Numerous Chargers players stepped up and took strides throughout the season.
But it was there was one defensive name in particular that stood out the most in 2024.
Pro Football Focus' Thomas Valentine dove into all 32 teams and picked out one player who was the most improved from each squad. Safety Elijah Molden, who was acquired by trade a little over a week before the start of the regular season, got the nod for the Bolts.
Molden went from being added before the season to a valuable member of the secondary, playing in 15 games (12 starts) and nabbing three interceptions while holding it down on the back end of a defense that led the league in points allowed per game (17.7).
Valentine wrote:
Elijah Molden's season ended prematurely with a broken fibula, but the former Titans' defensive back was excellent for the Chargers in 15 games and 12 starts this season, helping Jim Harbaugh's defense to become one of the best units in the NFL in just one season. Molden's 75.6 grade was a clear career-high, and the former third-round pick was as dependable as they come in the secondary.
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Check out the best shots from the Chargers Wild Card matchup against the Texans!
Molden also had 75 total tackles (third-most on team), seven passes defensed and two fumble recoveries while finishing tied for the third-most defensive snaps played with 760.
He had the best season of his pro career before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 17 and, as Valentine noted, was stellar in coverage as well.
Valentine wrote:
Spending the majority of his time at safety, Molden allowed just 173 yards in coverage while picking off a career-high three passes and not allowing a single touchdown on 18 of 27 catches. He allowed just a 44.8 passer rating as well, the second-lowest in the NFL. A big step forward for Molden, and he could be a likely contributor for them once again in 2025.
Molden, who is slated to be among the 30 Chargers free agents, said during locker room cleanout this was the most he's enjoyed football in a long time — and it was evident in his improved play on the field.
"It was huge. I had a sense of confidence that I knew I was capable of having the performance I had. And I can be so much better," Molden said. "I pride myself on getting better every year. Barring injuries in the past, I've done that."
Molden later added: "This is the most fun year playing football since my freshman year of high school when my older brother was on varsity."
