The Chargers had a solid season in 2018, finishing 12-4. The team was in good shape for the most part, but there were some players that were unable to contribute to the success when needed the most.
Whether it was due to them not performing up to their full standards or their year was cut short to an injury, Los Angeles will need these guys to bounce back this upcoming season.
Here are the four players that will have to step up in 2019.
OT Sam Tevi
Tevi earned the starting right tackle job after the Chargers decided to let go of Joe Barksdale. It’s safe to say that he didn’t fare well in that role. His poor play hurt the team in the huge Week 16 game against the Ravens and in the playoffs against the Patriots. Pro Football Focus gave Tevi a grade of 53.7 for his play in 2018, which ranked below average.
The former Utah product will likely enter the 2019 season as the team’s starter after many expected L.A. to find his replacement in free agency or the draft. Trey Pipkins was selected in the third-round, but he is seen more as a developmental player and the long-term solution at left tackle, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he doesn’t see the field much this upcoming year.
If Tevi is unable to keep quarterback Philip Rivers upright, the Chargers could turn to the highly anticipated Forrest Lamp to fill in. Coach Anthony Lynn said that Lamp will have every opportunity in the world to start at either tackle or guard, so this would be a strong possibility if the poor play from Tevi continues.
G Dan Feeney
After finishing with a strong rookie campaign Feeney experienced a sophomore slump. He had been getting beat on a weekly basis by pass rushers, and the most pressures given up by any guard speaks for itself. Feeney ended up with a poor 45.6 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus.
There’s no denying that the former Indiana product excels in run-blocking to pave the way for running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler, but if he wants to keep his starting job, he will have to improve in the pass protection department going into next season.
CB Trevor Williams
Williams emerged in 2017 after a season-ending injury to Jason Verrett. He was phenomenal, where he started 15 games and posted 54 tackles (46 solo), 13 passes defensed and two interceptions. With high expectations entering 2018, he was unable to match the season prior as it was cut short due to a knee injury.
Williams signed his tender back in April to remain on the team. Him and Michael Davis will compete for the starting job opposite of Casey Hayward, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Williams earn the role given the superiority in coverage.
Los Angeles, who was gashed through the air by the Patriots, will need Williams to step up and return to his 2017 form to prevent these woes from happening again.
LB Denzel Perryman
Perryman’s future with the team was at question entering this offseason after he failed to play a full 16-game season yet again and he was an unresticted free agent. The Chargers elected to bring him back for another two seasons by re-signing him.
Los Angeles also put a big emphasis on the position by signing Thomas Davis and drafting Drue Tranquill and Emeke Egbule to add more ammo to a group that also includes Kyzir White, Jatavis Brown and Uchenna Nwosu.
The decision to bring back Perryman was huge. There’s no denying that when the former Miami product is on the field, the defense plays with a completely different demeanor. Perryman also supplied a strong sense of leadership for the entire team, too.
The defense should be in good shape with the depth that they have, but if Perryman is finally able to play a full slate, it should only help them as they make a deeper run in the playoffs than the previous year.
