Chargers' defensive renaissance highlighted by standout cornerback PFF grades

The LA Chargers' cornerback rotation in the secondary was a bit of an unknown variable entering the 2024 season. Kristian Fulton was a buy-low free agent defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and general manager Joe Hortiz had high hopes for in a rebound season. But nothing was a certainty.

Coming into the year, there was reason to be skeptical in the tackling aspect based on the 2023 missed tackle figures for Fulton, Ja'Sir Taylor, and Asante Samuel Jr.

That being said, the on-field and statistical performances of both Fulton and Taylor have impressed through the teams' first four games. Fulton specifically has taken a leap from his 2023 campaign now that he's healthy. From year to year, his Pro Football Focus defensive (82.5) and coverage (82.3) scores are up nearly 40 points each.

While it's only a four-game sample size, Fulton is also allowing the lowest opposing quarterback NFL passer rating of his career (67.0). Relative to last season, he's also been a better tackler.

Kristian Fulton is not the only Chargers cornerback thriving

Ja'Sir Taylor has also played pretty well in the slot. Taylor missed Week 4 with a fibula injury, so his stats are counted from Weeks 1-3. Like Fulton, Taylor is on pace for the best PFF defensive (72.9) and coverage (76.4) season grades of his career.

Another positive development for the Wake Forest product is that he has not missed a tackle yet this season. Taylor posted a 23.5% missed tackle rate last season from the slot.

Some of these metrics probably won't withstand the entire season. Expect defenses to eventually test the Chagers' corners both deep and over the middle of the field. But for the moment, it's definite progress for a secondary that struggled last year.

One secondary performance that could stand to improve throughout the rest of the season is that of Asante Samuel Jr. While he's been passable in coverage, he has given up the most yards and receptions between the three starting corners.

The real issue for Samuel is that he's currently on pace for the worst tackling season of his career. It was a better tackling outing against the Chiefs, but he still has a 29.5 PFF tackling grade and a 22.2% missed tackle rate on the season.

If the secondary is going to play to its full potential, it requires Samuel being a better tackler. DC Jesse Minter acknowledged that Samuel has to improve in that capacity prior to the Chiefs game.

So far, it's a promising start for Minter's defense in general. The secondary will look to add to their momentum against Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos following the BYE week.