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Former Second-Round Pick Named Chargers' Most Promising Building Block of 2024

Extending Asante Samuel Jr. is a major priority for LA in the coming year.

By Vinnie Portell

Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates with cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) and linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (57) after intercepting a pass against the Chicago Bears in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates with cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) and linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (57) after intercepting a pass against the Chicago Bears in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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Chargers fans must have been frustrated with the team’s secondary last season, but the team has made significant moves to improve it this offseason.

But the most important building block going forward could be a returning player.

Bleacher Report named Asante Samuel Jr. as LA’s most crucial building block this season. Retaining Samuel Jr. to an extension could set the framework for a much-improved secondary for years to come.

Chargers Must Extend Samuel Jr.

Samuel Jr.’s contract is up after this season, and it’s hard to find a player on the roster more worthy of an extension.

LA had ugly numbers defending the pass last season, ranked 29th in the NFL in opponent passing yards (249.8 per game), 24th in opponent passing TDs per game (1.5), and 25th in interceptions per game (0.5).

But that wasn’t the fault of Samuel Jr.

The third-year cornerback recorded 63 tackles, a team-leading 13 pass breakups and a pair of interceptions, finishing with a 75.6 coverage grade per Pro Football Focus. 

"Though he didn't perform as well in 2023, Asante Samuel Jr. remains the Chargers' top corner. They shouldn't let the impending free agent walk following the 2024 campaign, either. Samuel has tallied 11-plus pass defenses with two interceptions in each of his three seasons."

- David Kenyon, Bleacher Report

The Chargers also have both starting safeties – Alohi Gilman and Derwin James – returning, along with some impressive offseason additions. 

Kristian Fulton (free agent signing) and rookies Tarheeb Still (5th-round pick out of Maryland), Cam Hart (5th-round pick out of Notre Dame), and Robert Kennedy (Undrafted out of NC State) should make this unit significantly deeper than it was in 2023.

This unit is ranked No. 20 in the NFL by Pro Football Focus, but that will be hard to improve upon if Samuel Jr. isn’t retained. 

"Not much went right for the Chargers in 2023, and it resulted in major changes this offseason. The secondary will get big contributions from rookies, but the team will return Alohi Gilman (89.2 coverage grade in 2023), Asante Samuel Jr. (75.6) and Derwin James. James struggled in 2023, grading below 77.6 for the first time in his career. Expect him to bounce back in 2024."

- Pro Football Focus

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