Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz took a good look around once they got settled into their new jobs last winter as coach and general manager of the Chargers. They liked what they saw on defense, but believed they could do better with a few key additions to a few significant positions on the roster.

After all, the Chargers’ defense, while not the worst in the 32-team NFL during the 2023 season, was close to the bottom. The Chargers were 24th in points given up per game (23.4). They were 28th in net yards given up per game (362.9). They were 30th in passing yardage given up per game (249.8).

So, Hortiz went to work by adding veteran pass rusher Bud Dupree to provide depth beyond Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa and Tuli Tuipulotu, an emerging talent who filled in capably as a rookie from USC for an injured Bosa midway through the year. Bosa sat out the final seven games last season.

Hortiz also signed defensive lineman Poona Ford and cornerback Kristian Fulton.

But he wasn’t done – not by a long shot.

Denzel Perryman was signed to add depth at linebacker and the same went for Troy Dye. Scott Matlock, a defensive lineman, was given an additional role as a fullback, swapping his old uniform No. 99 for No. 44. Matlock maintained his gig as an important special teams player, too.

In addition, Hortiz drafted linebacker Junior Colson from Michigan, defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe from Alabama and defensive backs Cam Hart from Notre Dame and Tarheeb Still from Maryland. Hortiz wasn’t content, so he kept looking for talent even as training camp ended.

Here’s a look at the Chargers’ defense heading into the 2024 regular season, which begins Sunday afternoon against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium:

Defensive linemen: Morgan Fox, Poona Ford, Otito Ogbonnia, Scott Matlock, Justin Eboigbe, Teair Tart

The Chargers were actually a middle-of-the-pack team when it came to defending the opposition’s ground game during the 2023 season. They ranked 17th against the run, giving up 113.2 yards per game. They also were 13th in red zone touchdown defense (59.94%). But by signing Ford and Tart and drafting Eboigbe, they filled a few gaps intended to make the defensive line stronger than in the past. Fox, Ogbonnia and Matlock were the only returners. By the looks of it, going into Sunday’s opener, this group is stronger and deeper.

Edge rushers: Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree

Mack set a career high with 17 sacks last season, reaching 101.5 for his Hall of Fame-caliber career. It’s unlikely he’ll repeat that sort of menacing performance in 2024. He is, after all, 32 and has played 10 seasons at a physically demanding position. Overlook him at your own peril, though. He looked as fit as ever during training camp, breaking down the Chargers’ new and improved offensive line during drills and getting close enough to their quarterbacks to make them a little nervous despite the yellow no-contact jerseys they wore. Bosa broke his left hand during camp and underwent surgery, but he said recently that he’s sound enough to start the season Sunday. Tuipulotu and Dupree give the Chargers depth they lacked beyond Mack and Bosa in the past. Chris Rumph II will start the season on injured reserve.

Linebackers: Daiyan Henley, Denzel Perryman, Junior Colson, Troy Dye

Henley barely saw the field as a rookie last season, but performed well in a special teams role. The new regime installed him as a starter and he was excellent in training camp, making plenty of observers wonder why former coach Brandon Staley limited him to only a handful of snaps at linebacker during the 2023 season. Perryman began his career with the Chargers, who drafted him in the second round in 2015, when they were still based in San Diego. After two seasons with the Raiders and one with the Houston Texans, he’s back with the Chargers. Colson was sidelined for most of his first NFL camp after undergoing an appendectomy during the offseason, but he was a forceful presence upon his return to the practice field. Dye spent the past four seasons largely as a backup while with the Minnesota Vikings, and he’ll be asked to accept a similar role with the Chargers for the upcoming season.

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Defensive backs: Asante Samuel Jr., Kristian Fulton, Derwin James Jr., Alohi Gilman, Deane Leonard, Ja’Sir Taylor, Cam Hart, AJ Finley, Elijah Molden, Tarheeb Still

If there were any doubts as to who might play opposite Samuel at cornerback, Fulton eased them within, what, hours of the start of camp? Minutes? Seconds? It was that quick. So, that problem was solved. James and Gilman formed a starting tandem at safety at some point during the 2022 season. Leonard made an impression as a special teams player over the past few seasons, but also showed himself to be a valuable defensive back. Taylor has been a versatile DB, too. Finley is the only other defensive back from last season’s roster, and he also was primarily a special teams player. Hart and Still were drafted to add talent and depth. Molden was acquired in a trade from the Tennessee Titans during training camp.