As stated previously the Chargers’ offense will likely be in very good hands next season with the presence of Jim Harbaugh/Mike McDaniel/Justin Herbert, and the defense will be the bigger concern for the Chargers. I have already assessed the front seven of the team heading into the year and now I will analyze the back-end defense for the Chargers heading into the 2026 campaign.
Set to start at the first of the two cornerback spots is Cam Hart who has struggled thus far in the NFL and may be better suited in a reserve role. Hart, the 2024 5th rounder, has graded in the below average range in each of his first two seasons in the NFL thus far. However, Hart did show improvement from year 1 to year 2 as he grading noticeably below average as a rookie but barely below average in year 2 in terms of an overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus. Perhaps Chris O’Leary and Jim Harbaugh are banking on his continued improvement to now being an above average player, but as of now I view Hart to be a player better suited in a reserve role rather than being a starter.
Derwin James, the five time all-pro, is set to start at the strong safety spot, and is one of the better if not one of the best defensive players in the sport today. James, outside of one outlier year, has consistently graded in the borderline elite to elite range among players at his position. However, James will turn 30 years old next season and could start to decline as a result. Additionally, just like his contemporary in the Chargers’ front seven in Khalil Mack, I do not feel comfortable saying that James is among the best players at his position but rather one of the better if not one of the best. Likewise, I do not feel comfortable saying that James is an A to A+ caliber player, but I rather have him as an A-, just like Khalil Mack.
2021 3rd round safety Elijah Molden is set to start at the free safety spot to complement James but he has been far too inconsistent in his career and may be better suited as a backup. In two of the past three seasons Molden has graded in the below average to well below average range among players at his position, but in the remaining year, he graded in the well above average to borderline elite range. Given his inconsistencies but still very high ceiling, Molden is likely better suited as a high-end backup but is in line to start as of now but could transition to a reserve role eventually next season.
Former 2nd rounder Donte Jackson is set to start at the other primary cornerback spot for the Chargers and like Molden has shown a very high ceiling but is far too inconsistent. Jackson, in seven seasons outside of his rookie year has graded in the above average range only twice, although he was well above average in those years, one of which was in 2025. Likewise, Jackson is likely better has a backup given his high ceiling but his inconsistencies and he could eventually transition to a reserve role at some point in 2026.
2024 5th rounder Tarheeb Still is set to start at the nickel corner spot and along with Derwin James is a bright spot in the Chargers’ starting secondary as of now. Still has consistently played at a borderline elite level in each of his first two seasons in the NFL and could eventually move to one of the primary corner spots instead of playing at the nickel corner spot.
The Chargers have several notable reserve players in their secondary as of now that could eventually transition to a starting role given the Chargers’ holes in their starting secondary as of now, or at worst will serve the team as strong backups. Veteran Tony Jefferson was a long-time starter in the NFL and a solid to a very good one in that. Jefferson although now at an advanced age could still start for the Chargers in place of the inconsistent Molden. In the past two seasons, taking reserve snaps, Jefferson has graded in the well above average range among players at his position. 2025 6th round safety R.J Mickens played very well in 2025 grading in the well above average range despite being a rookie. Cornerback Deane Leonard has consistently played at an above average level albeit in very limited snaps over the past two seasons. 2025 undrafted free agent Nikko Reed played at a well above average clip albeit in just 50 rookie snaps. Safety Kendall Williamson has looked borderline elite in very limited career snaps as well. The Chargers have many question marks but still a lot of potential in their secondary heading into 2026 and a breakdown of it can be found below.
2026 Chargers Starting Secondary
LCB – Cam Hart – C, likely better suited as backup, could still improve heading into year 3
SS – Derwin James – A-, among best overall safeties in the NFL
FS – Elijah Molden – C+ to B-, talented but too inconsistent
RCB – Donte Jackson – C+ to B-, talented but too inconsistent
NB – Tarheeb Still – A-, maybe best nickel corner in the NFL, could transition to one of the primary cornerback spots eventually
2026 Notable Chargers Secondary Reserves
S – Tony Jefferson – B
S – RJ Mickens – B to B+ as rookie in 2025, 6th rounder
CB – Deane Leonard – C+ to B-, consistently above average in very limited snaps however
CB – Nikko Reed – B+ in 50 rookie snaps, 2025 UDFA
S – Kendall Williamson – B+, borderline elite in very limited snaps
