Top Five Defensive Bright Spots Of The Los Angeles Chargers 2024 Season 

Now that the season is over, it's time for some reflection.

Though the Los Angeles Chargers are out of the playoffs, there’s a lot to be excited about after this season. Below are my top five defensive bright spots, and tune in next week for my offensive ones.

Top 5 Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Bright Spots

Defensive Lineman, Poona Ford 

NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at Los Angeles Chargers
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Ford has had a resurgence since coming to LA from Buffalo, improving in almost all areas of play according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).

He ended the season with the third-highest run defense (80.3%) and defense (85.3%) grades of the team and also had the seventh-highest pass rush (70.0%) grade.

He’s been a pass rush monster, sacking high-caliber quarterbacks like Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow during Week 11, and stopping the likes of Texans running back Joe Mixon and Ravens running back Derrick Henry.

He also had his first career interception in the season-opener against the Raiders from a ball tipped by outside linebacker Khalil Mack.

He’s one of the Los Angeles Chargers free agents this offseason, coming off a one-year contract. He deserves to stick around in LA for 2025. 

Cornerback, Elijah Molden 

Top Five Defensive Bright Spots Of The Los Angeles Chargers 2024 Season 
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Before Molden went on injured reserve after breaking his fibula in Week 17 against the Patriots, he was having a stellar year.

Even though he didn’t play the last two games of the season, he ended the year with the fifth-highest coverage grade (75.4%), and the seventh-highest defense grade (75.6%) of the team. Molden was a ballhawk this year with a career-high in interceptions (three).

Also Read: Jim Harbaugh – The Best Culture Coach In The NFL

He was the reliable piece in the backfield, which was needed with the multiple game injuries to cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr., Ja’Sir Taylor, and safety Alohi Gilman.

Like Ford, Molden was also signed to a one-year deal and is up for a contract renewal. The Los Angeles Chargers should consider re-signing him as he’s a needed and valuable piece. 

Linebacker, Daiyan Henley 

NFL: AFC Wild Card Round-Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans
Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

This was Henley’s year. After not a lot of game time in 2023, he was able to hit the ground running in 2024.

Henley led the Los Angeles Chargers in solo tackles (99), STOPs (50), and pass breakups (six, tied with cornerback Cam Hart), and showed everyone that he earned the right to be drafted in the third round in 2023.

Related: 3 Priority Free Agents The Los Angeles Chargers Must Re-Sign

He almost had his first career interception in Week 2 against the Panthers and finally got it in Week 18.

Henley was relied upon heavily this year, wearing the green dot at times, and stopped some of the best running backs, like the Falcons RB Bijan Robinson, and went head-to-head with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce during Week 14.

He was an all-around defensive beast, and I’m expecting more great things from him in September. 

Cornerback, Tarheeb Still

NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Chargers
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Still was drafted this year in the fifth round at 137, and he’s been a great addition. According to Omar Navarro of the Los Angeles Chargers site, Still started out playing in the slot for an injured Taylor, who eventually moved to injured reserve after Week 18.

Additionally, Eric Smith noted that in Week 6 against the Broncos, Still got some time playing on the outside when cornerback Kristian Fulton got injured so that safety Derwin James Jr. could move inward.

Still did have some rookie growing pains in the receiver coverage area, such as during that Broncos matchup, where Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton hauled in a one-handed reception for a touchdown with Still in tight coverage.

Regardless, Still showed off his skills this year, finishing with the most interceptions of the Chargers defense (four), the second most pass breakups (five), and the sixth-best coverage grade (74.8%).

He wasn’t afraid to go one-on-one with some high-powered receivers and had a great pass breakup on a third down for a ball meant for Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase.

He’s certainly earned some praise and a bigger role on this team moving forward. 

Safety, Derwin James Jr. 

NFL: Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
Denny Medley-Imagn Images

James is back! Instead of former head coach Brandon Staley’s version of James, where he played every place possible on the defense, ultimately making it so that he couldn’t actually play any position well, we got the defensive coordinator Jesse Minter version, which was way better.

Sure, we still saw James play sometimes on the defensive line, sometimes on the outside, sometimes in the slot, but each time he moved this season was purposeful, especially since there were so many injuries in the secondary. And the increased focus in his role came through in his play.

James ended the season with a career-high PFF grade in run defense (87.9%), as well as in quarterback sacks (six), and had improvements in all his other PFF grades from 2023.

He was the hero in a lot of situations, including the last play of the Bengals game where he broke up Burrow’s Hail Mary pass to wide receiver Tee Higgins in the end zone to help the Los Angeles Chargers win.

Sometimes he’s a little too aggressive, and sometimes he’ll get fined, but if he keeps playing at this level and Minter sticks around to keep unlocking him, his best football is ahead. 

Honorable Mention: Cornerback Cam Hart 

NFL: Los Angeles Chargers at Arizona Cardinals
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Hart, another rookie, was making waves this year as he also stepped in due to all the injuries in the secondary. Despite being picked pretty late in round 5, a little after Still, and even with some injuries himself, he certainly made his mark.

Though Hart sometimes struggled with some of the more explosive plays, he had a lot of great moments.

When Cardinals running back James Conner was so dominant in Week 7, Hart managed to force a fumble by punching the ball out when Connor was on a run. And he had a big hit on Saints wide receiver Chris Olave during Week 8 to force the ball out. Hart also broke up a pass meant for Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley in Week 10 and on Bengals receiver Higgins in Week 11.

The aggression and confidence that both Hart and Still play with, is really something. They’ve both really taken their opportunities seriously, producing some highlight-worthy plays. 

Mentioned In This Article: