Welcome to Part 6 of our draft preview series, which will be a position-by-position look at key prospects and where the Chargers roster stands ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. This series will include a look at which prospects could be options for the Chargers later this month.
We chatted with NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah to break down the safeties in this draft class. Jeremiah can be found on X/Twitter @MoveTheSticks for his analysis.
Chargers status at safety
Derwin James Jr., Elijah Molden, Tony Jefferson, RJ Mickens and Kendall Williamson
The Chargers have a mix of elite talent and dependable talent in their safety room.
Derwin James, who has earned back-to-back Second-Team All-Pro honors, leads the way on and off the field as the alpha leader.
James finished the regular season second on the team with 94 total tackles to go along with seven passes defensed, 2.0 sacks and six tackles for loss.
He also tacked on three interceptions, which tied a career-high and were the most he’s had since his rookie season in 2018.
Molden, who signed a multi-year contract extension in 2025, said in January that he’s looking to bounce back after a season in which he missed five games due to injury and didn’t record an interception, forced fumble or fumble recovery.
Even so, Molden’s veteran presence on the back end allows James to roam near the line of scrimmage as a hybrid nickel defender.
Tony Jefferson, a fan favorite, recently linked back up with the Chargers as a free agent and will once again provide veteran leadership and a tone-setting style of play.
R.J. Mickens, a 2025 sixth-round pick, offers upside as a depth piece who could work his way into a more prominent role, while Kendall Williamson is a key special teams player who stayed with the Chargers this offseason as an exclusive rights free agent.