The Los Angeles Chargers boast the most star-studded defense in the league
By Faustino Felix
Since 2017, no team has more players selected for the Pro Bowl and named to the All-Pro team on their roster than the Los Angeles Chargers.
We have known for awhile that the Chargers have one of the best defenses in the league. And for the past two seasons, the Chargers’ defenders have been rewarded for their individual exploits.
However, it does not come as a surprise to see this, as many of the league’s biggest stars on defense play in Dignity Health Sports Park (the stadium formerly known as StubHub Center).
This was first pointed out by @Zay_408 on Twitter.
Defenses with players to make Pro Bowl/All-Pro since 2017
Chargers 7Joey Bosa DEMelvin Ingram DEThomas Davis LBCasey Hayward CBDesmond King CBAdrian Phillips DBDerwin James S
Jaguars 5Yannick Ngakoue DECalais Campbell DETelvin Smith LBJalen Ramsey CBAJ Bouye CB
— Král Zay (@Zay_408) June 16, 2019
Trailing the Chargers are the Minnesota Vikings with six, and the Jacksonville Jaguars with five. This is one of the reasons why some predict the Chargers defense to be the best in the league in 2019.
In 2017, six Chargers were selected for the Pro Bowl, second in the AFC after the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 10 selections. Three of those six selections play on defense. Joey Bosa and Casey Hayward got selected to the Pro Bowl, while Melvin Ingram was named as an alternate, replacing none other than Bosa himself who was nursing a finger injury. Hayward was also on the second team All-Pro.
On 2018, the Bolts were again the second team with the most selections in the AFC with seven, again after the Steelers who had eight. This time, it was Derwin James and Ingram who earned a spot on the AFC’s Pro Bowl defense. Adrian Philips was also a Pro Bowler, selected on special teams.
The 2018 All-Pro Team had an important contribution from the Chargers. James was one of the three safeties selected to the All-Pro first team, while Desmond King was selected to the first team as well as a defensive back, for his role as one of the best (if not the best) slot corners in the league. Phillips earned a place on special teams as well.
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James and King made it onto the second team on different positions as well, as a defensive back and punt returner respectively. That highlights the versatility both players possess.
James can line up anywhere in the formation, including the defensive line. King became the punt returner the Chargers have been looking for and played amazing in his role on defense.
Thomas Davis Sr. was added this offseason, and his veteran presence can be great for a young but promising linebacker corps. He made his third Pro Bowl as an alternate in 2017, while being a member of the Carolina Panthers.
This star-studded defense was bolstered with the addition of Jerry Tillery and Nasir Adderley, who can be immediate contributors.
Chargers fans already have enough reasons to get excited about the upcoming season, and this only reinforces the idea that this is a Super Bowl-caliber team. If they stay healthy, this defense has the potential to dominate the league in a historic way.