LA Chargers: Projecting the 2020 defensive depth chart

Defensive Tackles: Justin Jones, Jerry Tillery, Jordan Elliott, Ndamukong Suh, Damion Square, Cortez Broughton

Unlike the defensive ends, the defensive tackles for the LA Chargers are in need of more revamping. Justin Jones is a pretty safe bet to be back, as well as Jerry Tillery. Past that, there might not be all that much overlap with the 2019 defensive tackles. Brandon Mebane dealt with knee problems in 2019 and he’s getting older. Ultimately, it’s hard to see him not being released.

Jordan Elliott is a tackle out of Missouri that the Chargers could take. Currently, he’s projected in the fourth round to the team in my 2020 mock draft. He’s got great speed and is powerful up the middle. He’s still a sleeper, but had he played at a bigger college program, he’d be more highly regarded with his physicality.

In terms of signings, Damion Square makes sense to bring back. He’s serviceable in terms of his ability to get to the quarterback and defend the run. A bigger signing that could happen is Ndamukong Suh. He’s likely to go another team this offseason, and the Chargers could use his services.

Even with some relative decline last year, he’s still great when it comes to stopping the run. Plus, opposing offensive lines can’t double team Suh to the extent they did in Tampa Bay. Placing him with Bosa and Ingram feels like an awesome fit, like when he played with Aaron Donald on the Rams in 2018.

Tillery really determines what the ceiling is for the interior line in 2020. Should he develop and become more consistent, the possibilities and potential are endless. If he still struggles, it may be more of the same for the defensive line as a whole in 2020.