With the Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive line being weak, fans expected free agency to be exciting and filled with large additions. However, fans need to remember how great the low-key signings were for the Chargers just a season ago.
Guys like Poona Ford, Kristian Fulton, and Elijah Molden were gambles who earned a pay raise after their first year with the Chargers. That naturally begs the question, who is a candidate to earn a pay raise this year?
Under-the-Radar Chargers Free Agent Signee In Line For Major Impact on 2025 Season
On March 13, 2025, the Chargers signed Naquan Jones to a one-year, $1,810,000 contract in hopes for him would bolster the defensive line and its depth. As an under-the-radar signee, expectations for Jones are currently low. However, if the Chargers can continue their trend of taking in reclamation projects and turning them into capable starters, Jones would be the first on the list as the most likely success story.
Who Else Is In The Room?
On paper, a low-end contract like the one Jones signed is a sign that he will be placed as a rotational, depth option. Especially considering the Chargers’ defensive line room consists of Teair Tart, Naquan Jones, Dashawn Hand, Justin Eboigbe, Otito Ogbonnia, Scott Matlock, and Christopher Hinton. Just by looking at the room, you can argue that they all have a chance to get significant playing time.
As it currently stands, training camp and off-season practices will be crucial to see the pecking order between the group, but a rotation/game-by-game basis of snaps will be the likely outcome. However, once given a chance, I believe Tart and Jones are the easy candidates to become the true starters for this team, even if there is still a strong rotation happening.
Why Naquan Jones Will Be An Impact Starter On The Interior
Naquan Jones, at this point in his career, has not been more than a rotational pass-rushing three technique that has given sparks to the two teams he’s been a part of: the Tennessee Titans and the Arizona Cardinals.
Last season with the Arizona Cardinals, he was described by Cardinals Insider, Kyle Odegard as “a very pleasant surprise for the Cardinals last season, arguably showing the most pass-rush juice of anyone on their defensive interior. A nice addition as a rotation piece.”
With 24 career pressures, expecting Jones to have that much and more in a single season may be a stretch, but if there were to be any team to get this production out of him, it would be the Chargers. The new Chargers defensive line addition had a career-best PFF graded season with a 63.2 Defense grade, playing in the Cardinals scheme, which allowed him to hone in on being a pass rusher.
The Chargers are familiar with new NT Naquan Jones pic.twitter.com/LGRwjW7cx6
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) March 13, 2025
Speaking of, his 4.7% pass rush productivity score was ranked 48th in the league last season across all interior defenders with the same or more snaps than Jones. This was tied with other Chargers defensive line role players, Tart and Morgan Fox, last season.
While Jones is not on the same tier of the top-end talents on the defensive line, he is capable of rushing the passer at a starting level, which should allow him to start across from Tart, who can be both a run stuffer and a pass rusher. It should be noted that the two also played together in Tenessee, allowing for an easy connection on stunts and twists.
2025 Season Outlook
The Chargers should most definitely be interested in interior defensive linemen in the draft, so they do not have to put this much pressure on a guy like Jones, but nothing is guaranteed. Just look at the way they handled Center last season.
If the Chargers do not end up drafting a starting-caliber defensive linemen and go all in with the room as it is currently, Jones will have to step up and become the pass-rushing specialist he has shown flashes of being. He is currently playing a pivotal role in the Chargers’ 2025 season and its outlook.
Main Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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