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Chargers’ eight most intriguing X-factor players in 2019

By Tyler Schoon

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Uchenna Nwosu of Los Angeles Chargers is seen in the tunnel during the NFL International Series match between Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers at Wembley Stadium on October 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Uchenna Nwosu of Los Angeles Chargers is seen in the tunnel during the NFL International Series match between Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers at Wembley Stadium on October 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 15: Cortez Broughton #96 of the Cincinnati Bearcats celebrates after the play in the game against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at Nippert Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 15: Cortez Broughton #96 of the Cincinnati Bearcats celebrates after the play in the game against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at Nippert Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

The Chargers have plenty of exciting players within their roster looking to make an impact this season; who are some of their X-factors?

The Chargers will have obvious, important contributors throughout the 2019 season; established guys like Philip Rivers, Derwin James, and Keenan Allen have defined roles that, with good health, should continue through this season. However, the success of this team also relies on their X-factor players, some of which may make small contributions in a rotation or as a full-time starter for the first time in their career. Who are those players? Let’s take a look at eight of them…

Cortez Broughton, DT

My word. Cincinnati’s Cortez Broughton just taking UCLA’s RG for a brisk walk to the QB. There’s been some Twitter draft buzz about him and I’m finally getting a chance to watch. pic.twitter.com/ncSZcdlk6c

— ryan wilson (@ryanwilsonCBS) April 15, 2019

Brought on to the Chargers with the team’s seventh selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, Broughton has the potential to make an immediate impact. In his final college season, the productive defensive tackle registered a staggering 18.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, five passes defended, and two forced fumbles. No. 91 (96 in college) has a first step that allows him to break the line and more into the backfield quickly, giving him the potential to be a disruptive player like Darius Philon was for the team last season. Though Jerry Tillery is going to get the nod to start as the team’s best pass-rushing defensive tackle, the Chargers would be wise to find a way to get Broughton on the field to get after ball carriers and quarterbacks.

Trevor Williams, CB

TREVOR. WILLIAMS. #SFvsLAC | #FightForEachOther pic.twitter.com/WUUD732NYt

— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) September 30, 2018

Williams was a top-15 corner in the NFL in 2017, working alongside Casey Hayward to create a fantastic No. 1 and No. 2 duo. Though Jason Verrett was expected to return to the lineup following an injured season, Williams should have been given the nod to start. And start he did; however, it became evident that he was not playing at the same level he did just a year prior. Eventually, Williams was placed on injured reserve to finish his season.

The team opted to neither draft nor sign a corner this past offseason, suggesting that they are content with the defensive backfield they currently have. That may have something to do with last year’s eventual starter Michael Davis, but Williams can be an X-factor at corner this year.

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