Tag: Zion Johnson

Chargers stock watch: Who’s up, who’s down after Week 6 victory over Broncos

The Chargers suffered a few more injuries in Week 6, but several players stepped up in the meantime.

The Chargers head into Week 7 with a 3-2 record and entirely in the thick of the AFC playoff picture. It was a huge divisional victory against the Broncos as Jim Harbaugh’s squad was able to control the game in the trenches.

A few more injuries stacked up, but it was still a successful weekend for Los Angeles. Check out what Chargers players either improved or hurt their stock in Week.

Stock up: OL Zion Johnson

Johnson has really put things together in his third year in the NFL. That continued in Week 6 against the Broncos, as he was one of the Chargers’ best performers on the field. Johnson has been one of the best guards in the NFL this season, particularly in the run game. He’s one of two Chargers who played 100% of the team’s snaps in 2024. Johnson figures to be a key cog in the future of this evolving offensive line.

Stock down: CB Asante Samuel Jr.

After a superb 2023 campaign, Samuel hasn’t been nearly as good this season. Thankfully, other cornerbacks like Kristian Fulton have stepped up big, and the Chargers will need more of that. Samuel was placed on the IR after the team’s victory over the Broncos. The fourth-year corner has been dealing with a shoulder injury all year, so hopefully, this IR stint will freshen him for the second half of Los Angeles’ schedule.

Stock up: RB Kimani Vidal

Make plays and you’ll earn yourself playing time. That’s just what Vidal did against the Broncos. Heading into Week 6, the rookie tailback had yet to appear in an NFL game. Gus Edwards’ injury forced the Chargers to use Vidal, and he passed with flying colors. The rookie sixth-rounder finished with 51 yards from scrimmage, including a 38-yard receiving touchdown in the first quarter. Vidal may have just won himself the backup running back role behind J.K. Dobbins.

Stock down: RB Gus Edwards

Unfortunately, the veteran appears in this category once again. He’s seen his snaps dwindle as the season has passed, and now he’s been placed on the IR with an ankle injury. With guys like Vidal stepping up, it may be hard for Edwards to see the field if/when he returns from injury later this season.

Stock up: CB Elijah Molden

Molden was all over the field in Sunday’s victory. He’s just the latest example of Jesse Minter’s and the defense’s depth on this squad. With the injury to Samuel, he will be asked to step up in a big way over the next month. In Week 6, Molden finished with four tackles, a pass deflection, and a huge interception on the game’s first drive.

J.K. Dobbins runs wild in his Chargers debut

J.K. Dobbins provided the offensive spark.

J.K. Dobbins’ professional career hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows.

In 2021, Dobbins tore his ACL in the preseason. In 2022, he played just eight games due to knee injuries. Last season, Dobbins suffered a torn Achilles in Week 1.

Dobbins left the Ravens and joined the Chargers for a fresh start and to dispel the injury concerns. And in his debut in the powder blues, the 25-year-old running back looked like he returned to form.

Dobbins rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown on ten carries.

“Thank you to my O-line, they blocked really well for me,” Dobbins said, per the team’s official website. “Thank you to all my teammates for blocking for me and thank you to the defense for having our backs in the first half.”

Dobbins’ first big run went for 46 yards early in the third quarter. Bradley Bozeman and Rashawn Slater sealed their blocks. Zion Johnson got to the second level and took away the linebacker. Dobbins broke a tackle along the way before being tackled.

A couple of offensive possessions later, Dobbins found the end zone from 12 yards out for the Chargers’ first touchdown of the season.

“[Divine] Deablo hit my leg as I came through the whole and we always preach keep your legs up,” Dobbins said about his touchdown run. “That’s what I did, went back to my training and it was a touchdown.”

Later in the fourth quarter, Dobbins broke loose for a 61-yard gain. He found a hole between Slater and Johnson. It was all open grass before being brought down. A few plays later, the Chargers scored the game-sealing touchdown.

Despite the strong performance, Dobbins knows that it’s just one game and has to keep working to build off it.

“It felt good, it felt really good. But now, I’m going to get ready for next week,” Dobbins said. “I’m the type of guy that cool had a good game, go back to the drawing board and let’s get better.”

“Like I keep saying, I got to get in shape. I got to finish those runs like I used to, and I will. I’m going to make sure I fix it so I can do what I’m capable of doing,” he added.

5 Chargers players who need to improve in 2024

The Chargers have some players who struggled during the 2023 season.

The Chargers are looking to turn things around under Jim Harbaugh after finishing as one of the worst teams last season.

They have the talent to make it happen, but it’s a collaborative effort and some players need to improve from the previous season to bring success.

Here are five players who need to make some strides in 2024.

WR Quentin Johnston

The Chargers drafted Johnston in the first round last year, thinking they would get an instant playmaker on the offensive side of the ball. That did not materialize, however. Johnston struggled to create consistent separation and dropped passes. The wide receiver group is not strong after the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, so Los Angeles will be banking on an improved Johnston to get the most out of that positional group.

G Zion Johnson

Another former first-round pick, Johnson has yet to live up to his billing. This was even after he transitioned from right guard to left guard, his natural position. Despite being next to tackle Rashawn Slater, he struggled to create a surge in the run game and had his hiccups in pass protection. Johnson has the tools to be a dominant guard, but it’s a matter of whether it can come to fruition with the new coaching.

CB Kristian Fulton

The Chargers signed Fulton to a cheap deal this offseason. Currently, he is the front-runner to start on the outside opposite Asante Samuel Jr. However, they need Fulton to come on strong in that role after struggles on the field and with injuries during his time with the Titans. If he can stay healthy, Fulton has shown the ability to be a good coverage corner.

CB Ja’Sir Taylor

As of now, Taylor is the starting nickel corner. But that’s purely based on having the most experience at the position. His spot is not guaranteed, however, as Taylor will be competing with fifth-round pick Tarheeb Still for the job. After flashing as a rookie in 2022, Taylor’s play declined slightly, eventually leading to him losing his starting job midway through last season. In particular, Taylor must improve as a run defender.

DT Poona Ford

Ford is another player the Chargers signed at a discount with the intent of contributing right away. Ford took a step back in 2023 while with the Bills. He only played eight games and was a healthy scratch for 11 games due to his struggles. Once one of the best run-defending interior defenders during his time with the Seahawks, Ford must return to his old ways while continuing to flash as a pass rusher to help contribute to a thin defensive tackle room.

Projecting the Chargers’ offensive line depth chart in 2024

Taking a crack at projecting what the Los Angeles Chargers offensive line room will look like entering the 2024 season.

Over the next few weeks ahead of training camp, I will continue to break down the depth chart for each Chargers position.

Quarterback

Running back

Wide receiver

Tight end

Next, I project what the offensive line room will look like heading into the 2024 season.

LT: Rashawn Slater

After missing most of the 2022 season with a torn biceps, Slater returned and started all regular-season games in 2023. Upon returning to the field, he was prolific in the pass-blocking department, allowing just three sacks and 38 pressures on 726 pass-block snaps. Along with continuing to be a dominant force at protecting Justin Herbert’s blindside, it’s imperative that he returns to form as a run blocker, something he was sharp at in his first season when he was named Second-Team All-Pro, especially as the offense will take a run-heavy approach.

LG: Zion Johnson

Selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft, Johnson has yet to live up to his billing. This was even after he transitioned from right guard to left guard, the position he flourished in college. Johnson has the tools to be a dominant interior offensive lineman, so it’s a matter of whether it can materialize with the new coaching.

C: Bradley Bozeman

With Corey Linsley headed toward retirement due to medical issues, the Chargers needed a starting center, so they sought Bozeman to fill that void. With the Bolts emphasizing the running game, Bozeman’s strength is paving the way on the ground. His 71.6 run-blocking grade since 2021 is 11th among all Centers over that period.

RG: Trey Pipkins

After starting at right tackle the past two seasons, Pipkins is kicking inside to guard following the selection of Joe Alt with the No. 5 overall pick in April’s draft. Even though he is likely to be named the starter, Pipkins will have to compete with the starter at the position from this past season, Jamaree Salyer. Pipkins offers the size, length, athleticism and football IQ, but will the transition to the interior be smooth for him?

RT: Joe Alt

Alt was selected with the No. 5 overall pick. Despite never playing the right tackle position, he is a polished and physical lineman with great size/length, overall technique, and strength. Alt’s services will benefit Justin Herbert, who has been one of the most pressured quarterbacks since entering the league in 2020. He will also improve the ground game by being used in different blocking concepts.

Jamaree Salyer

Brenden Jaimes

Jordan McFadden

Alex Leatherwood

I have Leatherwood beating out Foster Sarell. Leatherwood played right tackle with the second team during mandatory minicamp and offers versatility as a tackle or guard.

Jim Harbaugh bullish on Chargers offensive line

The Chargers want to run the ball at a high level and it all starts up front in the trenches.

The Chargers have undergone quite the transformation, but when it comes to matters on the field, the offensive line is the unit that is amidst quite the redesign. 

Jim Harbaugh made it clear that he wanted the Bolts to be a physical football team. Once offensive coordinator Greg Roman came to Los Angeles, he also made it clear that the Chargers were going to be a team that could run the ball with gumption. 

Just a few weeks before training camp in July, the Chargers’ running game coordinator and tight ends coach echoed Harbaugh and Roman with his insight on the offensive line’s current status. 

“This is going to be an O-line-centric building,” Bischoff said. “When it comes to our strength program, it’s built around the O-line. Everybody else fall in line.

“Some people don’t value offensive linemen. We do,” Bischoff added. “That will be shown in how we approach everything — from how we stretch to how we lift, to how we run the ball, to how we protect. This is a place where O-linemen are going to want to come and play because it’s an O-line-centric space.”

The Chargers stuck to their guns and drafted the best offensive tackle available in Joe Alt in April. The Bolts also added veteran center Bradley Bozeman in free agency.

It’s clear the Bolts mean business and are looking for a more versatile offense this season. 

From left to right, Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Bozeman, Trey Pipkins III and Alt have made up the starting squad. 

“Not having a weak link is critical,” Harbaugh said. “I think we’re trending to really having a top-to-bottom outstanding offensive line.”

There have been a few position changes including Alt moving to right tackle and Pipkins switching to guard. 

“Whether it’s guard, whether it’s tackle, you can rely on him to be whatever we need him to be,” Justin Herbert said of his teammate Pipkins. “He’s done such a great job with that, especially in the weight room.

“His commitment, his leadership, the guy he is in the locker room, we’re glad to have guys like him on the team,” Herbert added.

The Chargers coaches have certainly built high hopes for this year’s offensive line. They are crucial to the offense’s functionality, and it’s common knowledge that any winning team in the NFL can run the ball well. 

“I can’t speak highly enough of how those guys are working,” Roman said. “You can start to visualize some things you can do with those guys.

“They’re very versatile, very good athletes, they pull well, they can come off the ball and knock people back,” Roman added. “They can go reach people. We’re really excited about that group.”

Joe Alt receiving first-team reps at right tackle, Trey Pipkins at right guard at Chargers OTAs

Jim Harbaugh said that they’re going to start their best five offensive linemen.

This early in the process is when different looks and lineups are incorporated to see how players mesh with one another.

But a notable development came during Chargers OTAs. According to the team’s official reporter, Eric Smith, Joe Alt received starting reps at right tackle while Trey Pipkins slid inside to right guard.

Smith mentioned that when the Chargers went to 11-on-11 drills, Brenden Jaimes came in for Zion Johnson. Alt replaced Pipkins, who slid inside to right guard.

Jim Harbaugh emphasized that they’re going to start the best five linemen when the season comes around.

At the moment, left tackle Rashawn Slater, center Bradley Bozeman and Alt are likely the only ones with starting spots locked up. Meanwhile, there will likely be a competition for the guard spots, with Johnson, Salyer, Pipkins and Jaimes in contention for them.

How the offensive line shakes up will be one of the biggest storylines when training camp begins in July.

Report: Saints to host Boston College OL Christian Mahogany on pre-draft visit

Add another name to the list of 30 official pre-draft visits for the Saints. Get to know Boston College guard Christian Mahogany:

Add another name to the list of New Orleans Saints official visits ahead of the 2024 NFL draft. Boston College offensive guard Christian Mahogany is one of the 30 prospects meeting with the Saints at their headquarters in Metairie this spring, per NFL draft analyst Jared Tokarz.

Mahogany has been on our radar for a while — he’s someone we put on our 2024 draft watch list last summer, and who was linked to the Saints in way-too-soon mock drafts before the season started. His college career began at left guard before the Eagles asked him to move to the right side, where he’s started in 2021 and 2023 (Mahogany missed the 2022 season with a knee injury).

Mahogany has done well for himself. He weighed in beneath the Saints’ previously-established standards for a guard at 6-foot-3 and 314 pounds but that’s right in line with the thresholds Klint Kubiak valued in his previous stint as an offensive coordinator, and his impressive movement skills should serve him well as a pro; Mahogany posted a 9.63 Relative Athletic Score which ranked 58 out of 1,523 guards since 1987.

Boston College has been an offensive line factory in recent years with several high draft picks like Zion Johnson (Los Angeles Chargers in 2022) and Chris Lindstrom (Atlanta Falcons in 2019), and Mahogany could be next. He was talked up as the best player on the field at East-West Shrine Bowl practices earlier this offseason. He’s currently projected to be a second- or third-round pick, so Mahogany could be in play when the Saints are on the clock at No. 45.

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Look: Chargers arrive for first day of offseason workout program

Check out the Chargers back in action.

Since the Chargers have a new head coach in Jim Harbaugh, they began their voluntary workout program before any of the other NFL teams, as players and coaches were back in the building on Tuesday.

It’s only the first phase of the program, which consists of meetings and weight room training. Once Phase 2 begins, players can get on the field and begin running drills, not in an 11-on-11 setting, however.

To see the Bolts return to the facility and in action in the weight room, here are some photos and a video, courtesy of the team’s official social media.

 

A strong offensive line is a priority for Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh talks about the importance of the offensive line.

Going into the 2024 season, a strong offensive line is crucial for Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. He believes the offensive line is directly related to the success of the entire offensive unit. 

“The offensive line to me is important,” Harbaugh said, per the team’s official website. “If I asked you the question like, ‘What position group depends on no other position group to be good, but every other position group depends on them to be good. What position group is that?’. Offensive line

“They’re not relying on any other position group to be good. They go out, yet every other position group relies on the offensive line to be good,” Harbaugh added.

The offensive line struggled last season, which led to several problems for quarterback Justin Herbert. Instead of helping him, the offensive line often became a burden. 

Several starters return from last season, including Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Jamaree Salyer, and Trey Pipkins III. The Chargers also acquired center Bradley Bozeman in free agency. 

Harbaugh believes the key for a strong offensive line is for the group to work together—as one. 

“I think they’re really good, I think they’re really willing and then just the mentality of that group, that’s like a fist, there’s five of them,” Harbaugh said. “There’s one, two, three, four, five, playing as one on that offensive line.

“Just can’t wait to get in the room, get in the weight room, get on the field and coach guys and be around them and build that group. Excited about that as well.”

Chargers’ Keenan Allen, Joey Bosa unlikely to play vs. Chiefs

Keenan Allen has missed the last three games.

At his media availability of Wednesday, Chargers interim head coach Giff Smith was asked about Joey Bosa and Keenan Allen’s potential participation in Week 18.

While he didn’t write off their chances of playing entirely, he indicated that either suiting up is unlikely. Smith said the chances of Allen and Bosa playing are “slim.”

Smith said that Allen nor Bosa has “progressed” in their comeback efforts as they’ve expected. Allen has dealt with a heel injury since the team’s first loss to the Broncos. Bosa has missed more time after suffering a foot injury against the Packers. The Chargers activated his 21-day practice window two weeks ago, but it seems that we won’t see Bosa be formally activated for play.

With the Chargers being put in a tough spot following the season-ending injury to Justin Herbert, it always seemed unlikely that either Allen or Bosa would return without a potential playoff appearance on the line. The firings of Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco paired with the Bolts’ formal elimination from playoff contention effectively ensured that would be the case.

Smith was also asked about Kenneth Murray (shoulder) and Zion Johnson (neck) after both players missed last week’s game at Denver. He indicated that they’ll have a likelier chance to play depending on how both progress in their recoveries throughout the week. Per the Chargers’ official injury report, Johnson and Murray did not practice today. Jordan McFadden and Nick Niemann started in their respective places against Denver.

Finally, Joshua Palmer is working his way back from his concussion after missing the Denver game in Week 17 as well. Smith indicated that he is “progressing” through the protocol. Palmer was limited in practice today.