5 Chargers not named Justin Herbert the Jaguars must contain in Week 3
No. 4 Charger the Jaguars must contain in Week 3: Khalil Mack, OLB
player. 13. . . . Khalil Mack. 52
Derwin James isn’t the only Charger that has dealt with injuries in recent years. It’s easy to forget it now but when Khalil Mack was in his prime, he was discussed as one of the top 3 defenders in the NFL.
A first-round pick in the 2014 draft, Mack was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2016. However, he was traded to the Chicago Bears before the 2018 season. He dealt with several injuries throughout his stint in the Windy City and was never the same player he was for the Silver and Black.
But Mack is fully healthy now. In two games this season, he’s recorded 3.5 sacks and three tackles for a loss. If the Jaguars’ offensive line wants to keep Trevor Lawrence’s jersey clean, they will need to find a way to neutralize the six-time Pro Bowl nod.
No. 3 Charger the Jaguars must contain in Week 3: Austin Ekeler, RB
Austin Ekeler. 30. player. 13. . .
Back in 2019, running back Melvin Gordon held out during the offseason because he wanted a top-market contract. But the Bolts didn’t cave in and instead signed Austin Ekeler to a four-year contract worth $24 million the following year.
Looking back, it looks like Los Angeles made the right decision, as Ekeler has low-key become a mainstay of their offense. While the Western Colorado product has never topped 1,000 rushing yards in the NFL, he came close last year, racking up 911 yards and eight touchdowns on 203 carries.
Moreover, Ekeler is an asset in the passing game. Over the last three years, he’s hauled in a combined 216 receptions for 2,043 yards with 18 touchdowns. The fact that he’s averaged 9.5 yards per reception throughout his career shows he’s a reliable target in the middle of the field and not just a safety valve.