Maimi Dolphins safety Jevon Holland is one of the biggest names set to hit the open market and could be a target for the Los Angeles Chargers. A second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Oregon product quickly established himself as one of the game’s top safeties. While 2024 admittedly wasn’t his best season, the safety has done more than enough to prove himself as one of the game’s best all-around defenders, capable of stepping up against the run and taking away passing lanes deep downfield.
Safety might not be the sexiest position in the league, but players who can make positive impacts on all three downs are difficult to find. Holland will earn a massive contract in a couple of months, and Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus believes the Chargers make perfect sense for the veteran. However, they won’t be the only team trying to steal Jevon Holland from the Dolphins, as the Baltimore Ravens could also use another safety.
The Chargers also face the difficult task of replacing key secondary players, set to lose five of their top 10 snap contributors. With Derwin James’ success acting as the primary slot defender in 2024, Los Angeles may look to shore up a back end that will be left rather barren, with Alohi Gilman being the only other safety under contract.
Chargers, Ravens Could Steal Jevon Holland From Dolphins
The Los Angeles Chargers are projected to have over $63 million in cap space, but a sizable portion of that could go to retaining their own free agents. As mentioned above, Los Angeles has several impending free agents at key positions and will likely need that money to retain guys like Khalil Mack. However, it will be hard to ignore Jevon Holland, especially if the Dolphins can’t lock him up before free agency. Head coach Jim Harbaugh has an old-school approach to football, and Holland’s style of play could be perfect for his defense.
According to Cameron’s article, the Chargers ranked in the top three for two-high safety coverage in the 2024 season. Needless to say, this type of coverage requires strong safety play, which means Los Angeles should get more out of Holland than just about any other organization. The Chargers play in arguably the league’s hardest division with Patrick Mahomes, Bo Nix, and some of the best coaches in football. This team will need someone who can discourage downfield passing, and Holland is an ideal choice for the job.
Fixing The Secondary
The Baltimore Ravens spent the majority of the 2024 season trying to find an adequate replacement for Geno Stone. While first-round pick Kyle Hamilton continued to establish himself as one of the game’s top safeties, the Ravens struggled to find an adequate starter opposite him. Marcus Williams had a disastrous season, while free agent signee Eddie Jackson had nothing left in his tank. The Ravens love to use multiple safeties, but they didn’t have the personnel to run their ideal scheme for most of the season.
Baltimore’s aggression in stealing Jevon Holland from the Dolphins will likely depend on whether they believe in Ar’Darius Washington. The former undrafted free agent came alive down the stretch, finishing the year with an 80.9 PFF grade, the eighth-best mark out of 98 eligible players. Now set to hit free agency, Washington will be cheaper than Holland but will likely earn a respectable contract on the open market.
If the Ravens think Washington’s production was nothing more than a small-sample fluke, look for them to go after Jevon Holland. However, if they think he can maintain his impressive play in a larger role, he’ll probably re-sign with the club.
Main Photo: Jasen Vinlove – Imagn Images
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