The Los Angeles Chargers are attempting to build on the success they saw in the first year of the Jim Harbaugh-led regime, in which they went 11-6 just a year after an atrocious 2023 season. ESPN’s Ben Solak attempted to dissect what the team must do to fix their roster ahead of the season, particularly in the fast-approaching NFL draft.
“The Chargers were one of the losers in free agency,” Solak starts. He named several positions in which they whiffed on so far in the offseason. He started with pass catcher, both tight end and wide receivers, but also mentioned the need for an edge rusher to replace Joey Bosa, but he also mentioned what he called the Chargers outstanding need, defensive tackle.
Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Line Needs
“The only outstanding need for the Chargers is at defensive tackle, where last year’s top two snap getters — Poona Ford and Morgan Fox — both left in free agency. The Chargers deployed a heavy rotation in 2024 and will invariably do so again, so they should focus on bigger needs earlier while adding to the rotation when the board falls their way. Tackles in Jesse Minter’s defense must be highly versatile — able to line up at different positions and play multiple techniques.”
Losing Ford and Fox accounts for nearly 1200 snaps for the team and will now be forced to rely on Otito Ogbonnia, sophomore Justin Eboigbe, and two less-than-seasoned free agent additions in Da’Shawn Hand and Naquan Jones. Those four played a collective 1354 snaps last season.
“For their needs, I like Joshua Farmer (Florida State) on Day 2 and Aeneas Peebles (Virginia Tech) on Day 3,” Solak continued.
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Joshua Farmer Scouting Report:
HT: 6′3″ | WT: 305 | AGE: 22.27 | Grade: 3rd Round
Joshua Farmer presents a profile of a powerful and impactful lineman. He demonstrates the ability to deliver a decisive blow at the point of contact, effectively disengaging with active hands and exhibiting impressive short-area quickness. In run defense, Farmer can disrupt blocking schemes, though his base strength can be compromised when he loses leverage, indicating an area for development in block recognition. While Farmer’s film occasionally shows periods of less consistent activity, his natural power allows him to be a disruptive force as a two-gapping defender, and he displays promising pass-rushing potential. He projects as a rotational contributor early in his career, with the potential to evolve into a full-time starter.
| year | school | gp | gs | tkls | tfl | sack | ff | pd | int |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Florida State | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Florida State | 13 | 0 | 15 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Florida State | 13 | 13 | 32 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | Florida State | 12 | 12 | 32 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 42 | 25 | 80 | 21.0 | 11.0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Aeneas Peebles Scouting Report
HT: 6′1″| WT: 282| AGE: 23.64 | Grade 4th Round
Aeneas Peebles demonstrates promise as a pass rusher, exhibiting notable first-step quickness and relentless energy, consistently competing to disrupt backfield actions. He maintains balance through contact, though he lacks the mass, length, and anchoring ability typically preferred by NFL teams, particularly against the run. Overall, Peebles possesses an unconventional physical profile, which presents inherent challenges for his transition to the NFL. However, he is a high-motor pass rusher with significant explosiveness and a diverse array of techniques to generate disruption. He projects as a rotational backup, specializing as a penetrating one-gap rusher in sub-package situations.
| year | school | gp | gs | tkls | tfl | sack | ff | pd | int |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Duke | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | Duke | 12 | 2 | 26 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Duke | 13 | 0 | 15 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | Duke | 13 | 1 | 43 | 9.5 | 5.0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | Virginia Tech | 12 | 12 | 31 | 6.5 | 3.0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 60 | 15 | 118 | 21.0 | 11.5 | 2 | 6 | 0 |