Welcome to Part 7 of our 2024 positional recaps, a series that will run through the next few weeks and highlight 11 Chargers position groups. We'll focus on key stats, memorable moments and look to what lies ahead in 2025.
It's hard to tell the story of the Chargers cornerback room in 2024 without starting with a pair of rookie draft picks.
Tarheeb Still was the No. 137 overall pick while Cam Hart went three spots later in the 2024 NFL Draft. By the end of the season, both had filled in major roles for the unit.
After seeing little to no action on the defensive side of the ball to start the season, Still and Hart were relied upon heavily following the bye in Week 6.
And the pair of rookie corners responded in a big way by taking advantage of the opportunity and running with it.
"I think me and Cam just came in hungry," Still said after the season. "We were trying to go out there and grind, earn a role on the team, help contribute to us winning."
He later added: "It's a testament to how hard we worked, how much work we put in and how much guys bought in to what we were doing."
Both Still and Hart finished the season in the top 10 of passer rating against and run defense grade among rookie cornerbacks with at least 300 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Still also ranked in the top five in defense (73.7) and coverage (73.3) in the same category, as he also led the Chargers in interceptions.
They helped the unit in a big way as the Week 1 starting unit of Kristian Fulton, Asante Samuel, Jr. and Ja’Sir Taylor battled through injuries during the season.
Samuel was placed on Injured Reserve ahead of Week 6 and did not return the rest of the year, while Taylor missed some time in the first half of the season.
Fulton, who was signed in free agency, played the second-most defensive snaps among the cornerbacks, as he brought a veteran presence and started the most games among the position.
Even with all the moving pieces, the group was integral to finishing with the fewest points allowed in the NFL.
"I think we performed well in the cornerback room," Fulton said. "A lot of moving parts, just on the back end overall, but the standard never changed.
"Nobody wavered and guys gave it their all every week just trying to make sure we held up to the standard we set in OTAs," Fulton added.
The position also saw some action from Deane Leonard, Eli Apple and Dicaprio Bootle, who stepped in relief at various points.
Notable Number
Still's ball skills he showed at Maryland translated in a big way during his rookie season.
The cornerback's four interceptions were tied for the second-most among all rookies, a mark he shared with three others.
It was the most interceptions by a Chargers rookie since 1985, when John Hendy also recorded four.
Memorable Moment
Still's debut season was a memorable one, but no game was more than his breakout performance in Atlanta.
Coming off a loss on a short week, Still propelled the Chargers to a win against the Falcons, picking off Kirk Cousins twice as well as breaking up three passes.
One of those interceptions? The first pick-6 by a Chargers rookie in seven years.
On a fourth-and 5, the Cousins dropped back to pass and let go of a ball towards the right side of the field.
Still, however, was ready, perfectly jumping the route and intercepting the ball with nothing but green grass in front of him for a 61-yard touchdown.
The play would give the Bolts the lead and ultimately led to a win as his play proved to be the difference.
Still became the second rookie in Bolts history to record a multi-interception game and return one for a touchdown, joining Hendy, who did so in Week 13 of the 1985 season against Buffalo.
Still also became just the third Day 3 draft pick to record multiple interceptions and a pick-6 in the same game as a rookie in over 20 seasons.
He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts, becoming just the fourth rookie since 2020 to have a game with multiple interceptions and a pick-six.
"He's just been locked in," Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said. "As cool as the other side of the pillow, as Stuart Scott used to say."
Regular-Season Stats
Tarheeb Still
Recorded 62 total tackles (45 solo), four interceptions, 10 passes defended, one tackle for loss, 0.5 sacks; appeared in 14 games (12 starts) and played 783 defensive snaps (71.6 percent)
Kristian Fulton
Recorded 51 total tackles (39 solo), one interception, seven passes defended, three tackles for loss; appeared in 15 games (14 starts) and played 760 defensive snaps (69.5 percent)
Cam Hart
Recorded 37 total tackles (28 solo), seven passes defended, 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two quarterback hits; appeared in 14 games (six starts) and played 458 defensive snaps (41.5 percent)
Ja'Sir Taylor
Recorded 22 total tackles (12 solo), five passes defended, one tackle for loss, one fumble recovery, one quarterback hit; appeared in 15 games (two starts) and played 352 defensive snaps (32.2 percent)
Asante Samuel, Jr.
Recorded 13 total tackles (11 solo), two passes defended; appeared in four games (four starts) and played 234 defensive snaps (21.4 percent)
Deane Leonard
Recorded eight total tackles (six solo), three passes defended, one tackle for loss; appeared in 10 and played 71 defensive snaps (61.5 percent)
Eli Apple
Recorded two total tackles (two solo), one pass defended; appeared in four games and played 47 defensive snaps (4.3 percent)
Dicaprio Bootle
Recorded three total tackles (two solo); appeared in six games and played four defensive snaps (0.4 percent)
1 Question for 2025
How will the Bolts cornerback room shape up around Still and Hart?
The pair Chargers of fifth-round picks headline the position heading into 2025, as General Manager Joe Hortiz and Harbaugh look to build Version 2.0 this offseason.
The pair of rookie corners impressed the veterans on the squad with their approach in Year 1, creating an excitement for what lies ahead for the two.
"A lot of respect to those two rookies. Cam and Tarheeb, both ballers," Derwin James said after the season. "Both came in with the mindset like a sponge, just soaking up everything and they wanted to get better every day.
"I'm so excited for those guys, I feel like they're both Pro Bowl corners," James added. "They're going to be two great corners, and the sky is the limit for them."
As for what's around them, that remains to be determined.
Fulton, Samuel and Apple are all slated to hit free agency this spring, meaning the Chargers only have four cornerbacks under contract for 2025.
That means whether it's bringing players back or adding cornerbacks in free agency and the draft, the position group will be one to keep an eye out for this offseason.
