Player
Elijah Molden
DB · Chargers
Elijah Molden: facts drawn from the play-by-play.
5 seasons, 2 teams — Titans nickel turned Chargers safety.
TrendMolden by season
| Season | Team | G | Solo | PDs | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | TEN | 15 | 39 | 4 | 1 |
| 2022 | TEN | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | TEN | 14 | 40 | 4 | 1 |
| 2024 | LAC | 15 | 38 | 7 | 0 |
| 2025 | LAC | 13 | 27 | 1 | 0 |
Molden was a 3rd-round Titans pick in 2021 (Pick 100, Washington) — a slot/nickel corner who quickly became a starter. A high-ankle sprain wiped out most of his 2022 (just 2 games), but he bounced back in 2023 with 40 solo tackles and 4 PDs.
The Chargers acquired him via trade in 2024 and moved him to safety under Jesse Minter. His first Bolts season produced 7 PDs in 15 games — a coverage uptick that suggested the position switch worked.
148 career solo tackles in 59 games — 2.5 per game from a slot/nickel/safety hybrid.
SplitCareer regular season
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Games | 59 |
| Solo tackles | 148 |
| Assist tackles | 7 |
| TFL | 4 |
| QB Hits | 2 |
| Pass Defenses | 16 |
| Forced Fumbles | 2 |
| Fumble Recoveries | 4 |
Molden's 4 career fumble recoveries stand out — a high turnover-luck number for a 5-year DB. Combined with 2 forced fumbles, he's been around the ball a lot for a player who's never been more than a complementary starter.
The 2.5 solo tackles per game is a typical line for a sub-package corner who fills against the run from the slot — solid, durable, secondary-starter production.
2024 was his best coverage year — 7 PDs after the trade to LAC.
MilestoneThe trade from Tennessee to the Chargers in 2024 was a fit-driven move: Minter's defense uses two-high safety shells that fit Molden's range and instincts.
2024: 7 pass defenses in 15 games — a career high, and his most efficient coverage season. The 2025 number dipped to 1 PD across 13 games, partly reflecting fewer targets at a deeper alignment.
2022 was a black hole — 2 games, then done.
AnomalyAfter a strong rookie year (15 games, 39 tackles, 4 PDs), Molden's 2022 was effectively erased by injury: 2 games, 4 solo tackles, 1 PD, no other counting stats.
It's the only "missing year" on his five-season ledger — every other season he's been a starter or rotational starter with 13+ games. The injury cost him a year of development on a Titans defense that had openings at slot.
Picked one spot ahead of Talanoa Hufanga (212th, SF) — both 3rd-round 2021 DBs, different trajectories.
ComparisonMolden was Pick 100, Hufanga was Pick 180 — both 3rd-rounders in 2021. Hufanga went All-Pro by Year 2; Molden has been a quietly steady starter.
Career tackles: Molden 148 solo + 7 assist (over 59 games); Hufanga has had higher peaks but more injury time. Molden's edge: availability — 59 games to Hufanga's 53 across the same 5 seasons, and a position-flex profile (nickel → safety) that's kept him on the field on two different schemes.
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