Each year, there are a few players for the Chargers who fly under the radar who come to the forefront in training camp.
With that being said, let’s a look at some sleepers at each position on the offensive side of the ball you may want to keep an eye out on this summer.
QB: Easton Stick
With only three players at the position, Justin Herbert being the starter and Chase Daniel and Stick being behind him, there isn’t a clear-cut sleeper. It’s likely that Daniel will win the backup role since he’s well-versed with Joe Lombardi’s offense and he offers mentorship to Herbert, but Stick is still going to be competitive to remain on the roster. However, maybe, just maybe, Stick is used in the same gadget role as Saints’ Taysom Hill. It would certainly be cool to see if the coaches have plays designed for him in that capacity, taking advantage of his athleticism.
RB: Larry Rountree III
There’s Austin Ekeler at the top of the depth and the spots behind him remain to be seen. Rountree, the team’s sixth-round pick, was drafted with the intentions of him serving as a special teamer, but he is more than capable of carving up a role in the backfield early on. Rountree is the type of back to drop his pad level, run through contact and be able to run between the tackles and push the ball to the edge as well as offer the ability to impact the passing game due to his catching and blocking skills.
WR: Austin Proehl
The battle for WR3 behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams will steal the spotlight, but there should be a final spot to be earned between a few wideouts, including Proehl. The Chargers mark Proehl’s fifth team since entering the league in 2018, but he has yet to make a 53-man roster. But with but with his surprising speed, ability to get open in all three areas of the field competitiveness and special teams upside, Proehl could be the guy Los Angeles benefits from having on the squad.
TE: Tre’ McKitty
Jared Cook and Donald Parham sit atop of the depth chart, but McKitty was drafted in the third-round for a reason. He may be relegated to in-line blocker role, but I’m banking on him raising some eyebrows with his receiving skills. McKitty has the athleticism, ability to separate at the top of routes, a solid frame to stack defenders and great hands to reel in the football.
OT: Storm Norton
The starters are in place with Rashawn Slater and Bryan Bulaga, but there will be a battle for the swing role. Norton, who was signed last offseason, played well in his three starts in 2020. He offers the athleticism and movement skills to provide insurance if an injury occurred. One thing I’m looking for this summer is if he got stronger and dials it up with his leverage, given the fact that he’s towering at 6-foot-8 and has a thinner frame.
IOL: Brenden Jaimes
To this day, I believe that Jaimes, the team’s fifth-round selection, may go down as one of the steals of the draft. While lack of physical traits likely force him to kick inside to guard, Jaimes has the lower-body athleticism, efficient hand usage and high football IQ to be able to keep pass rushers at bay and generate movement in the run game in this league. Oday Aboushi will likely lock up the starting right guard job, but Jaimes should push him for it in camp.
