When the Chargers opened their 2024 season, I figured their protection can be good however nonetheless have some shortcomings at nook. Cornerback was a spot that the earlier regime had swung and missed on a number of occasions, so the cobbled collectively prospects of late spherical draft picks and worth signings like Kristian Fulton most likely wouldn’t transfer the needle that a lot.
Boy, was I incorrect. The Chargers are seventh in EPA per play, fourth in EPA per play towards the go, and properly on their method to the playoffs within the first 12 months of the Jim Harbaugh period. Cornerback Kristian Fulton has performed properly, and Elijah Molden has been a monster since coming over to LA, however rookie nook Tarheeb Nonetheless has caught my eye.
A fifth-round select of Maryland, Nonetheless has performed his method into the beginning rotation and been a top quality nook for the Chargers. Nonetheless has allowed the bottom whole EPA as the closest defender amongst all cornerbacks with not less than 20 targets this season, per Sports activities Info Options, and his -0.52 EPA per goal is sweet for third within the NFL alongside that very same goal vary. On Sunday he picked off QB Kirk Cousins twice, whereas displaying off what’s made him such a formidable participant on this protection.
What stood out concerning the play of Nonetheless is how instinctive he’s when the ball is within the air. The Chargers play a lot match protection and ask their corners to shut rapidly on each ball within the air, and Nonetheless has completed that so properly. On his first interception, the Chargers are taking part in Cowl 3, however as an alternative of continuous to run with the put up because the Falcons run Sail, the protection and Nonetheless go off the route, and Nonetheless jumps in entrance of Drake London to seize the interception. It’s a sick play by Nonetheless, one which he’s made quite a bit this 12 months together with his instincts.
His second choose, a home name, was each a diabolical change up of the protection and one other play by Nonetheless displaying off his spectacular break on the ball and willingness to take dangers when the ball is within the air. It’s fourth down, and the Chargers present a zero blitz hoping to warmth up Cousins and make his life hell. Properly, on the snap the Chargers spin out to Cowl 2, with the person over the second receiver flying to the deep half aspect of the sphere. Nonetheless turns to the sideline defending the flat, and he sees Cousins go to the flat as a result of he was anticipating man protection. Nonetheless jumps the route by a lot he catches the ball like 5 yards away from the receiver within the flat. Subsequent factor , it’s a home name for Nonetheless, the primary of his profession. Spinning this into Cowl 2 is disgusting, and the execution of it was even higher.
What a name in that second and what a play by Nonetheless.
His day wasn’t completed there, nevertheless. Late within the sport because the Falcons have been attempting to go win the sport, Nonetheless rotates into the deep half because the Chargers play Cowl 2, and Cousins tries to hit Drake London within the honey gap, the hole between the Deep half participant (Nonetheless) and the flat participant. Nonetheless is taking part in to the within due to the put up to the slot, so he has to make a pace flip to assist make a play on this ball. We see this quite a bit on the NFL Mix for DB drills, and Nonetheless takes the drill to the sphere. He makes this flip and nonetheless knocks the ball away from London. Simply a formidable play general.
Los Angeles’ 2024 draft class is wanting like a bookend one for the franchise. Including Nonetheless within the fifth spherical, CB Cam Hart within the fifth spherical, WR Ladd McConkey within the second spherical and RT Joe Alt within the first is such an effective way to kickstart your rebuild and all of them have performed main roles within the Chargers’ resurgence.
Nonetheless got here out of nowhere, taking this job and never giving it again. He’s acquired an upward arrow taking part in on this protection, and with LA dealing with a significant problem Sunday night time towards Kansas Metropolis, control Nonetheless.