Inglewood, CA — The 2024-2025 PML season is over, but for the Los Angeles Chargers and their fans, there’s a lot to be excited about. It was a great year and here are the 25 players that progressed the most in the official season 1 Development Dossier of the Chargers.
Rashawn Slater: The Steady Anchor
As the Chargers’ premier left tackle, Rashawn Slater started the season with a strong 90 overall rating, maintaining a high level of performance. By the season’s end, Slater’s rating ticked up slightly to 91. While the improvement may seem modest, Slater’s incremental gains in pass block finesse and power (+1 each) ensure that he remains a reliable protector for quarterback Justin Herbert. His most significant improvement came in the run-blocking department, with a +4 boost, and a +5 boost to run block power. Showcasing his enhanced ability to open lanes for the running game, Slater continues to be the steady anchor of the Chargers’ offensive line.
Zion Johnson: A Guard on the Rise
Zion Johnson, the Chargers’ left guard, showed the most noticeable improvement among his peers. Starting the season with a 75 overall rating, Johnson closed out the year with a solid 78. His pass-blocking skills saw tremendous growth, with a +6 in overall pass blocking and an eye-popping +8 in pass block finesse, making him a more reliable asset in pass protection. Johnson’s development wasn’t limited to just passing plays; he also improved his run-blocking with a +3 in overall run block and a +1 in power. With his added awareness (+1), Johnson’s future on the line looks increasingly bright.
Tyler Steen: A Strong Run Blocker Emerges
Right guard Tyler Steen began the season at 69 overall and finished at 72, showing growth in several key areas. Steen became a much stronger presence in the run game, with a +6 improvement in overall run blocking and an outstanding +8 in run block power. These gains highlight his ability to be a dominant force on rushing plays, which will be vital for the Chargers’ offense moving forward. In pass protection, Steen saw moderate progress, with +4 in pass block finesse and +2 in pass block power, providing a balanced approach to his game.
Jamaree Salyer: Quiet but Effective
While Jamaree Salyer didn’t experience the same leap in development as his teammates, the right guard made notable progress in run blocking. He improved by +5 in both overall run block and finesse, becoming a more well-rounded player in this area. His pass-blocking abilities saw only slight improvements, but with a +1 boost to his awareness, Salyer remains a dependable piece of the line as he continues to develop.
Ricky Stromberg: A Pass-Blocking Specialist in the Making
Ricky Stromberg, another right guard, started and ended the season with identical overall ratings as Salyer (69 to 71), but his growth areas were quite different. Stromberg made huge strides in pass blocking, with a +7 in pass block finesse and a +6 in pass block power, showing his dedication to protecting the quarterback. While his run-blocking skills didn’t improve, his focus on pass protection makes him a specialist in this area, and he could become an essential part of the Chargers’ passing game strategy in the future.
Joe Alt: The Rising Star at Right Tackle
Right tackle Joe Alt was one of the most improved players on the Chargers’ offensive line. Starting the season with a respectable 79 overall rating, Alt’s hard work paid off as he finished with an 83. His most notable improvement came in pass block finesse, where he jumped by +10 points, making him a formidable presence against edge rushers. Alt also gained +5 in awareness, which will aid him in diagnosing defensive schemes and protecting the quarterback more effectively. While his run-blocking gains were minor, Alt’s improvements in pass protection signal that he is on the path to becoming a top-tier right tackle.
Quentin Johnston: The Explosive Playmaker
Quentin Johnston made tremendous strides throughout the season, starting with a 73 overall rating and surging to 83 by the end. His biggest area of growth was in deep route running (DRR), where he improved by a remarkable +13, solidifying his reputation as a dangerous deep threat. He also developed his ability to create separation off the line, with a +13 boost in release (RLS). Johnston’s improvement in medium route running (MRR, +11) further complements his game, making him a versatile target in both the short and deep passing game. His progress in catching in traffic (CIT, +11) and spectacular catch (SPC, +4) also highlights his growing reliability as a receiver capable of making plays under pressure.
Ladd McConkey: The Reliable Route Runner
Ladd McConkey showed impressive growth as a route runner, starting at a 74 overall and improving to 80 by the season’s end. His short, medium, and deep route running all saw substantial improvements, with gains of +6, +7, and +8 respectively, making him a well-rounded route technician. His release off the line (RLS, +12) also saw a major improvement, allowing him to get open more consistently. McConkey’s spectacular catch (+4) saw some improvement, though his ability to catch in traffic (CIT) remained mostly steady with only a slight +1 increase. This development positions him as a dependable option in the Chargers’ passing game.
Brenden Rice: The Deep Threat in Progress
Brenden Rice’s development focused primarily on becoming a better deep route runner, with a +6 increase in deep route running (DRR). Starting the season at 68 overall and finishing at 70, Rice also made slight gains in medium route running (MRR, +1) and his release off the line (RLS, +5), helping him get separation downfield. While his progress was more modest than his teammates, Rice’s growth in deep routes makes him a valuable option when stretching the field. His name leaves a lot for him to live up to.
Cornelius Johnson: The Potential Playmaker
Cornelius Johnson, who started at 67 overall and increased to 69, primarily improved in deep route running (DRR, +5) and release off the line (RLS, +5). While his improvements were limited, his focus on deep routes shows promise for becoming a more impactful downfield threat in the future. He spent the entire season on the practice squad, but looks to lock down a real roster spot thanks to his progression.
Justin Eboigbe: The Hybrid
Starting the season with a 69 overall rating and finishing at 71, defensive end Justin Eboigbe made notable improvements in key pass-rushing skills. His power moves (PMV) saw a significant +9 increase, making him a much more effective force against offensive linemen. Eboigbe also improved his ability to shed blocks (BSH, +5), which will help him disrupt running plays. His finesse moves (FMV, +1) didn’t see as much growth, but his progress in power rushing sets him up as a physical presence on the defensive line.
Jowon Briggs: The Disruptor
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs had a steady season, improving his overall rating from 69 to 72. He made progress in both power moves (PMV, +2) and finesse moves (FMV, +3), becoming more versatile in pass-rushing situations. Briggs also demonstrated increased play recognition (PRC, +6), helping him diagnose offensive plays quicker. His awareness (AWR, +7) grew significantly, highlighting his overall improvement in understanding the game.
Tuli Tuipulotu: A Monster in The Making
Tuli Tuipulotu, the standout outside linebacker, saw his overall rating jump from 75 to 81. He became a more well-rounded player, with significant gains in block shedding (BSH, +7), power moves (PMV, +6), and finesse moves (FMV, +9). Tuipulotu also improved his play recognition (PRC, +5) and awareness (AWR, +6), making him a highly effective pass rusher and run stopper. His tackling (TKL, +5) improved as well, ensuring his versatility in both pass and run defense.
Cameron Thomas: The Right Side Reliever
Outside linebacker Cameron Thomas saw his overall rating rise from 69 to 71, with the bulk of his improvement coming in the pass-rushing game. His power moves (PMV) saw a strong +8 increase, allowing him to create more pressure on quarterbacks. Thomas also improved his block-shedding ability (BSH, +5), which will help him disrupt running plays. While his finesse moves and other areas didn’t see major growth, his development in power moves makes him a more reliable edge rusher.
K’Lavon Chaisson: The Finesse Rusher
K’Lavon Chaisson improved his overall rating from 71 to 75 this season, thanks to major gains in finesse moves (FMV, +7) and block shedding (BSH, +5). Though his power moves didn’t progress, his growth as a finesse rusher will help him pressure the quarterback more effectively. His awareness (AWR, +2) saw minor improvement, helping him read plays better, but his development as a finesse rusher stands out as the key area of growth.
Junior Colson: The Defensive Player of The Year
Middle linebacker Junior Colson was one of the most improved defensive players, jumping from 72 to an impressive 87 overall rating. His play recognition (PRC, +32) skyrocketed, making him an invaluable leader in diagnosing plays and positioning the defense. Colson also improved in awareness (AWR, +14), block shedding (BSH, +6), and tackling (TKL, +6). His pursuit (+5) and zone coverage (ZCV, +12) both saw significant growth, making him an all-around defensive force capable of covering the field from sideline to sideline.
Daiyan Henley: The Field General
Daiyan Henley made solid progress this season, increasing his overall rating from 70 to 74. His biggest area of improvement was awareness (AWR, +11), followed by play recognition (PRC, +3) and block shedding (BSH, +7). Though his tackling didn’t see much growth, Henley’s ability to read the field and shed blocks will make him a more effective defender in the future.
Nick Neimann: Special Player for Special Teams
Nick Neimann’s season was marked by a small increase in overall rating from 67 to 69. His block shedding (BSH, +6) and play recognition (PRC, +4) were his main areas of improvement. While he only made slight progress in awareness (AWR, +2) and tackling (TKL, +1), Neimann’s ability to shed blocks will make him more effective in specific defensive situations.
Asante Samuel Jr.: The Shutdown Slot
Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. continues to solidify himself as one of the Chargers’ premier defensive backs, improving his overall rating from 84 to 87. His man coverage (MCV) saw a +1 boost, but his press coverage (PRS, +6) and zone coverage (ZCV, +3) saw more significant gains, helping him become more versatile in different defensive schemes. Samuel’s tackling (TKL, +2) and awareness (AWR, +1) also improved slightly, making him a more complete defender capable of shutting down top receivers.
Tarheeb Still: The Coverage Specialist
Tarheeb Still had a breakout season, raising his overall rating from 69 to 75. His man coverage (MCV, +14) and zone coverage (ZCV, +7) improved dramatically, transforming him into a more reliable coverage corner. His press coverage (PRS, +2) also saw some growth, making him more effective in jamming receivers at the line. Still’s awareness (AWR, +5) and tackling (TKL, +2) further rounded out his development, setting him up as a key player in the Chargers’ secondary.
Cam Hart: The Rising Star
Cam Hart improved his overall rating from 69 to 76, with significant gains in both man coverage (MCV, +11) and zone coverage (ZCV, +10). His awareness (AWR, +6) and tackling (TKL, +3) also improved, making him a well-rounded cornerback capable of handling different defensive responsibilities. While his press coverage didn’t improve, his gains in other areas make him a solid coverage option for the Chargers.
Andrew Booth Jr.: A Chance To Leapfrog
Andrew Booth Jr. improved his overall rating from 72 to 76. His man coverage (MCV, +6) and zone coverage (ZCV, +6) both saw solid gains, making him more reliable in coverage situations. His awareness (AWR, +3) and tackling (TKL, +1) also improved slightly, but his main progress was in coverage, helping him become a more dependable cornerback.
Aaron Robinson: The Plug and Play
Aaron Robinson saw his overall rating increase from 71 to 74, with his most significant improvement in man coverage (MCV, +8). His zone coverage (ZCV, +5) also saw solid gains, while his press coverage (PRS, +1) saw only minor growth. Robinson’s improved man coverage makes him a key piece in one-on-one defensive matchups.
Alohi Gilman: The Experienced Safety
Free safety Alohi Gilman raised his overall rating from 81 to 83 this season. His man coverage (MCV, +7) saw the most growth, while his zone coverage (ZCV, +2) and awareness (AWR, +2) also improved slightly. Gilman’s progress in coverage positions him as a more dependable safety capable of handling different assignments in the secondary.
Kristian Fulton: The Plug and Play Part II
Kristian Fulton improved his overall rating from 73 to 77, with significant gains in zone coverage (ZCV, +8) and man coverage (MCV, +5). His awareness (AWR, +1) and tackling (TKL, +3) saw slight improvements, but his biggest area of growth was in coverage, making him a key player in defending the passing game.
