https://chargerswire.usatoday.com/2023/02/19/los-angeles-chargers-derwin-james-nasir-adderley/

John Dillon and Gavino Borquez
February 19, 2023 6:20 pm PT

Led by veteran standout Derwin James, the Chargers had five players take
snaps at safety in 2022.

James started 14 games for the team this season and combined for 115
tackles, four sacks, and two interceptions in an effort that saw him
selected to the Pro Bowl. His status as the league’s preeminent safety
remains a safe bet for 2023.

Beside James stood Nasir Adderley. Adderley struggled down the final
stretch of the season, which resulted in Alohi Gilman getting more
playing time than Adderley, including the playoff game against the
Jaguars when Gilman got the start. He was drafted for his ball-hawking
ability, which never materialized as Adderley finished his rookie deal
with just three interceptions in four seasons.

The Chargers relied on Gilman, a third-year standout who played his
college ball at Navy and Notre Dame, to fill in when James and Adderley
were out. Gilman was more productive than Adderley on a per-game-started
basis, suiting up as a starter in five games, recording 58 combined
tackles, three passes defended, an interception, and a forced fumble.

Rookies JT Woods and Raheem Layne were the only other safeties on the
roster for Los Angeles this season and didn’t see the field much. Woods
was drafted in the third round with the idea of playing him as the deep
safety to allow James to move all over the field. But that never came to
fruition as Woods struggled as a tackler in the limited defensive snaps
he played and was a non-factor defensively early on.

Layne, on the other hand, was primarily a special teams standout.

This group will likely have a new member this offseason, as Adderley is
a free agent and Woods’ underwhelming showings did not warrant any given
playing time.