ESPN projects stats for Chargers' defensive players in 2026

[ASFN Admin]

Mike Clay is an NFL and fantasy football analyst at ESPN and spends a lot of time going through algorithms and formulas to project player and team stats prior to the regular season.

Recently, Clay revealed his defensive projections for the upcoming season.

Let’s take a look at how he believes the Chargers players will fare in the first year under new coordinator Chris O'Leary.

Defensive tackle​

Teair Tart: 634 snaps, 46 tackles, 2.5 sacks

Jamaree Caldwell: 591 snaps, 41 tackles, 1.5 sacks

Dalvin Tomlinson: 581 snaps, 31 tackles, 2.4 sacks

Justin Eboigbe: 475 snaps, 36 tackles, 3.5 sacks

Nick Barrett: 32 snaps, 2 tackles, 0.1 sacks

Edge defender​

Tuli Tuipulotu: 813 snaps, 52 tackles, 9.7 sacks

Khalil Mack: 634 snaps, 47 tackles, 6.2 sacks

Akheem Mesidor: 486 snaps, 34 tackles, 5.0 sacks

Bud Dupree: 232 snaps, 12 tackles, 1.6 sacks

Linebacker​

Daiyan Henley: 1,003 snaps, 124 tackles, 2.2 sacks, 1.0 interceptions

Denzel Perryman: 528 snaps, 79 tackles, 0.3 sacks, 0.6 interceptions

Troy Dye: 264 snaps, 35 tackles, 0.7 sacks, 0.3 interceptions

Junior Colson: 106 snaps, 14 tackles, 0.2 sacks, 0.1 interceptions

Cornerback​

Tarheeb Still: 898 snaps, 70 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, 0.6 sacks

Cam Hart: 792 snaps, 58 tackles, 1.7 interceptions, 0.2 sacks

Donte Jackson: 686 snaps, 36 tackles, 1.7 interceptions, 0.1 sacks

Deane Leonard: 211 snaps, 16 tackles, 0.5 interceptions, 0.1 sacks

Nikko Reed: 53 snaps, 4 tackles, 0.1 interceptions

Safety​

Derwin James: 1,003 snaps, 106 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2.0 interceptions

Elijah Molden: 686 snaps, 69 tackles, 0.5 interceptions

Tony Jefferson: 602 snaps, 64 tackles, 2.0 interceptions, 0.3 sacks

R.J. Mickens: 285 snaps, 26 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 0.1 sacks

Genesis Smith: 21 snaps, 2 tackles

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Stat projections for Chargers defensive players in 2026

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