As training camp gets closer, it’s time for an early projection of the final 53-man roster for the Los Angeles Chargers. We won’t have as clear of a picture until training camp and preseason have started getting underway, as there is always the chance of players surprising everyone – or flaming out. Nevertheless, here are the reasonable assumptions at who will be on the final Chargers roster come September.
2023 Los Angeles Chargers Roster Projection 1.0
Quarterback (3)
Justin Herbert, Max Duggan, Easton Stick
The Chargers have been carrying three quarterbacks on the roster for a while now, and that shouldn’t be expected to change in 2023 – especially given the return of the rule where you can have a third emergency quarterback on game-day that doesn’t count against your 46-man game-day active roster. There’s no competition for roster spots here; there are only three quarterbacks on the roster currently. The only question is if Easton Stick or Max Duggan will be QB2. Given that two of the receivers, including their first-round choice, are out of TCU like Duggan was, it may end up being him because of the chemistry he’d have with said receivers.
Running Back (4)
Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller, Zander Horvath
The running back situation is somewhat better now than it was a year ago, but the bar still drops pretty quickly. After Ekeler, Kelley, Spiller, and Horvath (the fullback), there’s not anyone else we should probably expect to steal a roster spot. Larry Rountree III has been a perennial practice squad man, and the remaining two candidates are undrafted free agents. One of them (Elijah Dotson, Tyler Hoosman) probably has a better shot than Rountree at nabbing a spot, but right now I don’t see it happening.
Wide Receiver (6)
Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Quentin Johnston, Josh Palmer, Derius Davis, Jalen Guyton
The Chargers have only kept five receivers on the roster the last few years, but this time the chances are higher of it being six. Allen, Williams, Johnston, and Palmer are all locks for the roster; Davis should be too, given that he was drafted to be their new kick returner and they are extremely unlikely to cut loose a fourth-rounder. If anyone would be likely at all to get cut loose, it’d probably be Guyton, but unless they weren’t originally planning on drafting two receivers, I doubt they re-signed Guyton in April just so he could get cut in the end.
Tight End (3)
Gerald Everett, Donald Parham, Tre McKitty
There should not be any surprises here. Everett and Parham are both lock-ins and former third-round pick Tre McKitty will probably get at least one more year to prove himself. Stone Smartt might have an outside chance of sneaking in again like he did last year, but everyone else is almost certainly just a training camp/practice squad body.
Offensive Linemen (9)
Rashawn Slater, Jamaree Salyer, Corey Linsley, Zion Johnson, Trey Pipkins, Will Clapp, Jordan McFadden, Foster Sarell, Brenden Jaimes
The offensive line goes into the season with all its starters set between Slater, Salyer, Linsley, Johnson, and Pipkins. After that, there could be some competition for backup spots, but Will Clapp should keep his spot as the backup center without issue – and there’s no reason that the fifth-round rookie Jordan McFadden shouldn’t make the cut. For the last two spots, Foster Sarell should keep his spot – he did respectably last year when needed as a backup at right tackle, given his lack of experience. Brenden Jaimes has been a bit of a disappointment so far, but it’s hard to see any of the other options overtaking his spot that easily – Zack Bailey and Austen Pleasants are perennial practice squad types, and the other options are a couple of undrafted free agents and some camp bodies. Barring a breakout player, Jaimes should keep his spot.
Defensive Linemen (6)
Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Morgan Fox, Otito Ogbonnia, Nick Williams, Scott Matlock
The defensive line position group is surprisingly crowded this year. This may be in part because one or two of the incumbents (Johnson, Ogbonnia) may or may not be ready for Week 1 due to recovering from injuries from last year – hence why they signed veteran Nick Williams for depth. If one or both of the aforementioned injured players is not ready by Week 1, undrafted free agent Jerrod Clark is likely to get the nod for an active roster spot and will get a chance to prove he deserves to keep it. Assuming everyone is healthy, however, Clark may get relegated to the practice squad this year – unless they decide to cut the veteran presence of Williams instead. Still, as crowded as this position group is (we didn’t even get into the other backups or camp bodies), there is definitely room for surprises.
Linebackers (9)
Joey Bosa, Kahlil Mack, Eric Kendricks, Kenneth Murray, Daiyan Henley, Chris Rumph II, Tuli Tuipulotu, Nick Niemann, Mikel Jones
There shouldn’t be any surprises among the outside linebackers. Joey Bosa and Kahlil Mack are locked in as the starters, and rookie Tuli Tuipulotu and third-year Chris Rumph should be the backups. The only other notable competition for a backup spot there is Carlo Kemp from the USFL. The inside linebackers could get a little more interesting – Kenneth Murray, the newcomer Eric Kendricks, and third-round rookie Daiyan Henley are all lock-ins. The remaining two spots could be up for grabs between Nick Niemann, Amen Ogbongbemiga, and undrafted free agent Mikel Jones – and also Kemp. Niemann should have an inside track to a roster spot, given his contributions on special teams. Jones is a decent UDFA candidate to surprise and nab a spot. If not, Ogbongbemiga should retain his spot.
Cornerbacks (6)
JC Jackson, Asante Samuel Jr, Michael Davis, Ja’Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard, Tiawan Mullen
The top four spots on the cornerback depth chart are pretty locked in between Jackson, Samuel Jr, Davis, and Taylor, the latter of whom is currently expected to be replacing Bryce Callahan in the slot. After that, the bar drops pretty notably. Deane Leonard may be able to keep his roster spot, but after that, it’s anybody’s game. Enter Tiawan Mullen, a quite promising undrafted free agent who could be an additional competitor for a slot or “star” defensive position. Even if they only keep five, if Mullen does well enough in training camp/preseason, he could steal Leonard’s spot.
Safeties (4)
Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, JT Woods, Raheem Layne
Alohi Gilman appears to be locked in as the starter at free safety opposite Derwin James. After that, the only other safety whose position is safe is JT Woods, given that he’s a third-rounder and only in his second year. We’ll see if he progresses this year or not. After that, it’s anybody’s game for a fourth and maybe fifth spot. Raheem Layne showed some promise on special teams last year, so that’ll likely help him keep his spot. A.J. Finley is the other most likely candidate to be in play for a roster spot. The staff seems to like Mark Webb, but he’s not shown much in two years and was actually a roster cut last year before getting added back to the practice squad.
Special Teams (3)
Cameron Dicker, J.K. Scott, Josh Harris
The only competition here is at kicker. Although Cameron Dicker appeared to have the kicker position locked down the stretch last year, they’re keeping Dustin Hopkins around to compete with him this offseason. Both did well last year, but I expect Dicker will keep the starting job. There isn’t anyone else to compete against Scott for the punter job or Harris for long snapper.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
