The Chargers unfortunately will not be going undefeated this offseason after dropping their third preseason game 23-22 to the Rams inside SoFi Stadium.
Let’s go ahead and take a look at the best and worst grades given by Pro Football Focus to the Chargers from this weekend.
Offense (min. 10 snaps)
Best
WR Tre’ Harris – 85.3
WR Ladd McConkey – 83.5
QB Trey Lance – 80.6
QB Justin Herbert – 77.5
WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith – 75.7
This is exactly what you want to see if you’re a Chargers fan when it comes to the
passing game. Herbert and Lance amongst the top five along with McConkey, Harris, and KLS. The rookie wideouts balled out and Ladd had a strong 17-yard reception on the opening drive that showed he’s ready to pick up right where he left off in 2024. Both Harris and KLS each had a reception go for over 30 yards that helped set up scoring drives for the Chargers.
Worst
OG Branson Taylor – 26.3
WR Dalevon Campbell – 32.3
OG Karsen Barnhart – 33.2
OT Corey Stewart – 47.2
RB Kimani Vidal – 51.7
The backup interior blockers are not having a fun time this preseason. Barnhart posted a literal 0.0 pass block grade against the Rams. Taylor wasn’t much better at 0.9. You RARELY see grades that low for any player in any regard and the Chargers had two of them in this one game. That’s rough.
Vidal was the lowest-graded running back in a game he needed to perform well in to stave off the Raheim Sanders hype.
Defense
Best
S Tony Jefferson – 86.2
CB Myles Purchase – 71.3
LB Troy Dye – 71.3
CB Ja’Sir Taylor – 70.0
LB Kana’i Mauga – 69.9
Jefferson continues to be an All-Pro during the preseason for the Chargers. He was far-and-away the best defender on the field against the Rams. Taylor’s grade is an odd one to me because it looked like he was the culprit letting up a 38-yard touchdown pass but this grade tells me he was not the guy responsible for it or else it wouldn’t be this high.
Worst
S Jaylen Jones – 31.9
LB Junior Colson – 34.5
DT Naquan Jones – 41.7
EDGE Gamron Randolph – 46.5
EDGE Kylan Guidry – 53.8
Colson continuing to be a poorly-graded player most weeks — in the preseason or regular season — is starting to become worrisome. He was supposed to be ready-made for Jesse Minter’s defense for the Chargers and for whatever reason it doesn’t seem like it’s only injuries keeping him from performing well.
