Tag: Kristian Fulton

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

These 30 Chargers players will be free agents as 2025 offseason begins

The Los Angeles Chargers have a handful of notable players scheduled to become free agents in March.

The Chargers’ offseason has begun after losing to the Texans in the wild-card round on Saturday.

Los Angeles has 30 players scheduled to become free agents this March, with 27 set to become unrestricted free agents, which are players with four or more accrued seasons and an expired contract.

L.A. also has two restricted free agents (A player with three accrued seasons and an expired contract) and an exclusive rights free agent (Any player with fewer than three accrued seasons and an expired contract).

Here’s a list of the team’s 30 pending free agents:

  1. CB Eli Apple
  2. OL Bradley Bozeman
  3. WR DJ Chark
  4. RB J.K. Dobbins
  5. LB Troy Dye
  6. TE Hayden Hurst
  7. WR Simi Fehoko
  8. DL Poona Ford
  9. DL Morgan Fox
  10. CB Kristian Fulton
  11. QB Taylor Heinicke
  12. OL Brenden Jaimes
  13. S Tony Jefferson
  14. EDGE Khalil Mack
  15. S Marcus Maye
  16. S Elijah Molden
  17. OL Sam Mustipher
  18. LB Nick Niemann
  19. WR Joshua Palmer
  20. LB Denzel Perryman
  21. LB Shaq Quarterman
  22. WR Jalen Reagor
  23. EDGE Chris Rumph II
  24. CB Asante Samuel, Jr.
  25. P JK Scott
  26. QB Easton Stick
  27. DL Teair Tart
  28. OL Foster Sarell (RFA)
  29. TE Stone Smartt (RFA)
  30. TE Tucker Fisk (ERFA)

5 players the Chargers must re-sign in 2025

With the regular season over, we look ahead to some guys the Chargers should re-sign this upcoming offseason.

The regular season has come to an end for the Chargers, whom finished the season with an 11-6 record. Now, the attention shifts to the Texans this weekend in the wild card round.

It’s never too early to take a peak ahead to the offseason though, which could begin in as soon as a week. There are five players that the Chargers must re-sign this offseason:

LB Khalil Mack

Set to turn 34 years old in February, Mack turned in another elite season. While his age won’t demand too large of a contract, the Chargers should bring him back on a shorter-term deal with a higher annual number. He’s been elected to the Pro Bowl for the ninth time in his illustrious career, and he’s been a huge reason for the defense’s success in 2024.

RB J.K. Dobbins

Running back remains a need for this Chargers team, and they should most certainly bring Dobbins back next season. The former Raven far exceeded the $1.6 million deal that he signed last offseason. He’ll earn a nicer deal this upcoming offseason, although he still won’t be overly expensive given his injury history. Dobbins finished 2024 with a career-high 905 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

DL Poona Ford

The Chargers’ defensive line doesn’t have any big names on the interior, but they played well all season long. Ford was the best player up front with his ability to stop the run and clog up lanes for opposing offenses. This may be the biggest priority for the Chargers, as he has been one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL in 2024. Pro Football Focus rated him as the fifth-best defensive lineman this season with a 85.1 overall grade.

CB Kristian Fulton

Add Fulton to the list of bargains that the Chargers capitalized on this season. While Fulton certainly had his low moments, he still was well worth the signing. The veteran was helpful in the run game and started 14 games for the best defense in the NFL. While he was inconsistent in coverage at times, he still made several plays with seven passes defended and an interception.

P J.K. Scott

Why not bring back both J.K.’s? The priority on Scott may not be as high as the others on this list, but he was exceptional this season. He consistently helped the Chargers flip field position, as he finished the season with 28 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.

These 3 Chargers players could earn contract incentive bonuses for their play in 2024

These three players are close to earning some extra cash for their play in 2024.

Players on new contracts are given incentives, which allow them to earn more money for reaching specific statistical milestones.

Three Chargers players can cash in due to their performances from 2024 when they close out the regular season against the Raiders: Cornerback Kristian Fulton, running back J.K. Dobbins and edge defender Bud Dupree.

Fulton needs one more interception to earn an additional $125,000. He already has one on the season.

Dobbins needs at least 58 rushing yards to get an extra $150,000. He is at 842 yards, and probably would have already surpassed this mark had he not missed four games due to an injury.

Dupree needs one more sack to get an extra $250,000. The veteran is at six sacks on the season.

Los Angeles plays Las Vegas this Sunday at 1:25 pm PT.

Studs and duds from Chargers’ poor Week 15 effort vs. Buccaneers

The Chargers had arguably their worst performance of the season in Week 15, which leaves a lot to be desired in this week’s studs and duds.

It was a close game at halftime, but the Chargers got pounded in the second half. There weren’t many positives to take away from this game, particularly from the drubbing in those final 30 minutes.

There were still a few bright spots from the performance as well as the expected duds from such a blowout loss.

Stud: Poona Ford

In a game with very few positives, Ford was quite solid against the Buccaneers’ physical offensive line. Ford has been quite consistent this year on the interior portion of the defensive line. In fact, he was the Chargers’ highest-graded player (79.0) in Week 15 according to Pro Football Focus. Ford has been the sixth-best defensive lineman in all of football in 2024, which includes his ability to stuff the run in the middle of the defense.

Dud: Kristian Fulton

The fifth-year cornerback has shined at times this season, but he struggled mightily on Sunday. Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield targeted Fulton six times and was able to complete each of those for 88 yards and a touchdown to Mike Evans. Evans got the best of Fulton on multiple occasions, and the Chargers secondary as a whole was quite poor in Week 15.

Stud: Quentin Johnston

The Chargers finished the game with just 174 passing yards, but Johnston put in another superb performance. For the second consecutive week, the former TCU product finished with five catches and a touchdown. While his hands remain an issue, he’s at least made a decent amount of plays in his sophomore season. He’s shown a ton of improvement in 2024, and that continued to show in Sunday’s loss.

Dud: Gus Edwards

The Chargers severely miss starting running back J.K. Dobbins. Without him, the team’s ground attack is virtually nonexistent, and that was on full display again on Sunday. Edwards was ineffective once again with just 23 rushing yards on eight carries, a measly 2.9 yards per touch. Rookie Kimani Vidal saw more work than Edwards as the game went on due to his versatility in the passing game. Not only has Edwards been a non-factor on the ground this season, but he only has two total catches as well.

Dud: Run Defense

The Chargers run defense has been middle-of-the-pack in 2024, but they were downright awful on Sunday. Tampa Bay racked up 223 yards on the ground, as each of their top two running backs were effective. There were a few big plays as well, which included a 54-yard scamper from Bucky Irving and a 21-yard scramble from Mayfield. Scrap the tape from this one.

Chargers final injury report: Los Angeles rules out 4 starters ahead of Week 13

The Chargers will be without three defensive starters.

The Chargers had their final practice on Friday in preparation for the Week 13 game against the Falcons.

Los Angeles will have a backfield with its top running back, J.K. Dobbins, who is out with a knee injury he sustained in the Week 12 game against the Ravens.

L.A. will be without two starters from the secondary: Safety Alohi Gilman and cornerback Cam Hart.

Gilman is dealing with a hamstring injury. Hart is sidelined with an ankle injury.

Linebacker Denzel Perryman was also ruled out for the second consecutive week. Perryman is nursing a groin injury.

Linebacker Daiyan Henley is questionable with a calf injury. Henley was added to the injury report on Friday.

Chargers’ Week 11 Wednesday injury report: Kristian Fulton back on practice field

Kristian Fulton provided great news on his status.

The Chargers had their first practice in preparation for the Week 11 matchup against the Bengals.

Los Angeles had two non participants: edge defender Khalil Mack (groin) and tight end Hayden Hurst (non-injury related).

Cornerback Kristian Fulton was among seven limited participants.

Fulton said he feels 100% and is planning to play Sunday. He has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.

The other limited participants were edge defender Joey Bosa (hip), running back Gus Edwards (ankle), linebacker Daiyan Henley (illness), cornerback Deane Leonard (hamstring), offensive tackle Trey Pipkins (ankle) and tight end Stone Smartt (ankle).

Chargers final injury report: Kristian Fulton doubtful for Week 10 vs. Titans

The Chargers will be without one of their starting cornerbacks. Six players are questionable.

The Chargers had their final practice on Friday in preparation for the Week 10 game against the Titans.

Los Angeles will likely be without cornerback Kristian Fulton for the second consecutive week. Fulton is doubtful with a hamstring injury, which he sustained in the Week 8 win over the Saints.

Edge defender Khalil Mack (groin), guard Trey Pipkins (ankle), linebacker Denzel Perryman (toe), edge defender Joey Bosa (hip), tight end Stone Smartt (ankle) and running back Gus Edwards (ankle) are questionable.

The Chargers designated Edwards for return from injured reserve this past Wednesday. He hasn’t played since before the Chargers’ Week 5 bye.

Chargers’ first injury report ahead of Week 9 vs. Browns

Check in on the health of the Chargers heading into their Week 9 matchup with the Browns

The Chargers had their first practice on Wednesday in preparation for the Week 9 game against the Browns.

Los Angeles had four non-participants: Tight end Will Dissly (shoulder), cornerback Kristian Fulton (hamstring), linebacker Denzel Perryman (toe) and tight end Stone Smartt (ankle).

Edge defender Joey Bosa (hip), wide receiver D.J. Chark (groin), WR Derius Davis (hamstring), defensive lineman Morgan Fox (groin), TE Hayden Hurst (groin), WR Quentin Johnston (ankle), EDGE Khalil Mack (non-injury related), WR Ladd McConkey (hip), WR Brenden Rice (shoulder) and CB Ja’Sir Taylor (fibula) were limited.

The Chargers are hopeful Chark and Johnston can play this weekend. Chark has yet to make his debut with the team and Johnston has missed the last two games.

First injury report for Chargers ahead of matchup vs. Cardinals

The Chargers had five non-participants on the first injury report.

The Chargers had their first practice before Monday’s matchup with the Cardinals on Thursday.

Los Angeles had five non-participants: EDGE Joey Bosa (hip), CB Kristian Fulton (hamstring), TE Hayden Hurst (groin), WR Quentin Johnston (ankle) and CB Deane Leonard (hamstring).

WR D.J. Chark (groin), TE Will Dissly (shoulder), WR Simi Fehoko (shoulder/groin), OL Zion Johnson (ankle), WR Ladd McConkey (hip), OT Trey Pipkins (shoulder) and CB Ja’Sir Taylor (fibula) were limited.