Los Angeles Chargers 23.4 PPG, Sacks 48: Tied 7th

The Los Angeles Chargers were swallowed by the NFL waves of 2023, and are looking for better waters in 2024. They gave up 23.4 points per game, but were a top ten team in sacks, 7th. Yet 48 sacks could not overcome terrible coaching and a bad offense.

2023 did have some highlights including Khalil Mack, who earned 17 sacks, fourth most in the NFL. Derwin James Jr. had several big moments but we will discuss both of them later. Despite playing second rate quarterbacks in their own division, they could not get into the playoffs which somehow seemed just out of grasp.

2024 Projections: 24th

No movement is projected for the Chargers who could experience another woeful season. New Head Coach Jim Harbaugh is not a rookie head coach, but he is in his first year of coaching the Chargers. He will have new personnel around him, new coaching staff around him, and it will take time for everyone to understand his philosophy and approach to football.

The reason for a lack of movement up the projections is because of Harbaugh’s adjustment period, and the fact that Justin Herbert is not 100% healthy going into the season. There is also potential for every team in the AFC West to improve their offenses, which would only further hamper the D/ST rankings. Do not draft the Chargers defense, but there could be games in which they have peak scores, most notably against bad offensive lines.

BEST FF IDPs: In Order of Ranking

DB – Derwin James Jr. 

LB – Khalil Mack

LB – Joey Bosa

Derwin James Jr. has been an elite defensive back since he entered the league. Although that feels like a decade ago, he is just entering his seventh season… and he didn’t play all of 2020 and very little of 2019. Some IDP heads remember those years in which he burned the fantasy football community, and others have known him to carry them to titles.

James Jr. set career marks in combined tackles (125), solo tackles (86), and fumble recoveries (2) last season. He also added 7 passes defended and 2 sacks, Derwin’s versatility as a safety can not be overstated. He is 6’ 2”, 215 pounds which makes him bigger than most linebackers, yet he can cover with the elite safeties. 

He could easily top his career numbers in 2024, particularly if the Chargers are not great offensively. They are virtually void of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, and Derwin James is their three time Pro Bowl captain. He is a popular IDP and usually one of the first five defensive backs drafted. Fantasy managers should plan on drafting him early if they want him.

Khalil Mack joined elite company last year with his blast from the past performance. Mack played all 17 games and finished with 17 sacks, a career best for the veteran. Those 17 sacks put Mack at 101.5 career sacks. He joined the rare air of the 100 sack club, an exclusive list of 43 official players (64 unofficially). He can keep adding to that total in 2024, ten or more sacks again this season is well within reach.

Mack also recorded 74 combined tackles, 22 quarterback hits, 10 passes defended, and 5 forced fumbles, not bad for an aging outside linebacker. He is a popular name and is truthfully drafted all over the place, but he does have worth in standard leagues. If in leagues which sacks are heavily rewarded Mack’s value increases, and his draft round should be increased two to three rounds.

Joey Bosa has made four Pro Bowl teams despite being viewed as somewhat of a disappointment. He has only started a combined nine games in the past two seasons, and injuries have plagued his NFL career. There is inherent risk with drafting Joey Bosa, and Denzel Perryman was almost the selection here, but Bosa’s upside put him in the third spot.

J. Bosa does have amazing seasons, and his Pro Bowl appearances are legitimate, as well as his Defensive Rookie of the Year from 2016. He has four seasons with over 10.5 sacks, and is considered the second pass threat behind K. Mack. Bosa should have plenty of one-on-one opportunities, which should lead to over ten sacks as long as he stays healthy. 

It’s a big ask for Bosa to play a complete season, and he has never played 17 games in a season. However it’s a risk/reward draft scenario, and his draft stock is all over the place. Fantasy football managers should not reach for J. Bosa, but if he falls to the end of the draft, his ceiling can not be ignored. In IDP leagues with a deep bench, he is absolutely worth a stash and even a start, but do not reach for a high risk player.

Tomorrow the Seattle Seahawks.
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Bet Smart, Be Lucky – Iggy

All statistics come from pro-football-reference and Sleeperbot.