day, Johnson and Fox, and the draft selection of Ogbonnia. They proved to be solid additions. However, Johnson and Ogbonnia, who were stout against the run, had their seasons end at the midway point after suffering knee injuries. With both of them still working their way back to game shape, Los Angeles needs more depth in the position group. I would be shocked to see them address it in the first two days. But if they were to in, Pittsburgh’s Calijah Kancey, Northwestern’s Adetomiwa Adebawore, Michigan’s Mazi Smith and Florida’s Gervon Dexter are worth keeping an eye on. If they wait until Day 3, Mississippi State’s Cameron Young, Texas’ Moro Ojomo, Oklahoma’s Jalen Redmond, West Virginia’s Dante Stills, Western Kentucky’s Brodric Martin and Coastal Carolina’s Jerrod Clark fit the billing.
Linebacker
Eric Kendricks, Kenneth Murray, Nick Niemann, Amen Ogbongmebiga, Tyreek Maddox-Williams, Damon Lloyd
After Drue Tranquill signed with the Chiefs, the Chargers brought in Kendricks to serve as the starting outside linebacker alongside Murray. While it’s not a premium position in Brandon Staley’s defense, Los Angeles needs more depth at inside linebacker with the ability to serve as a core special teamer from the jump. The earliest I see this position being addressed is in Round 3, where Tulane’s Dorian Williams or Cincinnati’s Ivan Pace Jr. would make sense. Beyond that on Day 3, Indiana’s Cam Jones, Florida’s Ventrell Miller, Pittsburgh’s SirVocea Dennis, TCU’s Dee Winters, Auburn’s Owen Pappoe and Utah’s Mohamoud Diabete are some viable options.
Cornerback
J.C. Jackson, Michael Davis, Asante Samuel Jr., Ja’Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard, Kemon Hall, Michael Jacquet
Jackson’s status is unknown, as he is still recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon he suffered in Week 7. So with Jackson out of the action, Davis and Samuel will be the starters on the outside. Taylor is currently set to be the starting slot corner. Taylor flashed as a rookie, but he also experienced growing pains, particularly when he had to play near the boundary. Staley also said last year that as long as he is the head coach, the Chargers will always be looking to add players to the positional room. With that, it shouldn’t be surprising to see one taken as early as the first round, with Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. and Maryland’s Deonte Banks being intriguing candidates. On Day 2, Utah’s Clark Phillips, South Carolina’s Cam Smith, Kansas State’s Julius Brents, Miami’s Tyrique Stevenson and Northwestern’s Cameron Mitchell are options. On Day 3, Minnesota’s Terrell Smith, Maryland’s Jakorian Bennett, Syracuse’s Garrett Williams, TCU’s Tre Tomlinson and South Alabama’s Darrell Luter Jr. would make sense.
Safety
Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, JT Woods, Raheem Layne, Mark Webb
Nasir Adderley called it quits, announcing his retirement. Woods was taken in the third round of last year’s draft with the idea of playing him as the deep safety to allow James to move all over the field. But that never came to fruition as Woods struggled as a tackler in the limited defensive snaps he played and was a non-factor defensively. As it stands, Gilman, who played well in 2022, is slated to be the starter alongside James. Nonetheless, they still need more talent in that positional room. Alabama’s Brian Branch is a sneaky first-round candidate, as he would be able to slide in and be the starting nickel with the ability to play multiple positions. Aside from him, Texas A&M’s Antonio Johnson, Penn State’s Ji’Ayir Brown and Georgia’s Christopher Smith are good options on Day 3. Sacramento State’s Marte Mapu headlines candidates on Day 3. The others are California’s Daniel Scott, LSU’s Jay Ward, Pittsburgh’s Brandon Hill, Houston’s Gervarrius Owens and Notre Dame’s Brandon Joseph.
