Chargers CB Donte Jackson deserves more love, says analyst

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: Donte Jackson #26 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks on during an NFL wild card playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the best secondaries in the league with Derwin James leading the way.

James is the focal point of the secondary, but there are some really solid players around him that don't get as much love as the All-Pro safety. Among those defensive backs is veteran cornerback Donte Jackson, whom NFL.com writer Gennaro Filice named the most underappreciated player on the roster.

A seasoned veteran who's made 106 starts in eight NFL campaigns, Jackson might have just enjoyed his best season yet, logging four interceptions and 12 pass breakups (both team highs) while Pro Football Focus credited him with a sparkling 58.5 passer rating against. That's prime production at a premium position, making last offseason's two-year, $13 million deal look like highway robbery for the Chargers," Filice wrote.

The 30-year-old's vast experience could prove evenmorecrucial in the wake of Jesse Minter's departure to become head coach of the Ravens, with 34-year-old Chris O'Leary coordinating an NFL defense for the first time. Jackson gives Los Angeles a steady presence in coverage, while former fifth-round findsTarheeb StillandCam Hartcontinue to develop their respective games in Year 3.

Jackson has one year remaining on his $13 million contract, so he will need to put his best foot forward in 2026. If he plays like he did in 2025, the Chargers will have a great case to extend him at some point during the season, or he may sign a lucrative deal with another NFL team next spring.