The Los Angeles Chargers are coming off a forgettable 2023 season. The team had one of their worst seasons since 2019, finishing last in the division, and the result is owning the number five pick in the upcoming NFL draft.
A big chunk of their poor play in 2023 was due to their poor offensive line. The Chargers had trouble keeping the backfield clean, and the numbers speak volumes. PFF revealed the grade for each Bolt on the offensive line, and it isn't pretty.
To no one's surprise, Rashawn Slater, their former first-round pick, had the best grade. However, the other four linemen failed to reach a grade of 60 according to PFF.
Although the grades are bad, the Chargers' pass-block grades weren't all that bad. Slater was ranked fifth out of 81 in his position, Zion Johnson was 42/77, Jamaree Salyer was 34/77, and Trey Pipkins III was 41/81. Not impressive, but also not too bad.
However, their run-blocking grades are where things took a turn for the worst. Slater dropped to 48 out of 79 in his position, while Johnson was 49th, Salyer 68, and Pipkins III 69th. The Chargers' inefficiency running the ball had the Bolts' third and long, where the defense consistently sent blitzers and pressure.
Injuries played a huge role in the Charger's offensive line woes. Many of their players played in different positions throughout the season, resulting in many adjustments for said players.
A ton of things didn't go the Bolts' way, whether you want to point to injury, lack of offensive line play, or a player's inability to get open. The Chargers have a chance to fix these issues in April's draft.
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