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Predicting what Brandon Staley’s defense will look like come the first week of the regular season.
Training camp is usually when teams begin finalizing their depth charts. This year, however, it seems as though the Chargers have largely set their starting lineups before players even report to camp.
Let’s run through the starters, continuing with the defense.
Sebastian Joseph-Day broke down his offseason preparation with an excellent cake analogy.
Sebastian Joseph-Day has been a rock-solid contributor for the Chargers since signing with the team last year. A space eater in the middle of Los Angeles’ defense, Joseph-Day might not be the most widely recognized member of the roster, but his veteran presence plays a key role in keeping opposing offenses at bay.
Joseph-Day spoke to the media on Tuesday after practice, expounding on his preparation for the 2023 season. He gave reporters the broad strokes about his approach to preparation, specifically responding to a question about whether he “itches” for reps at practice.
Though he was unsure, he broke down his thought process in what could prove to be the best quote of the Chargers’ offseason.
“I mean, yes and no. The offseason is kind of like baking a cake,” the 300-pound lineman explained, mouth surely watered. “I know it’s a weird analogy, but you can’t skip one step. Each phase, at least with me and my training, you need to do this — you have to get the eggs, you have to [break] the yolk.
“It’s step-by-step. You have to put the baking soda in, you can’t take the cake out too soon. It’s step-by-step. The way I approach it, yeah, it would obviously but fun, but I’m year six in now. I really have a good schedule. I feel like a lot of vet guys have a good feel of how they ramp themselves up to make sure they’re peaking come August and July.”
Asked if he bakes many cakes after the cogent analogy landed with the press, Joseph-Day replied in the negative.
“No, but you know what? It just popped in my mind. After practice, I’m a little hungry, if you know what I’m saying.”
It is unclear if Joseph-Day secured himself some delectable baked goods after practice, but his explanation is sure to stick with fans like the glaze on a gateau.
Sebastian Joseph-Day is very confident heading into the 2023 season.
The Chargers’ collapse in January’s playoffs was an unmitigated disaster. Still, veteran defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day is doing everything he can to make the most of the dire situation ahead of the 2023 season.
Asked about his ability to perceive the brutal playoff loss as an opportunity for growth, Joseph-Day clarified that he is using last year’s results to motivate his game in 2023.
In your approach, re-evaluating yourself as a player. You re-evaluate what you need to work on and improve on, the way you train, how hard to go. Honestly, I just think, no matter what, it’s always going to be that thing behind your back that pushes you to never let whatever your part is in this team sport, whatever your part is, to make sure that you never allow yourself to let your teammates down or the man next to you down. At the end of the day, you never want to feel that feeling again.
The promise of what will come next season may not placate Chargers fans who are still reeling from the disappointing end to Los Angeles’ 2022 season, but Joseph-Day seemed intent on doing his part to see the team reach its full potential in 2023.
The Bolts will enter the upcoming season with a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore, who the team is hopeful will unlock Justin Herbert’s strengths. In addition, Herbert will have a new weapon in first-round pick Quentin Johnston. The defensive side of the ball, which dealt with injuries last year, will include some fresh new faces, highlighted by Eric Kendricks.
Time will tell if his efforts are enough to get over the hump, but judging from his comments, Joseph-Day is on a trajectory to make a big difference for the Chargers when the regular season starts in September.
Here is how the Chargers can attack the defensive side of the ball in the draft.
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.
The Broncos’ final pick in the NFL draft is set to be No. 195 overall. Here’s a look at the last 10 players picked at that spot.
Before making any potential trades, the Denver Broncos have five picks to use in the 2023 NFL draft next weekend.
The team’s latest pick in the draft (again, before any potential trades) is set to be 195th overall in the sixth round. If the Broncos keep that pick, it will mark the second time in franchise history that the club has picked a player at No. 195. (They picked linebacker Mike Denimarck in 1974.)
With the draft now less than a week away, we’re taking a quick look back at the last 10 players picked at No. 195 overall in previous NFL drafts. One of the most notable players on the list is defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day, a Super Bowl champion.
Our Chargers’ NFL draft preview series continues with the defensive tackle position.
After taking a steady approach in free agency, signing just one external player in linebacker Eric Kendricks and re-signing a handful of their own, the Chargers now have their sights set on the draft where they will look to bolster their roster with their selections and make a deeper run in 2023.
Before, we’re going position by position to break down where Los Angeles stands entering the draft.
Next up is the defensive line.
Catch the previous profiles here:
Devin McCourty made it known he’s a Patriot for life.
It appears that Devin McCourty will not play for any other team besides the New England Patriots. The veteran safety recently shut down a recruiting pitch from Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day.
Joseph-Day tweeted at McCourty in an effort to get him to Los Angeles.
McCourty, who officially announced his retirement on Friday, has spent the entirety of his career with the Patriots, beginning when he was drafted in 2010. Since then, he has compiled a career that has included three Super Bowls and three Second-Team All-Pro selections. McCourty has also made the Pro Bowl twice.
It appears that all of his accomplishments will remain in a Patriots uniform, as he tweeted the best response for Joseph-Day.
😂😂😂😂I only look good in a pats uniform bro https://t.co/2ZevsS87Jv
— Devin McCourty (@devinmccourty) March 10, 2023
It would have been odd to see McCourty in anything other than a Patriots uniform. We’ll never have to with the legendary safety’s career officially coming to a close.
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As it stands, the Chargers have seven total draft picks.
In the 2023 NFL draft, the Chargers will not have a compensatory pick, according to Over The Cap.
The league awards 32 compensatory draft picks each year based on free-agent losses and gains by teams. If a team loses more free agents than it signs, they can receive draft compensation.
While they are not receiving, Los Angeles is giving.
Per Over The Cap’s projections, the Patriots could receive a fourth-round pick for J.C. Jackson. The Rams could get a sixth-round selection for Sebastian Joseph-Day.
The Chargers have seven total draft picks as it stands.
Round 1: No. 21
Round 2: No. 54
Round 3: No. 85
Round 4:
Round 5:
Round 6:
Round 7:
The rest of the picks will not be officially slotted until the league announces the 2023 compensatory picks ahead of the draft.
The Chargers should have Morgan Fox high on their priority list.
The Chargers made a plethora of splash moves last offseason, but arguably their most valuable free-agent acquisition was the signing of Morgan Fox.
Fox was inked to a veteran minimum contract in May to supply a pass-rush presence from the interior part of the defensive line.
And as soon as Joey Bosa had a groin injury in Week 3, the defense needed pass rushers to step up, and Fox was the one to make significant contributions in that department.
Fox set a career-high in sacks in the victory over the Rams, with 6.5. His previous best was 5.5, which he set with the Rams when Brandon Staley was their defensive coordinator in 2020.
“When I think of Morgan [Fox], I think of a glue guy, I think of tough and rugged, a playmaker, versatile, do whatever it takes to help the team win,” Staley said. “He just set his career high for sacks.
He has been such an incredible addition to our locker room. You guys are all seeing what I saw back in 2020, except now he’s just better. He’s just an even better player. He’s been a big factor in our ability to play defense at a high level.”
Fox is second on the team with 39 pressures, trailing only Khalil Mack. He ranks fifth among qualified interior defensive linemen in Pro Football Focus’ pass rush productivity.
Additionally, while lauded for his pass-rush prowess, Fox’s play against the run continuously improved after being put into a starting role. He has 24 run stops on the season.
The Chargers signed Fox to a one-year deal worth nearly south of $2 million. But his performances from this season will garner something heftier than that this upcoming offseason.
Given that Los Angeles’ defensive line room is predominantly filled with run stoppers, Fox should be a priority due to his ability to get after the quarterback. Plus, at just 28 years old, Fox is still in his prime.
The team’s success from this season and his long-time connection with Staley could ensure Fox stays in L.A.
The Chargers began preparing for their Week 16 matchup with the Colts.
The Chargers began preparing for their Week 16 matchup with the Colts on Thursday.
Back on the practice field was safety Derwin James, who was listed as limited. James has missed the last two games with a quadriceps injury.
James was named to the 2023 Pro Bowl team on Wednesday.
Defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day (knee/back) and cornerback Bryce Callahan (groin) were also limited participants.
CB Kemon Hall was the only non-participant.
Edge defender Joey Bosa has still not practiced and has not been designated for return from injured reserve.
