Following the departure of defensive linemen Poona Ford to the Rams and Morgan Fox to the Atlanta Falcons, the Chargers’ were left with a critical gap. An avenue that their general manager, Joe Hortiz, could not fill via free agency. Despite this challenge, Hortiz brokered new deals with Teair Tart and introduced two new additions – Naquan Jones from the Arizona Cardinals, and Da’Shawn Hand from the Miami Dolphins – in a bid to compensate for the absence of Ford and Fox.
As the NFL draft’s 22nd pick draws near, the onus is on Hortiz to fill in the vacuum left by Ford and Fox. Hortiz’s drafting policy, something he sharpened over a twenty-year career with the Baltimore Ravens, is quite clear when it comes to defensive players – the best player is the one picked. This philosophy he picked up from his time with the Raven’s front office under the tutelage of Ozzie Newsome and Eric DeCosta.
In view of the present situation and the team’s ostensible need for defensive line reinforcement, the Southern California News Group suggests that Hortiz should put Kenneth Grant on his radar. Grant is a defensive tackle from the University of Michigan with an imposing physique of 6-foot-4 and tipping the scales at 331 pounds.
If Hortiz is intent on selecting a defensive player for the 22nd overall pick, the Chargers could do worse than considering Grant. The Chargers’ defensive prowess saw them concede a league-low average of 17.7 points during the 2024 season. This is the first time in the Chargers’ history that they have topped the league in defense. A player of Grant’s caliber could continue to amplify this disruptive force the Chargers seek to preserve, especially with the departure of Ford and Fox.
Ford and Fox had been instrumental in the Chargers’ strategy to prevent explosive runs, an issue that was synonymous with Brandon Staley’s brief stint as a coach. A testament to their defensive efficacy was the league-smallest seven rushing touchdowns that they conceded in 2024. Incorporating Grant into the squad will only serve to augment that prowess.
Despite achieving the league-low in rushing touchdowns, the Chargers did show some chinks in their armor. They gave up 4.7 yards per rushing attempt, slightly above the NFL average of 4.4 yards per rush. The team also conceded 117.5 yards per game on the ground, albeit still slightly under the league average of 119.8 yards per game.
Come the 2025 season, Grant has the opportunity to continue to grow in his role. Learning on the job, he’d be a backup to Hand and Tart in the buildup to training camp, which commences in late July. Then as the season sets in during September, he could rise to the challenge of securing a starting position.
Consideration of familiarity may play a part if Hortiz opts for a defensive player in the first round. Hortiz made it clear that he does have several alternatives, as he highlighted last week. The Chargers’ perceived requirement for depth in their defensive line could also mean that they start planning for life post their future Hall of Fame outside linebacker, Khalil Mack.
At 34 years of age, Mack looks set to return to the Chargers for his 12th NFL season. Mack entered into a $18 million one-year contract to stick with the Chargers despite flirting with thoughts of retirement when the season fizzled out with a heavy defeat to the Houston Texans in an AFC wild-card playoff match. Following a career-high 17 sacks in 2023, he recorded a modest six in 2024.
However, the Chargers have a new talent rising up the ranks in the form of Tuli Tuipulotu who is poised to step into a full-time role. This development follows the Chargers letting go of Joey Bosa, who joined the Buffalo Bills on a one-season contract. The team also has others like Bud Dupree, Tre’Mon Morris, Caleb Murphy, and Chris Collins who can step in as backups if the situation demands.
Other roles, such as cornerback and safety, look stable at the moment. And yet, as Hortiz pointed out last week, it’s impossible to predict where and when a need will arise due to unforeseen injuries or subpar performance. Who could have foreseen that Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still would emerge as the starting cornerbacks prior to the 2024 draft?
With all circumstances taken into account, the prudent choice for Hortiz would be to opt for Grant with the Chargers’ first among 10 picks if he decides to go for a defensive player 22nd overall. Mack’s decision to return and Hortiz’s success in the free agency suggests that the Chargers’ defensive lineup is largely solid for the 2025 season.
Their current requirement is to supplement these existing resources by drafting someone like Grant. He could be the puzzle piece that perfectly fits, helping them maintain the defensive standards they are known for and further bolster their team for the upcoming 2025 season.