Chargers Training Camp is on the horizon.
The team will host 14 open practices as they welcome fans to The Bolt in El Segundo for the first time.
The Bolts are looking to have an instant impact in Year 1 of the Jim Harbaugh era and have a new-look coaching staff and roster that relentlessly attacked the offseason program.
Chargers.com will take a look at each position group leading up to training camp. Next up, the defensive backs.
Who's on the roster?
Cornerbacks: Asante Samuel, Jr., Kristian Fulton, Ja'Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard, Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart, Matt Hankins, Chris Wilcox, Zamari Walton, Robert Kennedy
Safeties: Derwin James, Jr., Alohi Gilman, JT Woods, AJ Finley, Tony Jefferson, Akeem Dent, Thomas Harper, Jalyn Phillips
Camp outlook
Derwin James, Jr., remains as the unquestioned leader for a retooled secondary in 2024.
As not only the leader in the safety room but the entire defense, James figures to be a key member of the unit in Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter's new scheme.
The former All-Pro safety enters Year 7 after playing 16 games and notching a career-high in total tackles (125) in 2023.
And right from the jump, Head Coach Jim Harbaugh was able to tell that James' impact goes much deeper than just on the stat sheet.
"One and a half practices in way back in April, it was clear to be like, 'Derwin James, Jr. OK guys, do whatever Derwin James is doing,'" Harbaugh said about James last month. "However he approaches the training environment, the way he approaches the meetings, the way he approaches the practices, what he wears, what he does, what he says, the way he goes from meeting to meeting, the way he communicates.
Harbaugh later added: "Just look at No. 3 and do everything that he is doing and it's going to be really good for you."
James headlines the safety group alongside Alohi Gilman, who returned this offseason and will once again form a strong tandem in the deep part of the field.
Gilman had his best season yet last year, playing in 14 games and racking up a career-high 73 tackles, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.
"I love Alohi. He's a baller, a communicator back there, he makes plays," James said about Gilman. "He's an unselfish guy, one of the best teammates I've had, I love going to work with him.
Gilman added: "I feel like our best football with me and him is ahead of us. I can't wait for us to go do that for the fans."
With James and Gilman as the two getting the bulk of the snaps at safety and James being able to move around the defense, training camp will feature a battle for the important third safety spot of the defense.
2022 third-round pick JT Woods, second-year player AJ Finley and veteran free-agent addition Tony Jefferson will be in the middle of it, as the three will have opportunities to carve out a role.
The rest of the safety group is rounded out by Akeem Dent, Thomas Harper and Jalyn Phillips, all of whom were brought on this offseason as undrafted free agents.
Asante Samuel, Jr., headlines a cornerback room that, like the safeties, will have ample competition at some spots.
Samuel and free agent addition Kristian Fulton have manned the outside corner spots throughout the spring and will feature key roles in the room.
Meanwhile third-year cornerbacks Ja'Sir Taylor, who has spent time in the slot during the spring, and Deane Leonard have also had key roles so far and will have a chance to make their mark during camp.
"Those three guys [Asante, Kristian and Ja'Sir] same deal," Minter said. "I think we've moved them all around enough that they're all interchangeable in the slot, outside.
"I think Deane Leonard is a guy that's played some good snaps here, has continued to progress," Minter added. "You can tell that he's comfortable, you can tell that he's played, he can hold his own out there."
A pair of fifth-round draft picks were also added to the mix in April as Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart continued their progression during OTAs and Minicamp.
The rookies have impressed early, setting up what could be an intriguing battle during camp.
"The two rookies that we drafted, very excited about both of them," Minter said.
He later added: "Once again, in training camp when it really, really intensifies, looking forward to seeing how that entire competition shakes out and seeing who's best where. Let it all shake out."
Rounding out the group is Matt Hankins and Chris Wilcox, who spent time on the practice squad last season, in addition to a pair of undrafted free agents in Zamari Walton and Robert Kennedy.
Quick quote
"I think in our secondary, versatility is a key factor of how we play. Don't want to say positionless, but we try to teach the coverages in a way that guys can really play in any spot. Even a corner, even a nickel going back and playing there. Those guys have done a really good job picking it up. I think they sense there's a real opportunity here for a lot of snaps because of Derwin's flexibility and how good he can be doing different things. For us it's like, 'Okay, who are the five defensive backs to put on the field? Who are the six best defensive backs?' And letting all that shake out." – Minter on preparing the Chargers secondary at different positions.
Player to watch: Kristian Fulton
The cornerback room got a big veteran addition in Fulton during the first couple of weeks of free agency.
The fifth-year corner will now play a big role in Minter's defense as he's slated to take one of the outside spots in the secondary — and he brings with him some experience of playing at a high level.
Fulton, who played in 42 games (37 starts) in four seasons in Tennessee, had his best season in 2021 when he played in 13 games, notching two interceptions and leading his team with 14 passes defensed.
His presence is key as one of the few members of the cornerback room with veteran experience.
And so far during the spring, Fulton has felt very comfortable with the way things have played out early in his time with Minter and the defensive staff.
"I like how they break down the details and how they want everyone to learn everything, as far as the defense," Fulton said. "I think that's getting everybody comfortable with their role and, really, just being comfortable with the guy next to you. I feel like that's a great way to go about it.
"If you're comfortable with the guy and he knows what he's doing, you're going to be comfortable in knowing what you're doing, know how to use your help," Fulton added. "Just small things like that. I feel like that's really big and communicating, obviously."
Fulton has battled injuries during his NFL career thus far but mentioned feeling refreshed and excited about his new start in the powder blue.
If the cornerback could return to the high-level play he's displayed in the past, it could pay huge dividends on the Bolts defense when paired next to Samuel.
"It's a different mindset when you feel like you can play with your instincts and play your game," Fulton said. "I feel pretty comfortable as far as the few reps that we did get.
"It's not full-speed or anything, but just getting back on the field, getting my feet back under me, I'm confident in what I can do on the field," Fulton added.
Key question: What does Derwin James, Jr., look like in Jesse Minter's defense?
Minter hasn't shied away from his excitement of being able to have a player like James as one of the leaders of his defense.
"I'm going to try over the summer to clone him and make three of him," Minter said with a laugh.
James has been all over the defense throughout the spring practices as he familiarized himself in the defensive coordinator's scheme on and off the field.
Moving around is nothing new for the veteran safety, as he's continued to display that versatility throughout his career.
According to Pro Football Focus, James logged over 300 snaps at free safety and in the box as well as over 200 at slot cornerback last season.
Having a player that does what James does is valuable on a weekly basis against different offenses — and trying to find what works best will be a big part of training camp.
"I mean he does everything well," Minter said. "It's still sort of just where he can be most be effective in a certain game, in a certain type of matchup.
"He can do it all, but as I said before, you got to be careful of not overloading him," Minter added. "He's picked up everything, he's picked up multiple positions, he's repped at a bunch of different positions."
The Bolts defense looks much different when James is doing what he's showed he can do and finding the right balance could change a lot of how the unit looks in 2024.
It's safe to say the defensive coordinator has some high hopes to what he can do in his defense.
"His versatility, I think he has an opportunity to, as I told him, 'Let's retake the claim of you being one of the best safeties in football,'" Minter said.
James' response to that? Something that should excite Bolts fans.
"He loves it," Minter said about James' response.
