Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema named the best player fit at every position from the 2025 NFL draft.
As far as defensive tackles, Chargers third-round pick Jamaree Caldwell was slotted under the category.
The Chargers lost interior defender Poona Ford in free agency, which left quite the void in the depth chart, specifically in run defense, where he was a top-five player on the team (78.8 PFF run-defense grade).
In steps Caldwell, the massive but surprisingly nimble defensive tackle. He earned PFF run-defense grades above 80.0 in three straight seasons — first at Houston, then this past year at Oregon. The Chargers likely would have wanted defensive tackle Kenneth Grant in the first round, but Caldwell is a solid consolation prize, especially in the third round.
Many were under the impression that Los Angeles would address the position in the first round, with the likes of Kenneth Grant and Derrick Harmon, but both players were off the board, so they held off until Round 3, where they landed Caldwell.
Caldwell fills the void left by Poona Ford, who signed with the Rams this offseason. The former Oregon product should immediately contribute to the run defense. However, at 332 pounds, he is nimble for his size, showing the ability to rush the passer.
Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter unlocked Ford and Teair Tart’s potential, so there’s a good chance that he will be able to do the same with Caldwell and the other new additions, Naquan Jones and Da’Shawn Hand.
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