The Chargers are just days away from their season opener against the Dolphins
The positions are set after finalizing their 53-man roster, but the team has yet to release the official depth chart.
Buy Chargers TicketsSo let’s dive into how the defensive side of the ball could shape up heading into the 2023 season, highlighting who is likely to start and serve as depth pieces behind them.
Defensive line
| Starter | Backup | Reserve | |
| DT | Sebastian Joseph-Day | Christopher Hinton | |
| NT | Austin Johnson | Nick Williams | |
| DE | Morgan Fox | Scott Matlock |
Johnson will start the season on the active roster after fracturing his left knee and injuring his MCL, while Otito Ogbonnia is on the reserve/PUP list. It remains to be seen if Johnson will be a full-go. If not, Williams, Hinton and Matlock should see split-up snaps.
Edge defender
| Starter | Backup | Reserve | |
| EDGE1 | Joey Bosa | Tuli Tuipulotu | |
| EDGE2 | Khalil Mack | Chris Rumph II |
Bosa and Mack will be the starters. There is plenty of excitement around that tandem after Bosa missed most of the 2022 season with a groin injury. Tuipulotu should see the field in third-down situations. Rumph will be mixed in too, but he will primarily be a special teamer.
Inside Linebacker
| Starter | Backup | Reserve | |
| ILB1 | Eric Kendricks | Tanner Muse | Amen Ogbongbemiga |
| ILB2 | Kenneth Murray | Daiyan Henley | Nick Niemann |
Kendricks and Murray are the starters in the middle of the defense. As for the rest of the group, they will be making their money on special teams.
Cornerback
| Starter | Backup | |
| CB1 | J.C. Jackson | Deane Leonard |
| CB2 | Michael Davis | |
| Nickel | Asante Samuel Jr. | Ja’Sir Taylor |
The biggest question that still looms is whether or not Jackson will be ready for Week 1. Luckily, the Chargers have the depth regardless of the outcome. If Jackson is not ready, Samuel will start on the outside opposite Davis with Taylor in the slot. If Jackson is ready, Samuel was the slot corner battle over Taylor and would start there with Jackson and Davis on the outside.
Safety
| Starter | Backup | Reserve | |
| FS | Alohi Gilman | JT Woods | AJ Finley |
| SS | Derwin James | Raheem Layne |
James and Gilman are the starting safeties. Woods will be the third safety behind them. When James is playing “Star” or “Money” in sub packages, a safety must come on to replace him in the deep part of the field, which will be Woods. He flashed in the summer, showing off his coverage skills and improvement as a tackler. Can it materialize when the games matter?
