As it turned out, 2023’s Los Angeles Chargers interior defensive line was bad. Fast forward to today and the unit looks completely different. Gone are three of the four leading snap-getters. The new front office added seven-season veteran Poona Ford and drafted Justin Eboigbe in the 4th round of the NFL Draft.
And that’s about it.
Where does the Los Angeles Chargers DL Stack Up?
While Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz have invested heavily in, well, every other positional unit, the defensive line has not gotten much attention. And the results, according to FTN Fantasy’s latest defensive line ranking, are good for a 32nd-place ranking. Dead last.
Here is their analysis of the group;
DE: Poona Ford, NT: Otito Ogbonnia, DE: Morgan Fox
The Chargers have excellent pass rushers surrounding a very underwhelming defensive line. Los Angeles’ three projected starters combined to generate just six sacks and 54 pressures in 2023.
The “highlight” of this defensive unit is free agent addition Poona Ford. Ford played just 151 snaps in 2023 and paced this group in pass rush (71.5), run defense (47.6) and overall grade (59.3). That just isn’t very good.
Morgan Fox is a gritty, high-motor player with limited athleticism. That is great if he’s the third-best lineman on a defense. Unfortunately, he may just be the best the Chargers have to offer.
There just isn’t much to celebrate with this position grouping.
On the positive side, the Chargers can still add to the group. With $26.6 million in cap space, they could go after one or more options still available. The following players are currently unsigned;
- Calais Campbell
- Hassaan Ridgeway
- Lawrence Guy
- Bryan Mone
- Linval Joseph
Of course, defensive lines don’t play in a vacuum. The rest of the Chargers’ defense is well-stocked, particularly when looking at the players in direct support to the defensive line. They have premier edge rushers and an improved group of linebackers as well as the Swiss army knife safety, Derwin James.