Chargers depth chart: Projecting the 11 starters on defense
Now that free agency and the draft are over, we take a crack at projecting who will be the starters on defense under new coordinator Chris O'Leary.
The 2026 Chargers defense enters the season with proven veterans, emerging young talent, and continuity under new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary. The unit features a stout defensive line anchored by Dalvin Tomlinson and Teair Tart, a solid edge-rusher trio in Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and first-round pick Akheem Mesidor, and second- and third-level playmakers, including star safety Derwin James Jr. While the regular season is still months away, here is our first projection of what the Week 1 starting defense will look like now that the roster-building process is about complete.
Projected Starting Defense DL : Dalvin Tomlinson DL : Teair Tart Edge : Tuli Tuipulotu Edge : Khalil Mack ILB : Denzel Perryman ILB : Daiyan Henley CB : Tarheeb Still CB : Cam Hart CB : Donte Jackson S : Derwin James Jr. S : Elijah Molden This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Projecting the Chargers 2026 starting defense