The Chargers lost cornerback Benjamin St-Juste to free agency. However, over the past two years, they have done as well as any team in the league at getting solid production from overlooked or low-drafted defensive backs. With Chris O’Leary stepping in as defensive coordinator, will Joe Hortiz lean on his draft approach again, or look to free agency for a short-term addition that can be developed into something more with the help of O’Leary and Steve Clinkscale?
L'Jarius Sneed or Trevon Diggs could be cheap, high-potential options for the Chargers
If Hortiz looks to the current free agent market for more affordable options, two names stand out: L’Jarius Sneed and Trevon Diggs. They are very different players. One offers big-play potential with real downside, while the other provides more stability without much home-run upside. Both are also coming off disappointing seasons relative to expectations, with Diggs returning from a torn ACL and Sneed dealing with injuries during his time with the Tennessee Titans after leaving the Kansas City Chiefs.
Neither Sneed nor Diggs is a bottom-tier corner. Both have shown high ceilings, but both come with risk. At the right price, likely somewhere north of $7 million, either could provide value to a Chargers defense that appears slightly weaker than it did at the start of free agency, most notably after the departure of Odafe Oweh.
Sneed offers a level of reliability on the outside that a late-round rookie may not be able to match right away. At minimum, bringing in a veteran like Sneed to a room that includes Donte Jackson and younger players like Still and Hart would help stabilize the group and support any incoming draft pick. There is no such thing as too many defensive backs, especially for a team that has dealt with its share of injuries.
Diggs is a more volatile option. Chargers fans have seen the downside, but the interception upside is still real. A ballhawk with the right coaching could become a much more complete player. With someone like Steve Clinkscale working with him, there is at least a path to improving his consistency while maintaining his playmaking ability. Expecting him to become a top-tier corner again may be unrealistic, but he could still be a productive addition in the right role.
Whatever direction Hortiz chooses, the cornerback room needs help. With the losses of both St-Juste and Oweh, the pressure on that unit only increases. Whether through the draft or a value signing in free agency, players like Trevon Diggs and L’Jarius Sneed could offer meaningful support heading into the 2026 season.