Tag: Derwin James

Derwin James reveals Chargers’ biggest needs this offseason

Derwin James identified the trenches and wide receiver as the Chargers’ biggest positions of need heading into the offseason.

It’s no secret that the Chargers are a few moves away from becoming legitimate contenders in 2025. With over $65 million in cap space, the front office has the resources to improve this team this offseason.

Most of its issues come on the offensive side of the ball, as the Chargers had the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL in 2024. On Micah Parsons’ podcast, safety Derwin James reflected on which positions the team should go after this offseason:

“Like you say, you know, it starts in the trenches. We gotta secure the trenches and then get the guys on the outside that are gonna catch the ball and go do it and make plays.”

James is not wrong, as the interior offensive line and wide receiver are arguably the two most significant needs for this team. The defensive line remains a mystery as well, given the fact that Poona Ford is a free agent.

Ford was the unit’s best player in 2024, so it would be wise for the front office to do whatever they can to re-sign him. Center and right guard were liabilities along the offensive line this past season, so that’s where the front office will look to address.

The other three spots along the offensive line are locked down with young studs. Whether it be through the draft or free agency, there’s no doubt that the team will be going hard after the wide receiver position. A trade could even be a possibility, such as Cooper Kupp.

There’s nothing wrong with what James said, as he spoke nothing but facts. The veteran defensive back is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. As a result, he earned his fourth trip to the Pro Bowl.

Chargers’ top 10 defensive performers in 2024, per PFF

Here’s a look at the top 10 defensive performers based on Pro Football Focus’ overall grades.

The Los Angeles Chargers’ season ended when they fell flat to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round of the AFC playoffs.

With the offseason on the horizon, Pro Football Focus’ year-end defensive player rankings will become all the more important as Los Angeles looks to revamp for 2025.

Here are the Chargers’ top-10 defensive performers by PFF’s metrics:

1. EDGE Khalil Mack

PFF grade: 90.2

2. S Tony Jefferson

PFF grade: 89.0

3. DL Poona Ford

PFF grade: 85.3

4. S Derwin James Jr.

PFF grade: 80.8

5. DL Teair Tart

PFF grade: 78.1

6. S Elijah Molden

PFF grade: 75.6

7. CB Tarheeb Still

PFF grade: 75.2

8. LB Daiyan Henley

PFF grade: 67.0

9. CB Kristian Fulton

PFF grade: 68.9

10. EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu

PFF grade: 66.5

Final stat leaders for the Chargers in 2024

Ladd McConkey led all receivers in every category except for touchdowns.

All attention has shifted to the offseason, but while it’s still fresh, we can still reflect on this past season for the Chargers.

Here are the final stat leaders from the 2024 regular season.

Offense

Touchdown Passes – QB Justin Herbert (23)

Passing Yards – QB Justin Herbert (3,870)

Rushing Yards – RB J.K. Dobbins (905)

Rushing Touchdowns – RB J.K. Dobbins (9)

Receptions – WR Ladd McConkey (82)

Receiving Touchdowns – WR Quentin Johnston (8)

Receiving Yards – WR Ladd McConkey (1,149)

Yards Per Catch — WR Simi Fehoko (17.0)

Defense

Sacks – EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu (8.5)

Tackles – LB Daiyan Henley (147)

Interceptions – CB Tarheeb Still (4)

Passes Defensed – CB Tarheeb Still (10)

Forced Fumbles – EDGE Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa (2)

Quarterback Pressures — EDGE Khalil Mack (52)

Punt Return Yards – WR Derius Davis (235)

Kick Return Yards – WR Derius Davis (524)

Chargers highlight: Alohi Gilman rips it out for first turnover of playoffs

Alohi Gilman’s return from injured reserve has paid major dividends for the Chargers in the Wild Card round.

Alohi Gilman’s return from injured reserve has paid major dividends for the Chargers in the Wild Card round.

After a promising first drive by the Chargers offense stalled out in the red zone and resulted in a Cameron Dicker 35-yard field goal, the Bolts defense took the field for their first matchup against the Texans offense.

Quarterback CJ Stroud dropped back to pass and found receiver John Metchie over the middle as he moved towards the first down marker. Gilman and Derwin James met him after a gain of 8.

Gilman ripped at the ball as Metchie went to the ground, forcing it out and into the hands of James just as Metchie’s knee hit the turf. James had the awareness to scoop the ball up and return it 5 yards.

After review, the ball was out of Metchie’s hands just before his knee went down, giving the Chargers a turnover on the first defensive play of the game. Los Angeles’ offense moved the ball another 12 yards down the field before Dicker kicked another field goal to make the score 6-0 in the first quarter.

https://x.com/chargers/status/1878197548374020213

Statistical Breakdown: How the Chargers and Texans stack up before wild-card playoff game

The Texans have struggled at keeping their quarterback clean, but they’ve also generated a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks

The Chargers and Texans are set to square off this Saturday, with both teams looking to advance to the divisional round.

Here’s how Los Angeles and Houston stack up statistically on both sides of the ball ahead of the wild-card matchup:

Offense

Category Chargers Texans
Points per game 23.6 ppg (11th) 21.9 ppg (19th)
Passing offense 213.5 ypg (19th) 207.4 ypg (21st)
Rushing offense 110.7 ypg (17th) 112.3 ypg (15th)
Total offense 324.2 ypg (20th) 319.7 ypg (22nd)
3rd down conversions 40.27% (11th) 37.66% (20th)
Red zone scoring 56.00% (18th) 49.12% (26th)
Sacks allowed 44 (19th) 54 (29th)
Turnovers 9 (2nd) 19 (12th)

Defense

Category Chargers Texans
Points allowed 17.7 ppg (1st) 21.9 ppg (14th)
Passing defense 206.9 ypg (7th) 201.0 ypg (6th)
Rushing defense 117.5 ypg (14th) 114.0 ypg (11th)
Total defense 324.4 ypg (11th) 315.0 ypg (6th)
3rd down conversions 35.71% (5th) 35.91% (7th)
Red zone defense 45.00% (1st) 63.64% (27th)
Sacks 46 (6th) 49 (4th)
Takeaways 21 (13th) 29 (5th)

 

Will the Chargers rest their starters vs. Raiders in Week 18?

The Chargers have fallen victim to losing a key starter in a Week 18 game when they already secured a spot in the playoffs.

The Chargers are locked in with a playoff berth, with one game remaining in the regular season against the Raiders this Sunday.

With a playoff spot already secured, the question now becomes whether or not Los Angeles will play its starters with the hope of no one getting hurt.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh was asked about resting starters on the “Let’s Go Podcast” this past week, potentially hinting that he will play them.

“We’re going to be playing to win at all times,” Harbaugh responded. “That never changes. I like what Derwin James said, he’s our captain… He said, 11 wins sounds better than 10. So we’re, we’re attacking it.”

“We’re attacking it with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. The thing that doesn’t resonate right now is, you know, play the backups. What are we going to do? Dress 25 guys for the game?” he added.

Harbaugh and the rest of the team will have their eyes on the TV on Saturday, watching to see how the game between the Steelers and Bengals goes.

If Pittsburgh loses to Cincinnati, L.A. must beat Las Vegas to secure the fifth seed. However, if the Steelers win, the Chargers will be locked into the sixth seed.

The Chargers have fallen victim to losing a key starter in a Week 18 game when they already had a spot in the playoffs. Two years ago, Mike Williams suffered a low back injury that forced him to miss the postseason.

However, the consequences of resting the starters could be not getting live-game reps and potentially causing them to feel rusty from the extra rest time.

“I think going into the playoffs, it’s important to not get rusty,” edge defender Joey Bosa said. “Obviously I feel like I’m still really working back for my injury and have a lot to continue to improve.”

We will have to wait to see how Harbaugh approaches this game and what he does with the starters.

Where the Chargers rank statistically ahead of Week 18

The Chargers have found a spark offensively while continuing to boast one of the league’s top defenses.

The Chargers head into the regular season finale on Sunday with a 10-6 record and a spot in the playoffs locked up.

Los Angeles has found its spark on the offensive side of the ball in recent weeks while continuing to boast one of the league’s best defenses.

With Week 18 coming up, how do the Bolts compare to the rest of the NFL? Here is where Los Angeles ranks:

Offense

Category Stat Rank
Points per game 23.0 ppg 12th
Passing offense 205.8 ypg 21st
Rushing offense 109.1 ypg 18th
Total offense 314.9 ypg 23rd
3rd down conversions 39.61% 14th
Red zone scoring 56.82% 16th
Sacks allowed 43 19th
Turnovers 9 2nd

Defense

Category Stat Rank
Points allowed 17.6 ppg 1st
Passing defense 205.8 ypg 8th
Rushing defense 122.4 ypg 16th
Total defense 328.1 ypg 12th
3rd down conversions 36.28% 9th
Red zone defense 44.74% 1st
Sacks 46 6th
Takeaways 20 13th

 

3 Chargers players named to AFC Pro Bowl roster

Three Chargers players were recognized for their efforts this season.

Three Chargers players have made the NFL’s 2025 Pro Bowl roster, the league announced Thursday.

Edge defender Khalil Mack, safety Derwin James and offensive tackle Rashawn Slater will start for the AFC team, which will be coached by Peyton Manning.

Mack is nowhere near his career-high 17 sacks that he totaled in 2023, but he can still get after the quarterback, currently with 47 pressures and seven sacks. He’s also impactful as a run defender. His PFF grade is 88.1 in that department.

James continues to be an imposing presence on the backend of the defense. He is up to 90 tackles, nine tackles for loss and six pass breakups. But James has also shined as a pass rusher, as he has a career-high 5.5 sacks.

Slater has cemented himself as one of the top tackles in all of football. A wall in pass protection, he has a 90.4 pass block grade, which ranks third. Running backs have had success running to the left side, largely because of Slater, who owns a 82.8 run block grade.

Several Chargers players were listed as Pro Bowl alternates: Quarterback Justin Herbert, kicker Cameron Dicker, wide receiver Derius Davis, offensive tackle Joe Alt, edge defender Joey Bosa, fullback Scott Matlock, linebacker Nick Niemann, center Bradley Bozeman and wide receiver Ladd McConkey.

Chargers sign former first-round pick to practice squad

The Chargers added a safety to the practice squad.

The Chargers signed safety Terrell Edmunds to the practice squad on Thursday.

In correspondence, Los Angeles released Emany Johnson from the practice squad.

Edmunds, 27, was a first-round selection by the Steelers in the 2018 NFL Draft, where he started 75 games. He notched 410 total tackles, 26 passes defensed, five interceptions, and five sacks during the five years in Pittsburgh.

Edmunds then signed with the Eagles in 2023 before being traded to the Titans during the season. This past year, he signed with the Jaguars and eventually joined his former team, the Steelers, on their practice squad.

Pittsburgh released Edmunds on Nov. 9.

Edmunds provides depth at a safety position that lost Elijah Molden and Marcus Maye, who were placed in injured reserve. Alohi Gilman could be activated off IR, but they still need bodies alongside him and Derwin James.

While he will start on the practice squad, Edmunds could be elevated to the active roster.

Defensive help coming? Chargers could open 21-day practice window for Alohi Gilman

The Chargers haven’t had Alohi Gilman for a month.

The Chargers could be getting some help on the backend of the defense as they close out the regular season and get into the playoffs.

On Monday, Jim Harbaugh said the team could open up safety Alohi Gilman’s 21-day practice window this week.

Gilman has been on injured reserve since Week 12 with a hamstring injury.

With Marcus Maye on IR and Elijah Molden out for the remainder of the season with a broken fibula, Los Angeles would benefit from Gilman’s return.

In 10 games, Gilman amassed four passes defended and an interception.