The Chargers open training camp in July ahead of their Hall of Fame Game appearance against the Lions on July 31, but the roster heading into the preseason is already set after free agency, the draft, and undrafted free agency this spring. With a number of new additions and changes to the depth chart, how does the roster stack up compared to what Los Angeles put on the field for Jim Harbaugh’s first season at the helm?
Here is the defensive side of the ball.
Defensive line: Worse
The loss of Poona Ford still stings two months later, even with Ford only on the other side of town after signing with the Rams in free agency. Morgan Fox, LA’s leader in interior pressures last season, is also gone. The Chargers replaced those two with Da’Shawn Hand, Naquan Jones, and third-round selection Jamaree Caldwell. Hand and Jones have been rotational players at best for their entire careers, which means that LA will likely be asking Teair Tart to take a step forward in 2025. Caldwell is a pure nose tackle built more like Ford, but defensive tackle is a notoriously difficult position to make an impact at as a rookie.
Edge rusher: Worse
Despite frustrations about Joey Bosa’s health in his last couple of seasons as a Charger, the 2016 first-rounder was still third on the team in pressures last season. He’ll suit up for Buffalo this season, with fourth-rounder Kyle Kennard the only new addition to the group to replace that production. Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and Bud Dupree are back, with Tuipulotu especially expected to take a bigger step as a full-time starter this season.
Linebacker: Better
The core trio of Daiyan Henley, Denzel Perryman, and Junior Colson are back on the roster this season, with special teamer Troy Dye also returning and Del’Shawn Phillips rounding out the group as the lone external addition this offseason. However, Colson’s health makes this group better than last year’s heading into the year. As a rookie, the Michigan linebacker dealt with an injury in OTAs, missed training camp with an appendectomy, and was placed on injured reserve midway through the year with an ankle injury. With all of that behind him this year, both Perryman and linebackers coach NaVorro Bowman have said they’re expecting a breakout year from the second-year player.
Cornerback: Better
Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still are back after strong rookie campaigns, with Hart expected to lock down a boundary spot while Still mans the nickel. Donte Jackson replaces Kristian Fulton and Asante Samuel Jr. in the other boundary spot, and while those two are roughly equivalent players, Jackson has only missed three games in the last two seasons. Fulton missed two games and was limited in a handful of others with a hamstring issue last year. Samuel played in only four games before being placed on injured reserve.
With Jackson more likely to make it through the full season, there’s a better chance that Hart and Still can settle into their respective roles without having to move around as they did last season. It also keeps Ja’Sir Taylor off the top line of the depth chart after he struggled in the nickel a season ago.
Safety: Same
Los Angeles brings back their core trio of Derwin James, Elijah Molden, and Alohi Gilman in 2025. The depth of the group is marginally better after the Chargers drafted RJ Mickens in the sixth round a month ago, but he, Tony Jefferson, and Kendall Williamson are all players that should be expected to contribute more on special teams than on defense, injuries notwithstanding.