The Los Angeles Chargers look to build on last season’s strong performance in coverage, having allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards in 2024. The cornerback position will look different, with Asante Samuel Jr. now a free agent and Kristian Fulton joining the Kansas City Chiefs. Therefore, the Chargers must count on veteran offseason acquisition Donte Jackson, along with two second-year playmakers, including a late-round steal.
Los Angeles Chargers’ fifth-round pick had a great rookie season
After missing the first three games of his rookie season with a hip injury, Tarheeb Still played a key defensive role following Asante Samuel Jr’s injury. He alternated between the outside and the slot while leading the team in interceptions and pass deflections and finishing seventh in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Still recorded 62 tackles, 0.5 sacks, four interceptions, one pick-six, and ten pass deflections, allowing 563 passing yards, four touchdowns, and an 82.3 passer rating in 14 games and 12 starts.
He looks to carry his momentum all the way into his second season and first year as the full-time starter.
Los Angeles Chargers’ 2024 draft steal named a breakout candidate by The Athletic
The Athletic had every writer who covers an NFL team list their breakout candidate for the 2025 season. Daniel Popper named Tarheeb Still for the Los Angeles Chargers. Popper points to Still establishing himself as an impactful starter, highlighting his instincts, ball skills, and his fit in Jesse Minter’s defensive scheme.
“Still was a fifth-round pick in 2024, and he turned into one of the steals of the draft. A season-ending injury for Asante Samuel Jr. cleared an opportunity for Still, who quickly established himself as an impact starter and finished with four interceptions,” Popper said. “He has tremendous instincts in zone coverage and natural ball skills, which make him a perfect fit in defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s scheme. Still is capable of putting up big production and that could shift him into the national spotlight in 2025.”
Tarheeb Still has learned a lot from the veterans
“Staying ready,” Still told Rich Eisen. “Knowing it’s a long season, there’s a lot of games, a lot of things can happen.
“Really, just being ready for the opportunities there and then maximizing those opportunities because you never know what could happen. You never know how the season is going to go, you never know what role you’re going to get shifted into.”
