The Chargers are a week away from finalizing their 53-man roster for the 2022 regular season after evaluating players through 17 team practices, two joint practices and three preseason games.
Inspired by The Athletic’s Bo Wulf, who ranked all 84 Eagles by their offseason performance, the Chargers Wire staff ranked all 80 remaining players by the same criteria, putting them in various categories which factor players coming in and the stakes involved.
Won a starting job
1. Joshua Palmer
If we were ranking the best players in training camp, Palmer would still be at the top. Palmer solidified himself as an integral piece of the offense this summer. The former third-rounder shined in practices and built a solid rapport with Justin Herbert, and in preseason play by consistently separating from defensive backs with Keenan Allen-like routes and catching everything thrown in his direction. Palmer’s all-around skill set should see him thrive as the Z receiver this season, with his impressive route running, reliability, and ball skills.
2. Trey Pipkins III
I said it before the summer, but I believed that Pipkins had the leg up for the starting right tackle job over Storm Norton. Pipkins played well in his only two starts in 2021, and spent this offseason working with highly touted offensive line developer Duke Manyweather. He carried that over to the summer, showing consistency in pass protection, allowing just one pressure in the first two preseason games and faring well against Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
Should have earned a roster spot
3. Breiden Fehoko
One of the better run defenders from last year’s team made plenty of strides this summer. Building on his strong 2021 campaign, Fehoko racked up tackles for losses, split double teams, and made life for the second-team offensive line difficult. However, he looked more technically refined as a pass rusher. I think he’s made his case to make the 53-man roster.
4. Michael Bandy
Having six wide receivers on the 53-man roster wasn’t a discussion entering the summer. Bandy is the reason there is one. After a stellar preseason opener against the Rams, Bandy followed that up with another eye-popping performance, catching eight passes on nine targets for 69 yards and a touchdown. If Bandy doesn’t make the cut, don’t be surprised if he’s on another roster because a player like him who runs NFL-quality routes is not going left unnoticed.
Newcomer, exceeded expectations
5. DeAndre Carter
Carter was signed primarily to be a return specialist, or so we thought. He showed up to training camp and immediately looked like the Chargers’ fourth-best receiver, cementing himself a role on the offense and special teams.
6. Bryce Callahan
Adding more talent in the cornerback room was a priority for Brandon Staley this offseason. Callahan proved to be worth the investment. He broke up multiple passes since the start. Staying healthy is key for Callahan, who has played very well when he’s seen the field. He’s landed on injured reserve with an array of lower-body injuries in the past three seasons, including last season when a knee injury robbed him of six games.
7. Jamal Davis II
With Kyle Van Noy playing inside linebacker this summer, the Chargers will look to keep a fourth edge defender on the roster, and Davis has proved himself to be that guy. There aren’t a lot of tools in his bag as a pass rusher, but Davis has been impactful as a run defender with his power to set firm edges and effort to chase down plays.
8. Khalil Mack
Mack is as advertised, a game-changer on the edge. After suffering a foot injury last season, Mack looks healthy and has given fits as a pass rusher and has been stout against the run. While he may not return to his Defensive Player of the Year-caliber of play, Mack, opposite Joey Bosa, will still present a player capable of boosting a group that ranked 25th in pressure rate and 28th in run defense a season ago.
9. Zion Johnson
Johnson was drafted to strengthen the offensive line, which is what he’s shown to do right off the bat. He has held his own in pass protection with his outstanding combination of power, smarts, and agility. But he’s been elite as a run defender in preseason action, which should be a huge boost for the right side that struggled in that department last season.
10. Jamaree Salyer
Salyer has been arguably the most impressive rookie on the roster, showing awareness usually reserved for longtime offensive line veterans. The sixth rounder looks like the future at left guard, even with Matt Feiler locked in until the end of 2023.
11. Zander Horvath
Horvath, the seventh-round pick, competed with Gabe Nabers for the starting fullback job, and the signs are pointing to the rookie winning the competition. Horvath has been playing with the first team on special teams. In contrast, Nabers has primarily played in a tight end role.
Better than ever
12. Chris Rumph II
One of the storylines of the summer was Rumph’s added weight and strength after boasting a lean and lanky frame during his rookie campaign. That translated to the practice field. On top of his athleticism, more power popped in Rumph’s pass rushes and when setting the edge against the run. He showed he will be a reliable rotational edge defender behind Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack in 2022.
13. Joshua Kelley
It was thought that rookie Isaiah Spiller would win the job as the second running back. However, Kelley steadily emerged as the front runner. Kelley’s offseason program, which helped him gain weight, translated to the field. Kelley has looked more physical, elusive and decisive as a runner, breaking through tackles and making defenders miss. In the passing game, he has caught the ball well and improved in pass protection, an area Kelley struggled with early on in his career.
14. Easton Stick
Keeping three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster was always likely. But Stick is making a strong push for the second quarterback on the depth chart over Chase Daniel. Stick put on one of the best performances in a Chargers uniform in the preseason opener against the Rams. His athleticism was on display. But what stood out was his improvement as a passer. He showed great feel in the pocket and was quick to get the ball out
15. Michael Davis
Davis entered this summer as the fourth cornerback on the depth chart after serving as the No. 1 last season following the offseason additions of J.C. Jackson and Bryce Callahan. But as the saying goes, no pressure, no diamonds. That is what Davis has lived by, as he’s responded to all the added competition with very promising play on the field. He’s looked sticky in coverage and has gotten his hands on the football. If Jackson is out for the first and even the second game of the season, Davis will start on the outside opposite Asante Samuel Jr. However, he’s earned the right to be deemed CB2.
Surprised, maybe won a roster spot
16. Ja’Sir Taylor
Taylor started hot in OTAs and training camp, then cooled off equally quickly. After a personal coaching session from Staley before one practice, he’s improved. He executed on a slot blitz on Saturday for a tackle for loss and has shown flashes as a gunner in live-game action. In the final practice, Taylor further made his case to make the 53-man roster by picking off Justin Herbert in 11-on-11.
17. Deane Leonard
Leonard was praised for his coverage skills throughout training camp. However, Leonard was the primary culprit for the Chargers’ uneven play in the secondary in the preseason opener against the Rams. Despite staying on receiver’s hips and being in a good position along the boundary, Leonard struggled to get his head around often, which led to a couple of big plays. He also had some hiccups as a tackler against the Rams. While he is still raw, Leonard’s flashes are legit, and he has the potential to develop into a capable depth piece on the outside.
18. Ryan Hunter
Hunter seemed to be firmly on the outside looking in entering camp, but he’s been impressive in camp and in the first preseason game. Although he struggled against the Cowboys, Brenden Jaimes did also. It’s possible Hunter makes the team over Jaimes or Will Clapp.
Stayed healthy
19. Justin Herbert
Herbert has been as advertised this offseason and there seem to be no barriers to a potential MVP-caliber season. Developing chemistry with his receiving corps has been his main focus.
20. Rashawn Slater
Slater was phenomenal as a rookie, earning a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team, a Pro Bowl selection, and second-team All-Pro. But, with nothing to prove, Slater won’t log a single preseason snap. Instead, he got plenty of valuable reps against Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, and Cowboys’ Micah Parsons, continuing to show great technique with his upper and lower half, functional strength and agility to keep them at bay.
21. Joey Bosa
Bosa’s main goal this offseason has been building a rapport with new pass rush partner Khalil Mack. As one of the faces of the franchise, he’s looked the part while resting for preseason action.
22. Keenan Allen
Ekeler has been his usual self, rarely losing a rep in practice. The most newsworthy thing about his offseason has been the high praise heaped on him by fellow players after being named to the NFL Top 100 list.
23. Austin Ekeler
Ekeler said in OTAs that he wanted another running back to come and challenge him, forcing him to lighten his workload because another player deserved to be on the field. So far, that hasn’t proven to be the case, and Ekeler should once again receive the majority of the carries.
24. Derwin James Jr.
James ended his hold-in last week after becoming the league’s new highest-paid safety. Through the few practices he’s participated in, the consensus seems to be that Derwin looks like Derwin.
25. Sebastian Joseph-Day
Joseph-Day was acquired to bolster a struggling interior defensive line from a season ago. Joseph-Day has 55 defensive stops since 2020, tied for 15th. Every other player in the Top 15 has at least 1,000 snaps over the span, whereas he’s put up 55 stops on just 728 snaps. In team drills and the joint practices against the Cowboys, Joseph’s speed, power, and violent hands enabled him to win one-on-one matchups and eat-up blockers.
26. Mike Williams
Williams is coming off arguably his most productive season to date, as he set career highs with 76 receptions and 1,146 receiving yards. As a result, Williams signed a three-year, $60 million contract extension this offseason. A large part of his breakout year was his new role as the ‘X’ receiver under offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, where he attacked in the short and intermediate areas of the field and ran various routes instead of strictly 50-50 situations. He has carried that to the summer, as he went up against and won a handful of reps against cornerback J.C. Jackson.
27. Austin Johnson
Johnson was added to improve the run defense, which is what his physical and imposing presence has enabled as the clog of the line in team drills and in the joint practices with the Cowboys.
28. Josh Harris
Harris was signed this offseason after six seasons with the Falcons. He has appeared in nine punt and four field goal snaps this preseason. Nothing notable from Harris.
29. JK Scott
As part of the Chargers’ special teams reconstruction, they signed Scott this offseason. The addition seems to pay off, as Scott has been kicking nothing but moonshots all summer long. In two preseason games, Scott’s average hangtime is a whopping 4.84 seconds.
30. Dustin Hopkins
After being let go of by the Commanders midway through the 2021 season, Hopkins was picked up by the Chargers. In 11 games, he converted 18 of 20 field-goal attempts and 30 of 32 extra-point tries. Pleased with the product, Los Angeles re-signed him to a three-year extension. Hopkins’ only competition, James McCourt, was waived after the second preseason game. This preseason, Hopkins has made an extra point and a field goal from 23 yards out. On four kickoffs, two have been returned, with an average field position of 41.3.
31. Kyle Van Noy
The Chargers signed Van Noy because they feel like he has the versatility to play both off the ball and at edge rusher. While injuries belittled the position group, Van Noy has been playing exclusively off the ball at inside linebacker. This season, he is in the center of the defense in many roles, whether it’s playing the run, zone coverage, or rushing the passer.
32. Corey Linsley
Tom Telesco’s decision to shell out the bag to Linsley proved to be a genius move, as Linsley was an integral piece to the Chargers’ offensive success last season. Linsley finished with the second-best grade at center in 2021. This summer, Linsley has been given the veteran treatment, with sporadic days off. But he has benefited from reps against the newest additions, Joseph-Day and Johnson.
33. Matt Feiler
There were some off-season rumblings of Feiler moving to right tackle, but he is keeping the left side of the line intact by sticking at guard. One of the team’s most consistent linemen, Feiler produced the 12th highest overall Pro Football Focus grade in the league last season. He has carried that over to camp, especially in the joint practice against the Cowboys, getting wins against Osa Odighizuwa and Dante Fowler, Jr.
34. Gerald Everett
The Chargers returned nearly all of their skill players from last season, but they did make one addition by signing Everett to replace Jared Cook as the team’s top tight end. He and Justin Herbert have steadily built a solid rapport this summer. Everett will be someone who will move all over the formation and be used in various ways, with vertical and horizontal field-stretching capabilities, yards-after-the-catch ability, and the toughness to make contested catches.
35. Nasir Adderley
It’s a bit of a prove-it season for Adderley, whose contract is up following the season. LA drafted his presumptive replacement JT Woods in the third round, but Woods has been slow to get going as a rookie. That could result in a modest extension for the former second-rounder, or he could be auditioning for a new team in 2023.
Banged up
36. JC Jackson
The Chargers used the offseason to load up on talent on defense, but arguably their most significant addition was Jackson. In camp, Jackson primarily drew the assignment of Mike Williams. While Williams got the best of Jackson at times, Jackson’s lockdown cover skills and nose for the football showed quite a bit. However, Los Angeles will be without Jackson for a little bit after he underwent ankle surgery. His estimated return to play is approximately 2-4 weeks.
37. Drue Tranquill
Tranquill dealt with a groin injury which kept him out of the action for a handful of practices. He did get some reps in the joint practices with the Cowboys where he came up with some run stops. Tranquill didn’t play in the first two preseason games, nor will he in the finale. He will start the season alongside Kyle Van Noy in nickel packages and core special teamer.
38. Isaiah Spiller
Spiller, the fourth-round pick, dazzled his pass-catching skills early on in camp. When live contact was permitted in the preseason opener, showed great vision and power – finding small creases and running through them. He ran for 34 yards on ten carries and caught one pass for 10 yards. Unfortunately, an ankle injury sustained in the second game hampered his chances of winning the second running back spot. Spiller was deemed “week to week,” and he may miss the season opener. Upon returning, he should ease into splitting the reps with Kelley.
39. Nick Niemann
Niemann spent several days on the sideline with an undisclosed injury, including the preseason opener. In the second preseason game, he started alongside Troy Reeder, recording three tackles and a run stop. Even if Niemann isn’t a defensive contributor this season, he will be a special teams ace. He finished with 14 special teams tackles on coverage units, which tied for fourth-most in the NFL in his rookie season.
40. Donald Parham Jr.
Parham looked like he had continued the momentum of the step forward he took before suffering a concussion late last season. Unfortunately, he’s been dealing with a hamstring injury since before the preseason started. He should be healthy in time for Week 1.
41. Kenneth Murray Jr.
Murray just came off the PUP list on Tuesday, but his delayed return has brought into question what exactly his role will be this season. With Van Noy taking most of the reps at MIKE, does Murray split time with Tranquill at WILL? Do all three see the field at once? Perhaps a tighter snap count will get more production out of the former first-rounder.
42. Tre’ McKitty
It wasn’t a great time to get injured for McKitty, who missed about two weeks early in August before returning to practice last week. We never got much clarification on what the injury was beyond a “soft tissue” problem, per Brandon Staley, but the preseason reps that would have been available to McKitty with Everett resting and Parham out would have been key for his development.
43. Mark Webb Jr.
Before getting hurt, Webb was making noise early on in camp. However, Webb’s latest injury makes you begin to wonder how much longer the Chargers keep him on the active roster. It’s only his second season, and the coaching staff clearly believes in his talent, but he’s beginning to earn a reputation for not being able to stay on the field. With Alohi Gilman and JT Woods locks for the roster, Webb will have to make the team as the fifth safety.
Treaded water
44. Joe Reed
Reed had a nice game against the Rams in Week 1 of the preseason but was only targeted once against the Cowboys. He’s also had a few special teams miscues, including a bobbled kickoff that pinned the Chargers deep in their own territory. With the emergence of Bandy this preseason, Reed looks like he’s headed for another year on the practice squad if he isn’t claimed by someone else.
45. Troy Reeder
Reeder has been pretty much as expected: decent depth at linebacker, although he has been starting for stretches in practice because of all the injuries. Signed as a special teams ace, Reeder hasn’t shined in that area yet, but his stock is exactly where it was when the Chargers signed him.
46. Raheem Layne
When Derwin James sat out while the team negotiated his contract extension and Mark Webb remained out with an injury, the opportunity became more available at safety, which Layne took advantage of. Layne showed great coverage skills against the likes of Gerald Everett, Donald Parham and DeAndre Carter and in the run game. He has been quiet in the preseason games, but Layne might warrant the fifth safety spot if Webb remains sidelined.
47. Emeke Egbule
With seven pressures against the Rams, Egbule seemed to be making a pretty convincing case for the fourth edge defender role and a spot on the 53-man roster. Then you look a few columns to the right and see he missed four tackles in that game, then he misses the Cowboys game due to injury.
48. Otito Ogbonnia
Ogbonnia, the fifth-round pick, has gotten some time with the first-team defense and looked pretty decent, including a sack against Dak Prescott in joint practices with the Cowboys last week. He’s also racked up three pressures across the two preseason games.
49. Joe Gaziano
I feel bad for Gaziano at this point because I do think he’s a good player, but he’s kind of stuck in this loop of eternal practice squad-dom. After generating two pressures and a sack in only five chances against the Cowboys, you’d think he’s closer to making the roster. But he’s still the seventh interior defender, at best, and his best shot of making the team involves both Jerry Tillery and Christian Covington getting the boot.
50. Carlo Kemp
Kemp got a lot of reps Saturday because of the injuries to Emeke Egbule and the since-waived/injured Ty Shelby. He converted on that opportunity with three pressures and a QB hit in 16 pure pass rush snaps while looking like a stout run defender. He’s still a distant EDGE6 behind Jamal Davis II and Egbule, but his performance looks more like he’s winning a practice squad spot.
51. Jalen Guyton
This was Guyton’s season to claim the WR4 job, but DeAndre Carter seems to have supplanted him there. Guyton has primarily been working as a gunner this preseason.
52. Christian Covington
Covington has been virtually the same player he was last season, for better and worse. Breiden Fehoko might have taken his job due to the latter’s standout plays against the run, but Covington is still a solid veteran presence. I have next to no idea if he’s going to make the team.
53. Amen Ogbongbemiga
Ogbongbemiga has also missed a few practices. Monday, I would’ve said he should go lower on this list because of the emergence of Damon Lloyd. But Lloyd was waived/injured on Tuesday with an undisclosed injury. Ogbongbemiga still has upside as a special teamer and depth piece.
54. Alohi Gilman
Gilman has kind of acquired the third safety job via attrition at this point. He hasn’t been particularly good, but JT Woods has been slow to adjust to the NFL game, and Mark Webb is injured. That leaves Gilman in the two-high role next to Nasir Adderley when Derwin James starts moving around the formation.
55. Hunter Kampmoyer
Much like Gilman, Kampmoyer seems to have found his way to a roster spot without necessarily being a remarkable performer. The injury to Parham could necessitate Kampmoyer’s inclusion on the initial 53 as the de facto third tight end. He’s also been a starter on kickoff coverage units.
56. Trevon Bradford
Bradford had a nice catch and run with a beautiful juke move on Saturday. That followed a diving grab past Tevaughn Campbell that got the whole team buzzing two weeks ago in practice. Besides those two moments, things have been pretty quiet for the undrafted free agent, but he could be in the mix for a practice squad spot.
57. Andrew Brown
Brown has been quiet except for getting into a fight with Ryan Hunter a few weeks ago. He did have one pressure against the Rams and has had a few nice run stops, but he’s at best, practice squad material.
58. Kemon Hall
Hall missed practice on Tuesday, which is unfortunate considering the opportunity currently open at cornerback with the other injuries going on. He’s been in the rotation at gunner with a bunch of guys with much more secure roster spots.
59. Cole Christiansen
Christiansen’s spot on the practice squad may still be in play with Lloyd currently on waivers and likely on injured reserve once he clears them. The former Army linebacker struggled mightily against the Rams but did have PFF’s second-highest grade of Chargers defenders against the Cowboys.
60. Foster Sarell
Sarell pretty handily won his “backup” left tackle job back from Zack Bailey on Saturday, giving up just one pressure in 38 pass blocking snaps. “Backup” because the real backup is Storm Norton, who took the second team reps there while Trey Pipkins worked entirely with the starters for the second consecutive day Tuesday. However, it does mean Sarell is likely the practice squad tackle.
61. Sage Surratt
Since a good showing in the Chargers’ intrasquad scrimmage, Surratt has been all but anonymous. He’s a potential practice squad addition if the Chargers feel as though he has more room to grow at tight end, a position he’s played for less than 12 months after converting from wide receiver while in the USFL this spring.
62. Ben DeLuca
DeLuca has primarily been a special teamer with the Chargers and seems to have been all but supplanted with the arrival of rookies JT Woods and Raheem Layne. He’s been lost in the shuffle this offseason.
63. Erik Krommenhoek
Apart from the plays that I watch upwards of hundreds of times as I beg NFL+ to play through a single time, I have not noticed Krommenhoek at all. He’s primarily a blocking tight end who could crack the practice squad as additional depth if Kampmoyer makes the 53.
64. Jason Moore Jr.
Moore had a few open drops in Saturday’s game, a disappointing result for a player the Chargers have kept around for multiple years now. This may be his final year as a member of the team as younger players with higher developmental ceilings cycle in.
Disappointed, role still the same
65. Morgan Fox
Fox did nothing to pry a starting role away from Jerry Tillery during training camp, then showed up in the first two preseason games to wrest control of the first team’s five-tech spot. He’s been plenty productive in live-game action, but his subpar training camp, on the whole, lands him here.
66. Will Clapp
Clapp looked like a man on the roster bubble after the Rams game, especially with Ryan Hunter looking more proficient and taking center reps. With a rebound performance against the Cowboys, I think offensive line coach Brendan Nugent will lean towards the familiar. Clapp spent time in New Orleans with Nugent previously.
67. Chase Daniel
“Role” here more means player-coach because I do think Daniel’s role as Herbert’s backup is in jeopardy. The 35-year-old’s arm has looked spent this preseason while Easton Stick has shown flashes of being a competent NFL passer.
68. Leddie Brown
Brown finally got some playing time in the second half of the Cowboys game after receiving one carry against the Rams. With a key false start on third down, he didn’t do much to endear himself to the coaching staff.
69. Kevin Marks Jr.
We thought in May that either Brown or Marks had a chance to make an impression and win the fourth running back spot, but Marks has played even less than Brown has. He got his first carries of the preseason Saturday, taking four attempts for a measly 10 yards.
70. Tyreek Maddox-Williams
Maddox-Williams has been working mostly on special teams as a rookie undrafted free agent and was on the field for one of KaVontae Turpin’s return touchdowns on Saturday. He also picked up a pass interference penalty against the Rams on a third down when he failed to get his head around as the ball arrived.
71. Zack Bailey
Bailey looked lost on Saturday. Los Angeles’ starter at left tackle, he gave up a pressure that led to Easton Stick’s early interception. On the right side in the second half, he lost instantly to Dallas’ seventh pass rusher Mika Tafua and got Chase Daniel crushed.
72. Brandon Sebastian
Sebastian has been opposing quarterback’s target of choice through two preseason games and had a pass interference penalty that negated an interception against the Rams.
Disappointed, role uncertain
73. Asante Samuel Jr.
This was billed as the breakout year for Samuel, who played well as a rookie before a concussion slowed his momentum. He doesn’t appear to have taken that step forward, while Michael Davis has looked like the player the Chargers gave a contract extension, not the one on the field last season. With JC Jackson potentially missing the first two games of the year, Samuel will likely still have a chance to start. But for how long?
74. JT Woods
It’s easy to see why the Chargers drafted Woods from his preseason tape. He can get anywhere on the field whenever you need him to. But his instincts have looked a tick slow and his confidence to finish plays has been virtually nonexistent. That sort of hesitancy as a tackler will not play in the NFL.
75. Larry Rountree III
The indication seems to be that the Chargers will keep four running backs – Austin Ekeler, Isaiah Spiller, Joshua Kelley, and Rountree. But the second-year man has looked like a distant fourth in the competition this offseason, and I question if his role could not be filled by Horvath, who played running back with a similar style to Rountree while at Purdue.
76. Jerry Tillery
I think Tillery is going to make the Chargers’ 53-man roster. Beyond that, I have no idea what is going to happen. Maybe he splits snaps with Fox. Maybe he’s a backup and leaves quietly into the night as a free agent next spring. Maybe he miraculously turns into the player Los Angeles thought he would be when they spent a first-round pick on him.
77. Brenden Jaimes
I think Jaimes will make the roster, but his spot looks more uncertain the longer I look at the depth chart. Beyond the five starters and Storm Norton, rookie Jamaree Salyer seems to be the only roster lock. That leaves Jaimes, Will Clapp, and Ryan Hunter battling for two spots. One of Clapp or Hunter will make the team because Jaimes can’t play center. Things get dicey if the other one makes the roster over the former Cornhusker.
Lost a job
78. Storm Norton
This isn’t a fair ranking for Norton because technically he has improved this offseason. But Trey Pipkins improved more, and now Norton will be relegated to the bench. He’s simply not a starting caliber pass protector.
79. Gabe Nabers
Although their snap split was more even against the Cowboys, everything else points towards Zander Horvath winning the fullback job. While Nabers is a good locker room piece as a close friend of Justin Herbert’s, that can only get you so far.
Too soon to know
80. Michael Jacquet
Jacquet was signed on Tuesday as additional corner depth given the litany of injuries at the position. Waived on August 14th by the Giants, Jacquet has played in one preseason game this season and is likely more of a special teams play and injury fill-in for Friday’s game against the Saints.