Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Stop Saying The Chargers Need This Position

The Chargers do not need this position that everyone is talking about, here's why.
Matlock Chargers

As it stands currently, many will point to a certain defensive position group for the Los Angeles Chargers to be one of the biggest needs on the team. However, due to young, talented depth pieces, I tend to disagree.

Stop Saying The Chargers Need Interior Defensive Linemen

How Each Player in This Room Can Contribute

Morgan Fox

Starting off the interior defensive line room is the former Rams and Panthers 4i specialist, Morgan Fox. Fox has been a very strong addition to the Chargers since his arrival in 2022. After a very strong 2022 season where he eventually gave the Chargers the confidence to finally cut first-round bust, Jerry Tillery, he earned a new 2-year contract with the Bolts. His first year under this new contract was spent under Brandon Staley where Staley continued to impress fans on how not to play defense. Fox was easily this teams best interior pass rusher, but did not receive much playing time for reasons unknown.

Going into his second and last year of his contract, the Chargers obviously have faith in Fox though he is not a scheme fit, and was a potential cut candidate early in the offseason. Now that OTAs have started, its obvious they have a plan for the pass-rushing specialist. Look for Fox to be this team’s mainstay third down rusher from the inside, who has also shown much improvement in his run defense. His play sets the tone for this entire group, as he is the #1 option.

Poona Ford

The other veteran in this group is a new acquisition, Poona Ford. The former Seahawks nose tackle found his way to Buffalo last season where he was a healthy scratch, for once again, an unknown coaching-related reason. He is now on the Bolts and is hungry to get back on the field and contribute like he has done his whole career.

Ford should be an easy plug-and-play nose tackle who uses his short stature at 5’11 to leverage opposing blockers backward. Ford has a unique build that has its positives and negatives, but his Football IQ definitely shows on tape. He will clog the run and give this team great continuity keeping teammates in check, and ensuring stunts are run properly. Look for Ford to be second on the team in interior defensive line snaps behind Fox, and be used as mainly that early down run-stuffer.

Otito Ogbonnia

Now, this is where it gets a little bit more complicated. After the two starters for this team, it gets very blurry to see who will be next in snaps for this team. The Chargers need to ensure that the top two interior defenders are fresh, especially because they are not the top-end talent that everyone wants. The first off the bench should be former fifth-round selection, Otito Ogbonnia. Ogbonnia has had one gruesome injury that he suffered at the end of his rookie year, which followed him into his second season in 2023. Once fully back from his injury, Ogbonnia appeared in eight games recording 21 tackles.

Expecting the former UCLA product to have such a huge uptick in production is not too farfetched. He has all the tools to develop into a starter, however that injury did truly hinder his growth. Another year removed from the injury and a new coaching regime could give Ogbonnia more snaps than ever, and give this interior defensive line room a much-needed depth option who can be both a zero technique and a three-technique.

Scott Matlock

Scott Matlock was the Chargers 2023 sixth-round selection, and he was touted for his immense athleticism and ability to chase down opposing ball carriers with immense effort given on every single play. However, his rookie season was definitely something to move on from quickly. He recorded a 36.8 PFF defensive grade, this ranked 135 out of 138 amongst every interior defensive lineman with at least 200 snaps.

With a rookie year where you can only really go up from, foreseeing Matlock to play fewer snaps, but more efficient ones is definitely in the cards. Under new coach Jesse Minter and Jim Harbaugh, Matlock will have a fresh start. His effort and athleticism should definitely set him apart from the other guys in the room, as he possesses athleticism that no one else in the room comes close to.

Chris Hinton

Moving onto my personal favorite sleeper in the entire room, Chris/Christopher Hinton. The former Michigan product played under Jim Harbaugh. He also has familiarity with Strength and Conditioning Coach Ben Herbert. Most importantly, Hinton played under now-Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. His best statistical collegiate season was in 2022 under Minter.

Beyond coaching familiarity, the son of NFL legend, Christopher Hinton Sr, has shown the most flashes out of anyone in this group besides the two obvious starters in Fox and Ford. Whether it is against all-pro guards in a pass-rushing situation or in run defense, the talent is there. With enough coaching and playing time, the possibility of Hinton becoming the Chargers next mainstay interior defensive lineman could definitely be very likely.

Justin Eboigbe

The first rookie on the list is fourth-round selection Justin Eboigbe. The Alabama defensive lineman is a versatile defender who can play as a 2i all the way to the outside of the tackle. His versatility is highly coveted by the team, and this should give Eboigbe plenty of playing time to show his refined technique and football IQ at the NFL level. Eboigbe is the perfect depth piece for this team, playing in any spot if one of Fox or Ford were to go down with an injury.

Jerrod Clark

Jerrod Clark spent all of last season on the practice squad, coming in as an undrafted free agent for the Chargers. The main reason why he is viewed much higher compared to other undrafted free agents is due to his former draft status. Some had Clark as early as a third-round selection in the 2023 NFL draft. Chargers were able to stash him on the practice squad, and further hone in his abilities as an interior defender. The main issue with Clark’s game is his lack of pass-rush ability, as he is strictly a pass-rushing nose tackle. At 6’4 335, it makes sense.

But once again, this is a new regime, and Clark has all the talent to audition for this new coaching staff and make the team over the other guys listed. When on the field, look for Clark to completely stuff the run, as he did in this first preseason. The flashes and talent are there. Clark is simply another option for this team, further proving why the Chargers do not need to add another interior defensive lineman.

 

CJ Okoye

The most notable on this list is CJ Okoye. The story of Okoye is definitely one to know, just take this quote from a previous article written about him and the defensive line group last year.

“The amazing story of C.J. Okoye has been a central narrative for the Chargers this off-season. Okoye was in Nigeria playing basketball and was asked by a random coach to try out for a football camp. With nothing to lose, Okoye took his chance and got connected to NFL Africa. Okoye measured in at 6’6″ and 315lbs at the international combine and demonstrated impressive explosive ability. The Chargers saw his best fit in the interior of the defensive line. With only one off-season for Okoye to catch up with lifetime football players, the odds were not in his favor.

During his first-ever organized football game, Okoye recorded one pressure and one sack. While not anything superb, this is more than anyone expected from someone who is new to the game. Okoye has made his odds to make the Chargers practice squad a lot more interesting.”

An amazing story, athlete, and another year of hard work under Okoye’s belt could really give him a chance to make this team/or spend another year on the practice squad honing his skills. If it isn’t this year, year three could definitely yield real-world results for the former African basketball player.

Does It Hurt to Add Talent?

The short answer is no. The long answer begs a different question, why are you not giving these young guys a chance? By getting a veteran defender, you will be spending unneeded cap space on someone who most likely won’t be much of an upgrade to the young, upcoming players on this team. The Chargers need someone who can be a long-term answer for them at the position, and limiting snaps between all of the young guys listed beforehand seems counterintuitive. Furthermore, the only free agent available as of the time of writing that is worth signing is Calais Campbell. Yes, the 38-year-old Campbell. He still obviously has gas left in the tank and would give the Chargers an actual upgrade.

Beyond the lack of an upgrade you truly will get from spending unneeded cap space on a veteran, when looking at the rest of the current interior defensive line market, it’s pretty devoid. Most of the free agents available are veterans who of course can bring that presence in this very young room, but how much more of a presence are they in comparison to the veterans already in the room? Poona Ford is going into his seventh year in the league. Morgan Fox is going into his eighth year in the league. These guys should know a thing or two about being a veteran leader in the locker room.

I’ll say it one more time. Stop Saying The Chargers need interior defensive linemen.

Watch – Related: Ladd McConkey Film Breakdown

Main Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Nate Gosney

Nate Gosney

Nate Gosney is a 20 year old football nerd, who has been using his smarts to become an NFL Writer since 2022. Having played in high school all four years at various OL positions, but he eventually found his footing as a blocking Tight End. This journey gives Nate an unique perspective. Trench play & tough football is key to him. Furthermore, he was born and raised a Charger fan. This has led to perpetual heartbreak since 2004. Gosney is a Journalism Graduate from Chaffey College, and is now transferring to Cal State San Bernardino.

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