Despite being hampered by injuries this season, the Chargers still possess one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. While there are players that had high expectations heading into the year, there were a few that weren’t talked about as much and have exceeded many people’s expectations.
With that, here are three Chargers players that have been good in a surprising manner in 2019.
C Scott Quessenberry
Starting center Mike Pouncey was a hit with a season-ending injury in October, which forced the Chargers to turn to the former UCLA product to fill the void.
Quessenberry, the La Costa native, grew up as a Chargers fan. He wears the number that former Charger great Nick Hardwick wore in No. 61 in hopes to have a big impact on the team that he’s always supported.
In five games played, he’s made an impact on the offensive side of the ball that many may have not been expecting from him when filling in for a four-time Pro Bowler.
But you can tell that the second-year player has used that time learning from one of the best at the center position.
Quessenberry has kept pressure away from quarterback Philip Rivers on the inside by using his high football IQ to recognize blitzes and execute his blocks, along with opening up running lanes for running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler.
Pouncey is slated to become a free agent after the 2020 season, which means that if the Chargers feel like they have something in Quessenberry, they could move on from Pouncey and make Quessenberry the long-term center.
FS Rayshawn Jenkins
The Chargers had plans of making rookie Nasir Adderley their permanent free safety, but those plans were detierotaed after Adderley dealt with a hamstring injury all season, eventually landing him on the injured reserve.
Jenkins, who never got his opportunity the past two seasons, finally was given that after the release of Jahleel Addae and injury to Adderley.
Jenkins, who many fans wanted to be moved back to the strong safety despite all the injuries, has proven his worth at the single-high role. The former Miami product has snagged three interceptions on the season.
Along with showing his skills in coverage, Jenkins has been an absolute hammer in the run defense department, which has been a struggle at the position in recent years, amassing 43 tackles and two tackles for loss.
DT Damion Square
In need of shoring up the interior part of the defensive line before the preseason activities started, the Chargers elected to re-sign Square in May.
Overshadowed by defensive tackles Brandon Mebane, Justin Jones and Jerry Tillery, Square had not been talked about as much of a difference-maker, but instead was viewed as just a rotational piece. After injuries hit Mebane and Jones, Square began to make his mark as the team’s best defensive tackle.
Whether it’s getting after the quarterback, or blowing up ball carriers in the backfield, Square’s presence has been evident. His dominance has been a mixture of quickness off the line of scrimmage and finesse with his rush moves.
Last year, it was Darius Philon who was the unsung hero in the trenches, but this year it’s been Square, who continues to make his mark on the defensive side of the ball on a weekly basis.
