The Los Angeles Chargers had an outstanding special teams unit the past two seasons, but 2024 is off to a rough start.
Through five weeks, the Chargers are 24th in special teams DVOA. The ranking is quite a departure from their sixth and second-ranked groups in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Why such a drop off despite retaining most of their core group?
So far, returner Derius Davis has not looked like his rookie self. Through five weeks, the Chargers have the fourth-worst yards per kickoff return (21.2) and are 16th in yards per punt return (9.7). Davis has been making critical decision-making errors that have cost the Chargers field position a couple times per game. The issue may be fixed after the BYE with better health, as Davis has been dealing with a hamstring injury. While Davis did play against the Chiefs, he did not play a single snap on offense after averaging 10 snaps per game the first three weeks, indicating he was still managing that injury.
The Chargers are also not their usual selves on kickoff and punt coverage. Through five weeks, the Chargers are 24th in yards per kickoff return allowed (27.3) and 15th in yards per punt return allowed (9.5). The glaring difference is in kickoff coverage, where last year they were one of the five best teams in the NFL only allowing 17.8 yards per return. That is nearly a 10-yard difference between 2023 and the start to 2024.
Kicker Cameron Dicker has not been perfect, but one missed field goal from 50+ and a missed extra point are not enough to drastically affect the team's overall DVOA.
One underrated absence this season has been linebacker Nick Niemann, who is one of Ficken's most trusted core special teamers. The fourth-year pro has missed the first four games of the year after being placed on short-term injured reserve.
Nick Niemann is going to be an important part of the Chargers. Even if the defensive snaps don't come in bulk this year – and he grasps that situation fully – he should continue to ball out on special teams, especially under new ST coordinator Ryan Ficken. pic.twitter.com/xa0aiaKTRx
— Gavino Borquez (@GavinoBorquez) July 17, 2022
There is no doubt Ficken can turn this group around given his two-year track record of being one of the best special teams coordinators in football. Better health and some luck may help, but this group has to improve to give a struggling Chargers offense a bit more help each game.
