Heading into the 2018 season, I’m going to cover one player from the Los Angeles Chargers per article until the first game of the year. Up first, safety Jahleel Addae.
Jahleel Addae was one of the first of many UDFA finds by Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco, having flashed early in the 2013 preseason to eventually find a starting role with the team.
In 2017, he signed a four-year, $22.5 million contract and is slated to be one of the team’s starting safeties through 2020. Despite improving in every year, Addae is probably one of the most underrated weapons on this roster, as he is constantly overshadowed by the elite talent that surrounds him in the secondary.
Let’s take a quick look at his profile and then his stats from last season:
Profile:
- Entering sixth year with the Los Angeles Chargers
- Former 2013 undrafted free agent
- 2018 cap number from Spotrac: $5.5 million
2017 Stats
- 16 games played
- 96 combined tackles
- Seven passes defended
This was far and away the best season Addae has had since joining the team, playing a full 16 games and having almost double as many tackles as his next best year. One of the things he improved on the most was his tackling.
“Hitman” for years had a problem with hurting himself, other players and his own teammates by leading with his helmet. In 2017, it really looks like Addae comfortably learned to tackle under Gus Bradley, and had a career year (83.4 grade per Pro Football Focus Edge).
Shot 7 - #Chargers safeties are constantly attacking. Jahleel Addae more in the box, Tre Boston is the post player in Cover 3 scheme pic.twitter.com/rbkIFyDdsc
— Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) September 28, 2017
His signature game came against the New England Patriots, being an integral part of the defense that held tight end Rob Gronkowski to “only” five catches for 57 yards. His nine combined tackles were his second-highest of the season.
2018 Projection: 75 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 8 passes defended
I’m not giving him a lower stat line because I don’t believe in his tackling ability, but rather because this team added players that may take away from his “in the box” role. Derwin James is going to take a lot of those snaps near the line of scrimmage away from Addae, and the presence of guys like Kyzir White and Uchenna Nwosu may allow the sixth-year safety play back and be a ballhawk.
Next: Los Angeles Chargers Saturday Mailbag, May 12
That being said, this defense is so diverse and, dare I say, “fun” that Bradley will undoubtedly let Addae wear many hats, something he has shown to excel at. Do you think Addae should take a step back for the more talented James, a rookie, or should the veteran be allowed to continue to excel and develop in his role as he did in 2017? Sound off below.