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Los Angeles Chargers Daily Links: Are Chargers Most Improved Team in AFC West?

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NFL: Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

PFF's top 5 Defensive Rookie of the Year candidates for 2018 - Sam Monson
There are few players that are more do-it-all than Derwin James, who somehow slipped all the way to No. 17 in the first round of the draft before being pounced upon by the Los Angeles Chargers. James has the skills to be a true matchup weapon on defense, in a league crying out for defensive counters to those offensive mismatch weapons that have taken over since the turn of the millennium.

What Chargers DT Justin Jones brings to the table in 2018 - Gavino Borquez
Jones plays his position very effectively, showing excellent pad level by utilizing a consistent base, actively engaging offensive linemen with his powerful bullrush to avoid blocks and fight through double teams with ease. He shows a phenomenal spin move when he rushes the quarterback. At 6-foot-2 and 312 pounds, Jones uses his long wingspan to create separation while bringing fast hands and a strong punch.

3 reasons why Chargers should be taken seriously in 2018 - Will Reeve
Los Angeles may have boasted the third-best scoring defense in the NFL one season ago, but general manager Tom Telesco understood that the unit was just a few pieces away from being incredible. That and former Florida State safety Derwin James fell into Telesco’s lap at pick No. 17 overall in the 2018 NFL draft.

Most improved NFL team in each division for 2018 - Michael Renner
This one is as much about the lack of losses as it is the additions. The Broncos and Chiefs lost key members of their secondary in Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters, respectively, while the Raiders largely kicked the can down the road with non-descript free agent signings and draft picks. The Chargers brought in two guys in Pouncey and James who will undoubtedly make an impact Year 1 and they could even still feasibly bring back their highest graded loss this offseason in still unsigned Tre Boston (although unlikely).

Why Austin Ekeler Can't Rest Easy - Ricky Henne
Ekeler saw sporadic playing time over the first month of the season, which is why he fell just short of the threshold to qualify among league leaders. If he had, his 10.3 yards per catch would have ranked third among all running backs, sandwiched between Todd Gurley and Alvin Kamara.

Lifelong Chargers fan Scott Quessenberry will wear Nick Hardwick's No. 61 - Eric Williams
“What a pleasure to watch a guy who grew up a Chargers’ fan as a kid during an era when we were really cranking,” said Hardwick, who retired in 2015 after 11 seasons with the Chargers. “And for him, of all the good linemen that we had during that time period and to pick my number, it’s just an honor.

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