Over the past couple of weeks, I have been breaking down the depth chart at each position for the Chargers.
Today, we examine and project the safety room for Los Angeles heading into the 2020 season.
FS: Rayshawn Jenkins
The battle for the free safety job last season was between Jenkins and 2019 second-round pick Nasir Adderley. Adderley showed some immense flashes of earning the starting role. However, injuries kept him off the field, which left Jenkins as the starter.
In his first season as a full-time starter after making the transition from strong safety to the single-high role, Jenkins had an up-and-down season. Even though he led the team in interceptions (3), blown coverages and missed tackles were scattered throughout Jenkins’ campaign.
According to Pro Football Focus, among safeties that played at least 80% of their team’s snaps in 2019, Jenkins was 30th among 37 safeties with a 63.1 overall grade.
Despite the inconsistent results, Jenkins was still highly praised by the coaching staff. Earlier this offseason, coach Anthony Lynn said that he believes Jenkins will breakout in 2020.
Since Jenkins earned the trust of the coaching staff, it may seem like an uphill climb for Adderley earn snaps, but a systematical change might make it easier than originally expected.
The Chargers are expected to show more two-deep looks and man coverage and less Cover 3. This will mean that both Adderley and Jenkins would be on the field. But Jenkins will get the majority of the snaps.
According to defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, Adderley, Jenkins, along with Desmond King are candidates for the dime linebacker role, the position formerly played by Adrian Phillips, which is the sixth defensive back in dime packages.
Backup(s): Nasir Adderley
SS: Derwin James
The Chargers are getting the dynamic defender back for a full state after his sophomore season was short lived to a foot injury that he sustained prior to the regular season.
James is not only being inked as a prime Comeback Player of the Year candidate in 2020, but projected as Defensive Player of the Year.
The former Florida State product will go back to being a difference-maker on the defensive side of the ball, where he will resume his duties as a coverage player, run defender and additional blitzer.
James should see the field for nearly every snap, which will make it extremely difficult for his backups to earn playing time.
Roderic Teamer, who started in James’ absence last season, should make the roster. He will primarily serve as a special teamer, but he could earn some playing time as the dime linebacker.
The Chargers’ sixth-round pick Alohi Gilman should also be among the final 55, but nearly all of his playing time will be on special teams, where he will have to prove his worth in order to draw consideration of being on the field as a dimebacker.
Backup(s): Roderic Teamer, Alohi Gilman