Los Angeles Chargers

Spread Option — 11-on-11. The QB is a runner.
Team fit 83.7 B+ · Read the full guide →

4-3 Attack — One-gap penetration. Rush four, man behind it.
Team fit 85.2 A−

A middle-of-the-league roster with specific, nameable strengths and one problem it cannot hide. The face of it is Derwin James Jr (SS, 93), and after him the defense falls off a cliff — the next-best defender is Khalil Mack (86).

Reality check: the Chargers are 0-6 — their first 0-6 start since 2000 — with Herbert healthy and playing. The line in front of him has been wiped out by injuries, he has taken 21 sacks against 8 interceptions, and the offense ranks 30th. The game sees a playoff roster; reality sees a crime scene at offensive tackle.

Ladd McConkey (WR, 83) is the headliner. 94 acceleration — zero to full speed in a blink — the first three steps are already gone; 92 speed — real speed that has to be accounted for. He is the first name in the opponent's meeting room, and the ratings say that is correct.

Justin Herbert (82) at quarterback is serviceable rather than special; the stars around him are asked to make him right.

Derwin James Jr (SS, 93) sets the terms. 92 hit power — arrives with bad intentions — ball carriers remember him; 90 speed — real speed that has to be accounted for. Build a game plan against this defense and his name is where the marker runs out.

It is a one-man headline, though — the next-best defender is Khalil Mack (86), and offenses that survive the star find a much more ordinary unit behind him. The back end (81.8 average) is the strength and the front (78.0) is ordinary — this defense wins by making quarterbacks hold the ball, then covering long enough for average rushers to arrive.

Cameron Dicker (80) kicks — 95 leg, 91 accuracy. JK Scott (81) punts — 95 leg, 84 accuracy. The return game has a genuine weapon: Brenen Thompson (92 return, 97 speed).

Offense: Brenen Thompson (WR, 72 OVR). Read the ratings page twice: the overall says 72, the speed says 97. Overall is about the whole job; that speed is about one job, and he can already do that one as well as most starters.

Defense: Deane Leonard (CB, 67 OVR) — a 92 speed buried at 67 overall. Speed is the one trait that plays at any overall — it travels to any package, any formation, any Sunday.