The Chargers have another month before they trim their roster down to 53 players for the start of the regular season.
Until then, they still have three preseason games and four more weeks of training camp to prove to the coaching staff they’re worthy of a spot.
With the first week of practice behind us, I’m giving my latest projection of the 53-man roster. Keep in mind, that it’s difficult to make an accurate assessment because the pads weren’t on in Week 1.
For now, here’s who I see making the squad next month.
Quarterback (2): Justin Herbert, Easton Stick
No changes from my initial projection. I see the Chargers keeping two quarterbacks, with Max Duggan being a practice squad candidate.
Running back (5): Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Kimani Vidal, Jaret Patterson, Ben Mason (FB)
No changes. Edwards and Dobbins have an injury history, which means that the Chargers will likely roster four running backs. I’m giving the nod to Patterson over Isaiah Spiller after getting reps with the first-team offense last Thursday. Patterson spent most of last year on the team’s practice squad.
Wide receiver (6): Josh Palmer, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, D.J. Chark, Derius Davis, Brenden Rice
This is a position that could end up having seven players. But for now, I’m still assuming that only six are rostered. I had Rice in my initial projection and I am still sticking with him after flashing in the first week.
Tight end (4): Will Dissly, Hayden Hurst, Donald Parham Jr., Stone Smartt
Training camp hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for Parham, who has been sidelined with an injury. I initially had Zach Heins, the undrafted free agent out of South Dakota State, getting the final spot. But because of Parham’s injury concerns, Smartt gets it because of his receiving prowess.
Offensive line (9): Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Trey Pipkins, Joe Alt, Brenden Jaimes, Jamaree Salyer, Jordan McFadden, Alex Leatherwood
No changes. It’ll be easier to make evaluations when the pads come on.
Edge rusher (4): Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree
No changes.
Interior defensive line (5): Poona Ford, Morgan Fox, Justin Eboigbe, Otito Ogbonnia, Chris Hinton
I had Hinton in my initial projection and that doesn’t change, as he got some looks with the first-team defense last week.
Linebacker (5): Denzel Perryman, Junior Colson, Daiyan Henley, Nick Niemann, Troy Dye
No changes.
Cornerback (6): Asante Samuel Jr., Kristian Fulton, Ja’Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard, Cam Hart, Tarheeb Still
No changes.
Safety (4): Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, Tony Jefferson, AJ Finley
I had undrafted free agent Akeem Dent making the roster in my initial projection, but Finley gets the spot over him because he got some run as the third safety alongside Derwin James and Alohi Gilman last week. Plus, he was a core special teamer last season.
Specialists (3): Cameron Dicker (K), JK Scott (P), Josh Harris (LS)