With the draft near, now is an excellent time to review the Chargers’ depth chart and determine if they need to address each position group.
Next up: The defensive side of the ball.
Defensive tackle
Starters: Teair Tart, Jamaree Caldwell, Dalvin Tomlinson
Depth: Justin Eboigbe, Scott Matlock, TeRah Edwards, Josh Fuga
Tart signed a three-year extension after a season in which he posted a 74.7 PFF run-defense grade, ranking fifth among all qualifying interior linemen. Caldwell showed promise as a rookie, appearing in all 17 games with five starts. Tomlinson signed a one-year deal to provide veteran stability following Da’Shawn Hand’s departure. This position room has a lot of good players against the run, and would benefit from more pass rush juice from the inside.
Edge rusher
Starters: Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu
Depth: Bud Dupree, Kyle Kennard, Garmon Randolph
The Chargers lost Odafe Oweh, who signed a four-year deal with the Commanders. Mack signed a one-year, $18 million fully guaranteed contract to return for 2026. With Mack approaching the end of his career, the Bolts lack a clear running mate to pair with Tuipulotu long-term. It would be surprising to me if they don’t take one with one of their first two picks.
Linebacker
Starters: Daiyan Henley, Denzel Perryman
Depth: Troy Dye, Marlowe Wax, Del’Shawn Phillips, Junior Colson, Emany Johnson
Henley remains the top guy in this room. The Chargers retained Perryman, Dye and Phillips. While he missed time in 2025, Perryman started 10 games and remains a key run defender when healthy. Dye recorded 58 tackles and seven starts while filling in for the injured Perryman, proving to be more than just a special teams contributor. Phillips was a second-team All-Pro special teamer, while also working into the defense as the season went on.
Cornerback
Starters: Donte Jackson, Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart
Depth: Nikko Reed, Deane Leonard, Eric Rogers, Isas Waxter, Jordan Oladokun
The Chargers lost Benjamin St-Juste in free agency. They re-signed Leonard to a one-year deal. While it’s a solid core between Jackson, Still and Hart, they don’t have a true No. 1 cornerback for first-time NFL defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary, which is why I wouldn’t be surprised if they addressed the position early in the draft.
Safety
Starters: Derwin James Jr., Elijah Molden
Depth: Tony Jefferson, RJ Mickens, Kendall Williamson
The band is staying together after the Chargers re-signed Jefferson. O’Leary will continue to deploy James as a nickel defender, so he will be closer to the line of scrimmage. Molden will be one of the deep safeties in those situations. Mickens showed promise in his rookie season when being called on more following the trade of Alohi Gilman. Like cornerback, safety is a position that could be addressed earlier than people expect.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers 2026 defensive depth chart update, draft strategy
Reporting by Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire / Chargers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
