LA Chargers: Five bold player predictions for the 2020 season

Nasir Adderley replaces Rayshawn Jenkins at free safety.

Rayshawn Jenkins will likely start the season at free safety next to Derwin James at strong safety. Whether that setup lasts the whole season though is debatable. The Chargers did use a high pick on Nasir Adderley last year and there will be an urge to get him on the field this year after he missed all of his rookie season.

Jenkins was alright when he played last year, but he’s still a below-average tackler and mediocre in man coverage. If Adderley shows up to training camp ready to go, it wouldn’t surprise me if he beats out Jenkins for the job a few weeks into the season.

Perhaps then Jenkins would slide over to a dimebacker type role. It’s hard to say exactly where he would play in the event of being usurped by Adderley. Desmond King’s somewhat undefined role plays into that as well.

2020 is also the last year of Jenkins’ rookie deal. As of now, he’s probably not too likely to be re-signed with all the other talent the Chargers have to put an emphasis on in free agency next year. With Adderley under contract for the next three years, it would make sense to have him earn the lead role going forward if he shows he’s ready.

Adderley had a 90.3 coverage grade in his last college season and allowed a 1.3 passer rating. Not a typo! The Chargers need to get him on the field, and he’ll overtake Jenkins at some point in the season if given the chance.