Chargers: Los Angeles’ top 5 players under 25 years old
No. 1: Chargers EDGE Joey Bosa
Joey Bosa actually just turned 25 years old this week, so happy birthday to the big bear! Perhaps the Chargers could give him the birthday gift of matching that contract extension for Cleveland Browns EDGE Myles Garrett.
Los Angeles Chargers
In all seriousness, Bosa is the best player on the Chargers and he absolutely needs to be extended. Bosa’s pass-rush win rate has been insane over his career, particularly over the last two years. Garrett stands in second place in that time at 24 percent, per Pro Football Focus, while Bosa leads the league at 25 percent.
Durability was a question for Bosa after his foot injury caused him to miss about half of the 2018 season, which is why it was a relief that he was able to play all 16 games in 2019. It was at an absolutely dominant level, too. He finished the year with 12 sacks, 72 tackles, 17 QB hits, 43 hurries, and 49 run stops.
What’s really interesting in Bosa’s game is his combination of power and his ability to stabilize. He can rush the passer with such an incredible amount of force and speed while maintaining great speed and direction. There are not many defensive ends who have the level of balance he does.
What’s held Bosa back his whole career is the fact Los Angeles hasn’t gotten him some good interior-line pressure. Perhaps we’ll see a more unleashed Bosa with the addition of defensive tackle Linval Joseph, but that’s probably a wait and see at this point. At the very least, he’ll probably be more effective than former Chargers defensive tackle Brandon Mebane. It’s just fun to imagine what Bosa and fellow EDGE Melvin Ingram could do with an elite defensive tackle.
Anyway, the Chargers should give Bosa a blank check. Give him the kind of contract Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes received.
I say that only half-jokingly. The Chargers cannot let their best player walk.
Next. How the Myles Garrett contract affects Joey Bosa and the Chargers
Desmond King and Mike Williams crack the honorable mentions with chances to improve greatly with a good season in 2019. Hunter Henry, Drue Tranquill, and Austin Ekeler make up the good players in the top five, while Bosa and Derwin James rank among the elite in the NFL at their positions.
Which under-25 years-old Chargers would make up your top five? Let me know in the comments below!