When you look at the best teams in the NFL, you will naturally see teams with good front-office work. Players who are playing much better than the contract is paying them for. This usually comes in the form of draft picks, more specifically hits in the later rounds of the NFL draft. The Chargers have done just that, drafting draft steal, Tarheeb Still.
Tarheeb Still Had His Doubters
Coming into the 2024 NFL draft, Maryland Cornerback, Tarheeb Still was barely on anyone’s radar. He was ranked 260th overall on the 2024 NFL Draft Consensus Board. This would mean he would be a priority undrafted free-agent pickup.
The Chargers used their new pick from a trade-up with the Patriots, for star receiver, Ladd McConkey to select Still in the early fifth round.
This was heavily criticized and seen as a poor selection, as many did not view Still as a draftable player, especially early on day three of the 2024 NFL draft.
He had to prove himself in the off-season, in a training camp battle with another former day three selection.
The Rookie Corner Showed Out As Early as the Offseason
Going into the off-season, he was seen to compete with starting slot cornerback for the Chargers, Ja’Sir Taylor. The former sixth-round selection showed in his two seasons with the team to be a great special teamer who brings some value to the defense.
Taylor was not a good starting slot cornerback but he showed he was able to play at the NFL level in a pinch. Taking Still was thought to be replacing Taylor with another player of the same caliber, which would make little to no sense.
Still had other things to say about that.
A few weeks into training camp, he started to turn heads and show what he had to offer. He was proving new general manager, Joe Hortiz right, strengthening an already strong draft class. He was well worth the fifth-round selection.
ESPN named Tarheeb Still a “Standout Surprise.”
Tarheeb Still’s Season: Before Week 13
The Chargers did not initially start Still as they viewed the more experienced option of Taylor as the right fit for their defense at that time.
Injuries struck starting cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr, and Ja’Sir Taylor early, and eventually Kristian Fulton and depth piece, Deane Leonard. This forced both fifth-round rookie cornerbacks, Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart to start.
The former Maryland Terp had a sack in his first game on Patrick Mahomes. Setting the bar high, he continued to raise it throughout his stretch of starts with the bolts, finding himself his first-ever interception the very next game.
Great play by Chargers Ni Tarheeb Still vs. the Broncos.
Never panics when out of phase.
When the WR turns to get the ball, he punches through the WR's hands, batting the ball away.
— pic.twitter.com/jUZNBljjEl— Cody Alexander (@The_Coach_A) October 18, 2024
He was relied upon to start at slot cornerback initially, but as the aforementioned injuries piled up, he was asked to move to the outside. This did not affect him one bit, continuing his impressive play.
The Day the World Stood Still: The Breakout Game
Fast forward to this last week, Still had one of the greatest cornerback games in recent memory for the Chargers. His 94.3 coverage grade last week ranks as THE BEST coverage game grade out of ANY cornerback the entire season.
Tarheeb Still's 94.3 Coverage Grade last week ranks as THE BEST coverage game grade out of ANY cornerback the entire season.
Chargers found themselves a steal in the fifth round. #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/leD4XkesL4
— Nate Gosney (@NateGosney) December 3, 2024
He earned this grade by intercepting Kirk Cousins not once, but twice. He took one to the house, which was enough to seal the Chargers another victory, strengthening their seeding in the AFC playoff race.
Still currently ranks fourth overall in PFF grade across all cornerbacks, and sixth overall in coverage grade.
A rookie fifth-round selection, who was projected to go undrafted, finds himself starting due to injury. He has sacked Mahomes, intercepted offensive rookie of the year candidate, Bo Nix, switched positions, and continues his success shutting down opposing receivers. What can’t Still do?
The Chargers are the current fifth seed in the AFC, with a 93% chance of making the playoffs. Without the emergence of the rookie, chances are the Chargers would be in a much worse spot.
Main Image: Dale Zanine – USA Today Sports
