Madden 19: Los Angeles Chargers Player Ratings, Roster, Depth Chart & Playbooks

The Chargers were a staple of the AFC playoffs in the 2000's. Under Marty Schottenheimer and then Norv Turner's leadership and with all-time greats like LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates in their prime they were a constant threat. That threat never turned into a Super Bowl appearance though, as New England and Pittsburgh consistently stood in their way. The modern Chargers have a sense of disappointment about them. Philip Rivers is still at the helm, but their last playoff appearance was in 2013 and they suffered back to back losing seasons in 2015 and 2016. There is excitement around the talent of this roster every year, but injuries and bad luck seem to consistently get in their way.

*All stats correct at time of writing

Team Rating

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The Chargers have a very reasonable 80 overall. They are far from the best team in Madden 19, but they are also by no means poor. The Chargers 83 offense score comes from the good quarterback play of Philip Rivers along with the likes of Keenan Allen, Melvin Gordon, and Hunter Henry. It's a well-rounded offense with few holes and a pretty good offensive line. The Chargers are solid on defense too, receiving a score of 83. This is based on the deadly pass rushing duo of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram as well as strong cornerbacks in Casey Hayward, Jason Verrett, and Desmond King II.

Keenan Allen, Wide Receiver (OVR 91)

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Age: 26

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 3 years/$30.56m

2018 Cap Hit: $8.73m

Best Stats: Speed (88), Catching (94), Catching In Traffic (92), Short Route (93), Medium Route (91), Release (92), Jumping (91)

Keenan Allen joined the Chargers as a third-round pick in the 2013 draft. From day one he was exceptionally productive for the Chargers despite his less-than-ideal athleticism. Allen racked up 71 catches, 1,046 yards, and eight touchdowns as a rookie thanks to his very impressive route running skills and ability to create separation with the technical, rather than physical, side of his game. Injuries have hampered his play in recent years, but he played all 16 games in 2017, finishing with 102 catches for 1,393 yards and six scores.

Casey Hayward Jr, Cornerback (OVR 91)

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Age: 28

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 4 years/$29.5m

2018 Cap Hit: $6.91m

Best Stats: Speed (90), Man coverage (90), Zone Coverage (93), Play Recognition (96), Press (90), Catching (80)

Casey Hayward's NFL career began in green Bay, where he was a second-round pick in 2012. Hayward played well, if inconsistently, for the Packers in his four seasons with them, but he never really locked up a starting role for them and was allowed to walk in free agency in 2016. He was signed by the Chargers and his talents quickly established him as a vital piece of the defense. He led the NFL in interceptions with seven in 2016 and was voted to his first Pro Bowl. In 2017 he returned to the Pro Bowl and could easily have been an All-Pro.

Melvin Gordon III, Running Back (OVR 91)

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Age: 25

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 2 years/$7.49m

2018 Cap Hit: $3.66m

Best Stats: Speed (92), Carrying (93), Juke Move (94), Break Tackle (90), Elusiveness (86), Catching (69)

Melvin Gordon was the 15th overall pick for the Chargers in 2015. He took some time to acclimatize to the NFL and also struggled a little with workload early on. In his rookie year behind a poor offensive line, Gordon averaged just 3.5 yards per carry and failed to find the endzone. That began to change in 2016 though, and he now has 2,743 yards on the ground to his name and 24 all-purpose touchdowns. Gordon has started to become a bigger piece of the passing game too and made 58 catches last season.

Joey Bosa, Defensive End (OVR 90)

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Age: 23

Development Trait: Superstar

Contract: 2 years/$13.28m

2018 Cap Hit: $6.26m

Best Stats: Strength (87), Power Moves (89), Finesse Moves (95), Play Recognition (93), Acceleration (87), Awareness (93)

Drafted third-overall in 2016 Joey Bosa is from a long line of football players. His grandfather was a guard for the Baltimore Colts in the 60s, and his father was a defensive end for Miami in the late 80s. Bosa arrived in the NFL as one of the most technically gifted pass rushers in a long time. With a strong repertoire of moves and an exceptional feel for the game, any shortcomings Bosa has physically is made up for in his effort and excellent use of technique. In two years in the NFL he already has 23 sacks.

Depth Chart & Full Roster

The Chargers roster isn't loaded with talent, but there are some studs dotted around the roster. On offense they have the talented Keenan Allen (94 catching, 93 short route) and Melvin Gordon (92 speed, 93 carrying), but there is also tight end Hunter Henry (87 catching, 87 spectacular catch) and deep threat Travis Benjamin (93 speed, 84 deep route). All of this talent is marshaled by quarterback Philip Rivers (93 short accuracy, 95 throw under pressure) who despite his age is still a quality option under center.

On defense Chargers have quality pass rushers on either side in Joey Bosa (95 finesse moves, 89 power moves) and Melvin Ingram (93 finesse moves, 81 power moves) that can bring the heat and force quarterbacks into bad throws. With strong cornerback options that include Casey Hayward (90 man coverage, 93 zone coverage) and Jason Verrett (86 man coverage, 86 zone coverage) that is a really nice combination. The Chargers used their first round pick this year on safety Derwin James (90 hit power, 81 man coverage) who brings some versatility to the position. The defense does lack severely at linebacker though.

Los Angeles Chargers Playbook - Offense

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I Form Pro

I Form Slot Flex

I Form Tight

I Form Twin TE

Strong I - Pro

Strong I - Wing

Weak I - Pro

Weak I - Wing

Singleback - Ace

Singleback - Ace Pair

Singleback - Bunch

Singleback - Deuce Close

Singleback - Dice Slot

Singleback - Wing Pair

Singleback - Wing Slot

Singleback - Wing Tight

Singleback - Y Trips

Pistol - Trips

Pistol - Wing

Shotgun - Bunch

Shotgun - Doubles

Shotgun - Doubles HB Wk

Shotgun - Doubles Y-Flex

Shotgun - Empty Base Flex

Shotgun - Empty Trey Stack

Shotgun - Spread Flex Wk

Shotgun - Tight

Shotgun - Trey Y Iso

Shotgun - Trips TE

Shotgun - Trips TE Flex

Shotgun - Trips Y-Flex

Shotgun - Wing Stack

Shotgun - Y Off Trips Wk

Shotgun - Y Trips Wk

The Chargers offensive playbook doesn't seem overly special at first glance, but it is very well balanced and has a couple of really nice formations in it that can be schemed into strong offensive game plans. Singleback Deuce Close is always a good formation and offers a lot of run variations and play action passes. Shotgun Trips TE includes the money play PA Shot Post and there are runs like Strong I Wing HB Toss that are a guaranteed 5 yards minimum if you read the blocks correctly.

Los Angeles Chargers Playbook - Defense

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4-3 Normal

4-3 Over

4-3 Over Plus

4-3 Under

4-3 Wide 9

46 Normal

Nickel Normal

Nickel Double A Gap

Nickel Wide 9

Big Nickel Over G

Dime Normal

Quarter Normal

Quarter 3 Deep

Dollar 3-2-6

Goal Line Defense 5-3-3

Goal Line Defense 5-4-2

The Chargers defensive playbook is, like the offensive one, unspectacular on the surface. Unfortunately, it is also unspectacular underneath as well. There is little that makes it stand out against other 4-3 playbooks and while there is a good mix of trap coverages and nice blitz looks there is little unexpected that you can throw at an opponent. You would be better served by using the Jaguars playbook if you want to keep this team as a 4-3 defense.