Way-too-early 53-man roster projection for the Chargers

Here is a way-too-early initial 53-man roster projection for the Chargers with the roster-building now in the rearview mirror.

Jobs won’t be won or lost during off-season workouts. Instead, they will be determined in training camp and preseason action, which begins in a couple months.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s too early to speculate how I believe the Chargers roster will shape up.

Without further ado, here’s my much-too-early 53-man roster prediction.

Quarterbacks (3): Justin Herbert, Easton Stick, Max Duggan

The Chargers have carried three quarterbacks on the active roster in eight out of the ten seasons that Tom Telesco has been the general manager.

Running backs (3): Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller

Ekeler is locked up for the 2023 season after he and the Chargers agreed to contract revisions that allow him to earn up to $1.75 million in incentives. Kelley will enter as the No. 2 running back after showing plenty of promise last season. Spiller needs to make huge strides after not making much of an impact in his rookie campaign. Larry Rountree missed the cut because he spent most of the 2022 season on the practice squad, and I see them carrying four tight ends.

Fullbacks (1): Zander Horvath

Wide receivers (6): Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer, Jalen Guyton, Derius Davis

This is the most explosive wide receiver group that the Chargers have had in quite some time after the additions of Johnston and Davis and the return of Guyton, who missed most of last season with a torn ACL.

Tight ends (4): Gerald Everett, Donald Parham Jr., Tre’ McKitty, Stone Smartt

The Chargers return all of their tight ends from last season. This is a position that they could upgrade before training camp, as they’re lacking a true run-blocking tight end, which factored into their lackluster rushing offense in 2022.

Offensive linemen (9): Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Corey Linsley, Jamaree Salyer, Trey Pipkins, Jordan McFadden, Will Clapp, Brenden Jaimes, Foster Sarell

The Chargers have their starters locked in. The only changes are Johnson switching from right guard to left guard and Salyer moving to right guard. McFadden will compete with Jaimes for the swing guard spot. They could look to bring in another to offer competition for the swing tackle spot with Sarell.

Defensive linemen (6): Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Morgan Fox, Otito Ogbonnia, Scott Matlock, Nick Williams

Johnson and Ogbonnia are still working their way back from the season-ending injuries they sustained midway through the 2022 campaign. The Chargers signed Williams recently as depth. Undrafted free agent Jerrod Clark is a candidate to make the 53-man roster, especially if Johnson or Ogbonnia begin the season on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list.

Edge defender (4): Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipolotu, Chris Rumph II

The Chargers are hopeful that Bosa can stay healthy after dealing with a groin injury that kept him sidelined for most of last season. Tuipolotu was selected in the second round as their rotational edge defender behind Bosa and Mack. Rumph enters Year 3 and the team is hoping he can take a leap.

Linebackers (5): Eric Kendricks, Kenneth Murray, Daiyan Henley, Nick Niemann, Amen Ogbongbemiga

Kendricks headlines the Chargers’ linebacker room after the departure of Drue Tranquill, who signed with the Chiefs. Kendricks will play alongside Murray, who enters the final year of his rookie deal. Henley was selected in the third round to be a special teams ace from the jump, with the potential to get playing time on defense if Murray struggles. Niemann and Ogbongbemiga return as core special teamers.

Cornerbacks (5): JC Jackson, Michael Davis, Asante Samuel Jr., Ja’Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard

Jackson is hopeful that he can be ready by the start of training camp after missing most of last season with a ruptured patellar tendon. If not, Davis and Samuel will start on the outside with Taylor playing in the slot. Leonard provides depth and a key special teamer. This is a position group that could afford another veteran piece.

Safeties (4): Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, JT Woods, Raheem Layne

As of now, Gilman enters the season as the starter alongside James. The Chargers are hopeful that Woods can progress after a rough rookie season and develop into a starter. The team is very high on Layne. Like cornerback, the safety room would benefit from another player. John Johnson happens to be available still.

Specialists (3): Cameron Dicker, JK Scott, Josh Harris

Dicker and Dustin Hopkins are in line for a battle for the kicker job in camp. I believe Dicker wins after coming in and providing stability at the position.

Chargers’ pre-preseason 53-man roster projection

Following the first two weeks of training camp, here are our predictions for the Chargers’ 53-man roster.

The Chargers have gone through 10 days of practices and will kick off their preseason this weekend against the Rams.

So it feels like a good time for another 53-man roster projection.

Los Angeles has 90 players on its roster. They must be down to 85 players by Aug. 16, to 80 players by Aug. 23, and 53 by Aug. 30.

Here’s our latest projection:

Quarterbacks (3): Justin Herbert, Chase Daniel, Easton Stick

In a perfect world, the Chargers keep two quarterbacks and save one of those roster spots for another position group. But in reality, I believe they elect to keep three for the sake of continuity, and they could envision Stick being Herbert’s backup once Daniel retires.

Running backs (4): Austin Ekeler, Isaiah Spiller, Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree III

There has not been much to suggest who has the leg up on the battle to become Ekeler’s backup. But once preseason play begins, we will have a larger sample size to gauge. In my initial projections, I had Kevin Marks Jr. making the team, but he nor the other undrafted free agent, Leddie Brown, have generated any buzz. That could change in the coming weeks.

Fullbacks (1): Zander Horvath

The fullbacks haven’t gotten many opportunities to shine in camp up to this point, but Horvath has stood out more as a pass-catcher.

Wide receivers (5): Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Josh Palmer, DeAndre Carter, Jalen Guyton

No changes here except for where the receivers should sit on the depth chart. Palmer has played his way into the third wide receiver role, standing out with his ability to get consistently open and catch everything. Carter, who was seen as just a return man, has surpassed Guyton, given he has looked sharp catching the football and has scored more touchdowns than any pass-catcher during team period drills. Guyton has not been given many opportunities, but he has still flashed his speed.

Tight ends (3): Gerald Everett, Donald Parham, Tre’ McKitty

No changes here. However, Hunter Kampmoyer has made his case to the team to keep four tight ends. Kampmoyer has gotten reps with the first team offense and has worked as Drue Tranquill’s replacement on special teams.

Offensive line (9): Rashawn Slater, Matt Feiler, Corey Linsley, Zion Johnson, Trey Pipkins III, Storm Norton, Jamaree Salyer, Brenden Jaimes, Will Clapp

No changes here.

Defensive line (6): Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Morgan Fox, Otito Ogbonnia, Breiden Fehoko, Jerry Tillery

Joseph-Day, Johnson, and Fox are pretty much set as the starters. The real battle here is on the back end, where I’m leaving Christian Covington off the projection this time around. Fehoko has had a very strong training camp and brings more as a run defender than Covington or Tillery. In addition, the quotes about Tillery have seemed increasingly pessimistic, which could lead to Covington snagging that spot instead.

Edge rusher (4): Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Chris Rumph II, Jamal Davis II

Bosa, Mack, and Rumph are secure. But with Kyle Van Noy primarily working at linebacker, a fourth spot is up for grabs between Davis, Ty Shelby, and Emeke Ebgule. I lean Davis because he’s been the most consistently solid throughout camp. Brandon Staley has emphasized consistency as one of the team’s main evaluation criteria this offseason.

Linebacker (5): Kyle Van Noy, Drue Tranquill, Kenneth Murray Jr., Troy Reeder, Nick Niemann

Amen Ogbongbemiga and Damon Lloyd both have compelling cases here, but it’s hard to find a spot for them unless the Chargers are carrying six linebackers, possibly at the expense of a sixth defensive lineman. Van Noy, Tranquill, Murray, and Reeder will all see extensive time. Niemann is the best special teamer of the remaining trio, which gives him the edge.

Cornerback (5): JC Jackson, Asante Samuel Jr., Bryce Callahan, Michael Davis, Deane Leonard

I could see the Chargers keep six corners, as both Tevaughn Campbell and Ja’Sir Taylor are tough cuts here. Davis has struggled in camp, but the financial investment the team has made in him makes me think he’s still a lock for the roster. Leonard has been the star of training camp, even working with the first team defense in stretches. Campbell and Taylor have been a bit more up and down, but Campbell has veteran knowledge of the system and Taylor has been receiving one-on-one coaching from Brandon Staley.

Safety (5): Derwin James Jr., Nasir Adderley, JT Woods, Mark Webb Jr., Alohi Gilman

I’m confident in five safeties making the team. The battle is for playing time – James and Adderley are the clear starters, but James also moves around a ton. Woods is the favorite to take over the two high roles when James moves down into the box, but Webb has been getting first-team reps while James continues negotiating his contract extension. Gilman has been quieter but did get first-team reps to open camp. I still think recent camp standout Raheem Layne is more likely to end up as a premium practice squad addition, but a strong showing in the preseason could push Webb and Gilman.

Specialists (3): K Dustin Hopkins, P J.K. Scott, LS Josh Harris

No changes made here.