Marlowe Wax just put up an absolutely insane 91.9 overall PFF grade, including a ridiculous 90.0 in coverage, in the Chargers’ preseason game against the Texans. That’s the kind of performance that makes you sit up and take serious notice! Houston’s head coach DeMeco Ryans himself said the Chargers “out-physical’d” his Texans for most of the game, and PFF’s first grades of the season are absolutely backing that up. This team showed some serious depth, pouring it on during the final 30 minutes, and the defense in particular looks like it’s ready to make some noise.
Offensive Standouts and Some Head-Scratchers
Let’s talk offense. We saw some real bright spots with guys like offensive guard Kayode Awosika leading the charge with a 90.1 grade, and center Jacob Spomer right behind him at 82.0. Seriously, Jacob Spomer? The dude looked like a seasoned vet out there at center, especially when he moved in for Slaughter. He was one of only two Chargers to break 80.0, and if that doesn’t earn him more looks as a prospective lineman of the future for the Bolts, I don’t know what will. Trevor Penning also brought it with a 78.1 overall grade, finishing fourth in run block grade at 73.1 and second in pass block grade at 82.2, even with that holding penalty. And shoutout to wide receiver Devonte Ross, who not only caught the lone touchdown of the night but also snagged the third-highest receiving grade at 72.8. That’s how you get noticed!
Then there’s the other side of the coin. Quarterback Trey Lance struggled, hitting a 43.0 grade. He looked in control at times, sure, and his scrambling ability is still there, keeping his floor high. But man, that egregious interception he threw, and the one he almost tossed that was somehow dropped by the defender? He just didn’t look any better at reading defenses on Thursday night. That’s a tough look early on. Other low points include running back Kimani Vidal (38.1), tight end Jerand Bradley (45.7), and wide receiver Dalevon Campbell (48.3). Offensive guard/center Jake Slaughter was a real mixed bag in his 51 snaps; his 46.4 run block grade was the team’s absolute lowest, but a 72.5 pass block grade helped him recover some. Gotta watch the tape on that one, he looked strong in pass pro against those Houston stunts.
Defense Came Out Firing
On defense, it was a clinic! Linebacker Marlowe Wax’s 91.9 grade, including that elite 90.0 in coverage, was just insane. The guy should have had a pick, too! Linebacker Troy Dye was stellar across the board, with four of his five grades above 73.0, and Junior Colson rounded out the linebacker crew with an 87.0 grade, finishing top four in pass rush, coverage, and tackling. Jim Harbaugh said the linebacker play was really good, and these numbers absolutely back him up. Edge rusher Akheem Mesidor looked like he was shot out of a cannon on his limited snaps, with an 80.9 grade, and defensive tackle TeRah Edwards also made his presence felt at 79.8. This defense is playing with some serious energy and physicality, and it’s exciting to see what they can do.
These PFF grades for the first preseason game give us a real peek at who’s ready to ball out and who needs to hit the film room. For guys like Wax, it’s a massive statement; he’s set the bar incredibly high. For Spomer, it means more opportunities are coming his way. And for Lance, it’s a clear indication that while the raw talent is there, the mental game needs to catch up fast. Preseason games are all about finding out what you’ve got, and we’ll be watching to see how these players respond as the preseason continues.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bolts from the Blue.
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