Predicting Five Defensive Stars Of Chargers Training Camp

We are deep into Los Angeles Chargers Training Camp, and the Preseason has already started; let’s look at who may be the standouts on defense.

Edge, Akheem Mesidor 

After getting picked 22nd in the first round of this year’s draft, training camp is Mesidor’s time to shine. With players like edges Bud Dupree and Khalil Mack in their 30s (and Mack possibly entering his last year), there’s space for new, young talent like Mesidor to emerge.

Training camp will be the time for Mesidor to start earning first-round pick status and will enable us to see whether some of his college career highs in solo tackles (38), sacks (12.5), and forced fumbles (4) can materialize in the NFL. 

Safety, Derwin James Jr. 

James always makes a splash during Chargers training camp, and this summer will most likely be no different. Though his stats were slightly down in 2025 in areas like solo tackles and sacks, they were up in interceptions.

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The good news is that defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary was the safeties coach for the Chargers in 2024 when James had career highs in sacks (5.5) and stuffs (9.5 in the regular season and one in the postseason), so James’ stats may increase this year as O’Leary looks to regain his footing in LA. 

Edge, Tuli Tuipulotu

Tuipulotu’s production shows up in every facet of the season, including training camp. Daniel Popper of The Athletic noted in last year’s training camp that Tuipulotu had some “violent reps” against players and even knocked offensive lineman Trey Pipkins III’s helmet off on the first day in pads.

I expect to see the same aggression and physicality this year, in preparation for a season in which he may try to beat his career highs from 2025 in areas like sacks (13 in the regular season and 1 in the postseason), stuffs (10.5), and passes defensed (3). 

Edge, Khalil Mack

Though Mack gets some veteran rest days here and there and is definitely not the youngest anymore, he’s not slowing down. Mack’s stats weren’t as flashy last year as they were in 2023, but injuries have to be factored in, which kept him out of multiple early-season games and limited his production.

Now that Mack is healthy, training camp should be where he’s able to get right and show us a preview of what’s to come. He had multiple quarterback sacks on multiple days in last year’s training camp, and it’ll most likely be more of the same this year. Who knows, this may be his last season, so Chargers’ fans should enjoy seeing him in action while they can. 

Linebacker, Daiyan Henley 

Henley had a pick-6 in last year’s Chargers camp, along with interceptions and tackles for loss. For every day that Henley doesn’t show up in a camp report, he makes up for it in the next with something eye-catching.

Henley had a dip last year in production due to sickness, but still managed to get some career highs in sacks (3.5). He should be on a better path this season, and training camp should prove that.