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USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF grades for the Chargers' projected defensive starters
PFF grades for the Chargers' projected defensive starters The Chargers finished as one of the top defenses under Jesse Minter last season. Most of their starting unit will stay intact, except Joey Bosa and Poona Ford. Los Angeles retained Khalil Mack, Teair Tart and Elijah Molden, while adding rotational pieces at a few different positions. To look ahead to the upcoming season, here is a look at the team's projected starting defense and how they graded out last season, per Pro Football Focus. DI Da'Shawn Hand (60.5) DI Otito Ogbonnia (49.5) DI Teair Tart (78.9) Edge Khalil Mack (90.2) Edge Tuli Tuipulotu (66.5) LB Daiyan Henley (69.5) LB Junior Colson (36.7) CB Cam Hart (58.6) CB Tarheeb Still (75.5) S Derwin James Jr. (80.8) S Alohi Gilman (64.3)
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF grades for the Chargers' projected offensive starters
PFF grades for the Chargers' projected offensive starters The Chargers invested in the offensive side of the ball this offseason, acquiring more weapons for Justin Herbert and adding the hulking Mekhi Becton to improve the running game, which now features rookie Omarion Hampton and veteran Najee Harris. To look ahead to the upcoming season, here is a look at the team's projected starting offense and how they graded out last season, per Pro Football Focus. QB Justin Herbert (91.2) RB Omarion Hampton (88.4*) RB Najee Harris (77.2) WR Ladd McConkey (84.3) WR Mike Williams (58.8) WR Tre Harris (89.7*) TE Will Dissly (67.1) LT Rashawn Slater (90.9) LG Zion Johnson (64.4) C Bradley Bozeman (61.0) RG Mekhi Becton (70.8)
Los Angeles Times
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart eager to prove they can be stars in Chargers' secondary
Tarheeb Still said his farewells and was ready to leave for a three-day weekend. On a Thursday this offseason, the second-year cornerback told Ben Herbert, the Chargers' executive director of player personnel, that he would 'see him Monday.' A deep voice in the background suddenly changed Still's schedule. 'Why aren't you coming in tomorrow?' Khalil Mack asked the 22-year-old. Motivated by Mack's example, Still is poised for a breakout season as he competes for a larger role in a stacked secondary group. The former fifth-round pick who started 12 games as a rookie has been working with the 34-year-old, nine-time Pro Bowl selection every Friday, picking Mack's brain on football and life. No wonder why Still 'seems like he's a different person,' defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale said. 'I love when you see young players run towards great players, greatness and not the other direction,' Clinkscale said. 'It's awesome to mimic their habits and what they do, especially their good habits, and Tarheeb has really done that. He's really grown up and matured.' Still was already working with Herbert from Monday through Thursday, but soon added Fridays with Mack. They begin their strength training around 9 a.m. together, but Still knows Mack gets to the facility earlier in the training room. There's no way Mack could have built his Hall of Fame-worthy career without putting in every ounce of extra work. 'Khalil is just showing me how to be intentional,' Still said. 'Every day, taking advantage of small incremental gains every day to get to where I want to be.' The Chargers progressed to the next step of their offseason program Tuesday, opening organized team activities. The sight of offense and defense lining up against each other for the first time during the offseason brought excitement to the facility, but frustration for Cam Hart. The second-year cornerback, who, like Still, was drafted in the fifth round last year, is not yet fully cleared after undergoing shoulder surgery in January. Hart sustained a torn labrum against the Houston Texans in the playoffs, but said he expects to be cleared to return around mandatory minicamp, which begins June 10. The shoulder injury was a punctuation mark on a promising, but injury-riddled rookie year for Hart. Despite making six starts in 14 appearances with 37 tackles, Hart also battled two concussions and an ankle injury. The injuries tormented Hart as he went through the offseason program, rehabbing twice a day since the shoulder injury. 'I showed a small percentage of who Cam can be in the NFL last year,' Hart said. 'With 17 healthy games, I think I got a lot more to show.' Although they return most of their top performers from last year's secondary that ranked seventh in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game compared to 30th in 2023, the Chargers have renewed competition at cornerback without Kristian Fulton and Asante Samuel Jr. Fulton parlayed a resurgent season with the Chargers into a multi-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent, and Samuel remains a free agent after a shoulder injury limited the former second-round pick to just four games last year. Wanting to bolster the secondary with more size and speed, the Chargers brought in free agents Benjamin St-Juste and Donte Jackson. The 6-foot-3 St-Juste started in 42 of his 45 appearances for the Washington Commanders in the last three seasons, and Jackson, an eight-year NFL veteran, is coming off a career-best five interceptions with the Pittsburgh Steelers last year. Still and Hart, who were rookies hoping to make any positive impact a year ago, are now 'the cream of the crop,' Clinkscale said. The newest crop of rookies even flashed their potential Tuesday as seventh-round selection Trikweze Bridges and undrafted free agent Jaylen Jones each got an interception during the no-contact 11-on-11 periods. The secondary depth could cause headaches for Clinkscale. He wouldn't have it any other way. 'Nobody has a spot,' Clinkscale said. 'We want to see who's going to earn it.' With more than three months remaining until the Chargers open their season in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Still knew he had to dial back the competition Tuesday during practice. The drills are still meant to be non-contact during the voluntary sessions. Keeping everyone on their feet and healthy was more important than breaking up a pass or grabbing an interception, Still said. Still was attached to receiver Ladd McConkey's hip on a deep route down the sideline, but didn't dive or reach for the ball to breakup a slightly underthrown pass from quarterback Justin Herbert. McConkey's tightrope catch drew cheers from his teammates. Still said the no-contact periods were perfect opportunities to hone his technique, but when asked if he would have picked off the pass intended for McConkey, Still covered his face. 'No comment,' he said, trying to hide his smile. The confident look on his face was comment enough.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
WR Tre Harris is emerging as the Los Angeles Chargers' rookie sensation
Credits: Getty The Los Angeles Chargers are not letting any opportunity slip. The team has been making incredibly valuable picks ahead of the 2025 NFL season. Following a spectacular selection such as former North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton, the team's 2025 offseason rookie selection generates buzz among media and fans. The Chargers' 2025 second-round, 55th pick, wide receiver Tre Harris, is turning heads with his stunning set of skills. As the former Ole Miss standout continues to raise eyebrows as the Chargers' 2025 draft pick, fans have been eager with excitement to witness his well-praised gameplay outside the training camp clips. Hype builds around the Los Angeles Chargers' wide receiver Tre Harris Despite being the second-round number 55th pick, Harris is one of the best investments the Chargers have made this 2025 NFL offseason. The newly drafted rookie might be new to the NFL league; however, he was among the best performers during his time with the Ole Miss Rebels. After being extremely successful in having a running back like Hampton on board, the Chargers are leaving no stone unturned to be at the top of their game this season. This isn't the first time Harris is building hype, probably the first time in the NFL league, but his high school days have been no less. Before being inducted into the big league, a tweet from last year surfaces in our sight predicting Harris' caliber will likely be a threat in the NFL. The X post from the NFL Draft analysis website SCOUTD read, 'Tre Harris (WR #OleMiss) is going to be a problem in the NFL. Prototype frame, and he knows how to use it. Surprising and impressive ability to sink, wiggle, and create separation on tape. I'm going to be high on him during the draft process. Welcoming comparisons…' This statement stands valid even today if we look at the impressive stats of the 6'2 tall, 205-pound rookie so far. With a No. 1 ranking in the NATION in receiving yards per game (128.8), Harris completed his Ole Miss career with 2,015 yards and 15 touchdown receiving on 114 receptions in a total of 20 games played. Also Read: Isaiah Likely's jersey goal: Inherit Lamar Jackson's No.8 if the Baltimore Ravens win it all Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Who is the Chargers' most underappreciated player ahead of the 2025 season?
Who is the Chargers' most underappreciated player ahead of the 2025 season? NFL Media's Tom Blair identified the most underappreciated players for each of the 32 teams in the NFL. For the Chargers, Blair spotlighted safety Elijah Molden. Here is what he had to say: After a fitfully productive, injury-marred start to his career in Tennessee, Molden was traded to the Chargers last year and flourished under coordinator Jesse Minter, starting 12 games and logging three picks, seven passes defensed and 75 tackles, all personal highs, before landing on injured reserve with a broken fibula. The former cornerback's switch to safety paid off: He ranked sixth in the NFL at the position in EPA when targeted (-12.3), per NGS, and fit in well with Derwin James and Alohi Gilman. There is something satisfying when a change of scenery really clicks for a player, with a new coaching approach or better surrounding circumstances unlocking an underlying talent or ability to contribute, and that certainly seems to be what happened with Molden, who signed a new three-year pact with the Bolts this offseason. After being traded by the Titans, Molden enjoyed a resurgence season, as he was one of the better defenders during the 2024 season. As a result, the former Washington product was rewarded with a three-year contract extension worth $18.75 million. Molden served as the third safety alongside Derwin James and Alohi Gilman, allowing James to primarily serve as a slot defender, where he's at his best. Before sustaining a broken leg in Week 17, Molden had career-highs in tackles (75), interceptions (3), and passes defended (7). His 75.6 PFF overall grade ranked 12th among qualified safeties, and his 75.4 PFF coverage grade was 11th. With Molden staying in Los Angeles, his presence will once again be imperative in Jesse Minter's defense, which finished top 10 in multiple categories this past season.
