With only one preseason week left and less than a week to go before final cuts on August 31 to 53-man rosters hit us, it’s time to do a final projection of the final Los Angeles Chargers roster. A couple of months back an earlier projection was done; we can compare and see what has changed since then. Without further delay, let us get into the final Los Angeles Chargers roster projection.
READ MORE: Chargers Breakout Candidates
2022 Los Angeles Chargers Roster Projection: Final Version
Quarterback (2)
Justin Herbert, Chase Daniel
At this point, there’s not really much reason for the Chargers to have three quarterbacks on the roster, and room is needed elsewhere. Easton Stick got outplayed by Daniel this preseason, and it seems we have already seen his ceiling. However, it would be worth keeping him on the practice squad in case of another Covid breakout.
Running Back (5)
Austin Ekeler, Isaiah Spiller, Joshua Kelley, Leddie Brown, Zander Horvath (FB)
Ekeler and Spiller remain the roster locks here, and Kelley has had a few decent plays this preseason. On most other rosters he’d probably still be getting cut, but he should keep his job this year. Larry Rountree has shown no improvement, and Leddie Brown is trying to make a push for his job. It will likely come down to this final weekend of the preseason, but ultimately I think Rountree will be on the outside looking in. Elsewhere, Zander Horvath does seem to be locking down the fullback spot over Gabe Nabers.
Wide Receiver (6)
Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Josh Palmer, Jalen Guyton, DeAndre Carter, Michael Bandy
Four of these players are all essentially locks, and DeAndre Carter may be as well if he’s locked up the kick return job. He’s also done well in training camp and preseason as a receiver. Joe Reed did better as a receiver this preseason as well and might actually have had a shot at a roster spot if Michael Bandy hadn’t stolen the show. Bandy will likely be at the bottom of the depth chart to start the season, but the Chargers need to find a way to keep him; he has too much promise to let walk and someone may pick him up before the Bolts have the opportunity to stash him on the practice squad.
Tight End (4)
Gerald Everett, Donald Parham, Tre McKitty, Hunter Kampmoyer
It wasn’t originally thought that the Chargers would keep a fourth tight end, but things may be trending in that direction. Hunter Kampmoyer may have the edge there because of his work on special teams, but Gabe Nabers (who has spent time with the tight ends lately) and USFL product Sage Surratt are also candidates. At any rate, there shouldn’t be any other surprises. McKitty hasn’t been able to play this preseason but his spot still seems secure.
Offensive Line (9)
Corey Linsley, Rashawn Slater, Matt Feiler, Zion Johnson, Trey Pipkins, Storm Norton, Jamaree Salyer, Will Clapp, Brenden Jaimes
Do not expect any surprises here in terms of roster spots. The only question there ever really was who would be starting at right tackle, and that currently looks to be Pipkins. Norton should keep the backup spot regardless of that. After the five starters and Norton, that leaves the rookie Salyer as well as backup center Clapp and second-year guard Jaimes to round out the depth.
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Defensive Line (6)
Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Jerry Tillery, Morgan Fox, Otito Ogbonnia, Christian Covington
There was some potential competition here for the backup spots but in the end, there are not likely to be surprises here. Christian Covington has continued to do well enough to keep his spot, and no one else has broken out well enough to steal a spot – and Forrest Merrill ended up on injured reserve. Breiden Fehoko was the closest contender, and he should be a strong practice squad candidate again.
Linebackers (8)
Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Kenneth Murray, Drue Tranquill, Kyle Van Noy, Chris Rumph, Troy Reeder, Nick Niemann
There should not be any surprises here either. Jamal Davis has made a push for a backup edge-rusher role, but if they keep eight linebackers as opposed to nine, then he looks to be the odd man out. But a lot of spots here were pretty locked down heading into the preseason, even among the backups. Rumph and Niemann’s spots were both secure heading into their second year, and Reeder likely had the inside track given that he had worked with coach Brandon Staley before.
Cornerbacks (6)
J.C. Jackson, Asante Samuel Jr, Bryce Callahan, Michael Davis, Ja’Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard
Four of the cornerback spots here were essentially locked down. One unexpected development of sorts was Tevaughn Campbell getting injured and being waived/sent to injured reserve as a result. That left the room open for both rookie cornerbacks that were taken in the Draft where there might have been only room for one before unless they both outplayed Campbell. Of the two of those rookies, Ja’Sir Taylor has had the better preseason, but Leonard should get his chance on the 53-man roster as well, especially with J.C. Jackson possibly missing a game or two.
Safeties (4)
Derwin James, Nasir Adderley, J.T. Woods, Alohi Gilman
Despite having listed five safeties on the previous roster projection, I do not usually see the need for a team to keep more than four unless all five are making a strong case. Mark Webb has not been able to stay healthy since coming into the league last year and thus has not made an impact – even Gilman has made some impact at least on special teams. Maybe Webb can save his spot if he’s able to play in the final preseason game, but he may very well be a somewhat unexpected odd man out.
Special Teams (3)
Dustin Hopkins, J.K. Scott, Josh Harris
This section is not worth more than one or two short sentences; there is literally no competition on the 80-man roster right now and there never was any serious competition before that. The kicker, punter, and long snapper positions are all firmly set.
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