The Los Angeles Chargers famously drafted both cornerbacks Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still during the fifth round last year, and due to some injuries in the secondary, both had a fair amount of starts and performed well for rookies. By the end of the regular season, Still led the team in interceptions (four), while Hart came in second in pass breakups (five).
In addition to the rookies, veterans were brought in during the offseason, like cornerback Kristian Fulton, who also had the second most pass-breakups (five), tied with Hart. Veteran cornerback Eli Apple got elevated from the practice squad after being signed later in the season and played in a few games before going on injured reserve for a time, while cornerbacks Ja’Sir Taylor, Asante Samuel Jr., and Deane Leonard played in between injuries. Samuel, in particular, missed the majority of the season with a shoulder injury.
As the Chargers face some pending free agents in Fulton, Samuel, and Apple, should they look to the draft or free agency to fill the holes?
Los Angeles Chargers Will Need To Add CB Depth
Draft Choices
Besides the highly sought-after cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter from Colorado, who will almost certainly not be around by the time the Chargers draft, here are others to consider:
Will Johnson, Michigan
It would be cool to see Johnson reunited with Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, as they won a national championship together in 2023.
NFL scouts at Bleacher Report said that Johnson “has coverage versatility to play both man and zone coverages, though he looks more comfortable when he is able to see and play the quarterback.”
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During the 2023 regular season, Johnson had the best receiver coverage grade (83.3%) from Pro Football Focus (PFF) of the Michigan team, with the second most interceptions (three). He had a turf toe injury that kept him out after Week 8 of the 2024 season, but he still managed to have nine STOPs, two interceptions, and pass breakups.
It would be great to see him and Harbaugh back together, but Johnson likely won’t be left when the Chargers pick at 22.
Jahdae Barron, Texas Longhorns
Barron would be an interesting choice as Bleacher Report highlights his versatility and said he was “used in an almost limitless way at Texas” and can be utilized at cornerback, nickel, and safety.
In addition to having the “ability to cover a variety of offensive players, including tight ends and larger receivers,” he’s also “a force in the run game. His stout, aggressive nature allows him to play much bigger than his listed size, and he isn’t afraid to mix it up in the box.”
Barron had the highest regular season defense (90.6%) and coverage (91.3%) grades of the Texas team and was tied with two other players for the most pass breakups (seven). The Chargers could use a Derwin James Jr. like player and are always up for versatility when it comes to defense (defensive lineman Scott Matlock rings a bell).
And having the ninth-best run defense grade of his team last season is a plus, as the Chargers certainly need some help against high-powered running backs. He may be one of those picks that goes quite high but would be a great addition if they can snag him.
Free Agency
Keeping some of the Chargers free agents would be ideal as they’re familiar with defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s scheme, but also, who can turn down an upgrade? Here are some players they could target:
Byron Murphy Jr., Vikings
PFF is predicting Murphy will earn a $17.33 million average per year contract and said he was “a good fit in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ uber-aggressive defense. His six interceptions in 2024 were tied for the most among cornerbacks.”
Murphy went up in all PFF categories this past year with career highs during the regular season in STOPs (20) and interceptions.
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The Chargers could use another ball hawk on the team to take those high-powered receivers down a notch. Murphy may be off the market quickly, though, as Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star-Tribune said, “The Vikings pushed back the void date on Byron Murphy Jr.’s contract to March 11, and re-signing the cornerback is a high priority for them.”
D.J. Reed, Jets
Reed has been consistently putting up good numbers for the Jets with PFF grades all in the 60s and 70s last season, with one sack and seven pass breakups. Out of his regular season stats, his run defense grade was 43rd amongst cornerbacks, while his coverage grade was 47th.
When Reed spoke to the New York Post in 2024, regarding his size, he said, “…I just feel like when I’m out there, I don’t feel small [5-foot-9]… It’s not really, ‘Oh, this receiver’s 6-5.’ I don’t even think of that. Whoever’s lined up against me, I just think that I’m going to win the rep, and that’s just how I operate.”
This “thinking big” mentality has shown in his stats, and the Chargers could use a consistent producer like Reed. PFF predicts him to get a three-year, $14 million average per year deal.
The Verdict
The Chargers do have cap space, but it’s unclear how much they want to devote to this position group.
Ultimately, Harbaugh and company will most likely go with a mix of draft and free agency to add depth and more starting pieces outside of Hart and Still. Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz are never satisfied when it comes to roster construction, so it’ll be interesting to see what players they choose to pursue and when.