​Over the upcoming weeks leading into training camp, I will continue unpacking the Chargers’ depth chart for each position. First up is the quarterback room, followed by the running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive line, defensive line, edge rushers, linebackers, and cornerbacks. After laying out the positions, I will project what the safety unit could look like as we head into the 2026 season.
James signed a hefty three-year extension to cement his role as the cornerstone of the Chargers’ defense. Coming off a remarkable 2025 season in which he earned Second-Team All-Pro honors, his elite coverage versatility should continue to be a central feature of the back end and inside the slot under new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary. Following a five-game absence due to injury in 2025, Molden enters this summer fully healthy and poised to solidify his starting spot. He will pair with James, aiming to recapture the productive form he showed in 2024, a year in which he posted career highs with 75 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 7 passes defended.
Jefferson is back for another season after signing a one-year, $2 million deal. The 34-year-old veteran revitalized his game in 2025, appearing in 13 games, recording four interceptions, and yielding one of the lowest passer ratings allowed in coverage among safeties at 36.7. In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chargers selected Smith in the fourth round (No. 131 overall) out of Arizona. Smith brings true centerfield range and solid coverage skills to the safety room, though he will need to continue refining his tackling consistency; his playmaking instincts should help him push for early defensive reps.
In the 2025 class, Mickens was selected in the sixth round and quickly carved out a reliable rotational role during injuries and the midseason departure of Alohi Gilman. He finished with 18 tackles (14 solo) and two interceptions, and he will compete for the third safety spot—alongside Jefferson and Smith—during training camp and preseason.
Williamson established himself as a core special-teams contributor in 2025, appearing in all 17 regular-season games. Although an ankle injury at the end of the season sidelined him for the playoffs, the front office rewarded him with a contract extension through 2026. While he faces a crowded safety room, Williamson’s proven prowess on special teams helps secure his roster spot.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers safety depth chart: Who will make the 53-man roster? to support SEO. The full analysis will continuously evolve as we approach and move through training camp, with updated evaluations of every position and a detailed look at how each player’s trajectory could influence the final roster.