23-05-2025
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.
