LA Chargers: Players that must perform better after the bye week

Oct 20, 2020

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 12: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints makes catch over Rayshawn Jenkins #23 of the Los Angeles Chargers during their NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 12, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) – LA Chargers /

4. Nasir Adderley and Rayshawn Jenkins

We knew that Derwin James’s season-ending injury was going to be a huge blow to the LA Chargers’ defense but we were hopeful that the team would still be average at-worst at the safety position.

Rayshawn Jenkins had a solid season last year after filling in for James while Nasir Adderley was entering his second season after being getting hurt last season and not getting a chance to prove himself. Adderley was a second-rounder as well.

They have not been that good this season. In fact, while Casey Hayward is not playing like his usual self and while Chris Harris is hurt, a lot of the Chargers’ secondary problems this year also stems from not having great safeties.

Jenkins and Adderley have underwhelmed. There is no way around it.

Jenkins has a 51.0 overall defensive grade while Adderley has a 50.2 — Jenkins has a 44.5 coverage grade while Adderley has a 51.2.

The Chargers absolutely need these two to learn to play together and improve their play. Desmond King is helping at slot corner with Harris out and that has not been great, and with Hayward not playing up to his talent, the safeties need to be better to help bail him out.

They simply have not lived up to that task.