With only one week of preseason left and final cuts following shortly after, it’s time to do a final projection of the 53-man Los Angeles Chargers roster. Most roster questions have become more clear after two weeks of preseason, but there are still a few battles that could go either way.
2024 Los Angeles Chargers Roster Projection: Final Version
Quarterback (3)
Justin Herbert, Easton Stick, Luis Perez
Easton Stick has had a frankly terrible preseason so far, but amazingly, his roster spot as a backup quarterback still appears to be safe. Max Duggan was cut early this week, as was undrafted free agent Casey Bauman. That leaves Stick and Luis Perez, the latter of whom was signed just a few days before the preseason started. Jim Harbaugh must still see something in Stick that makes him feel he’s worth keeping around. He usually kept three quarterbacks during his 49ers coaching tenure, so Perez should be able to take a spot too – the question is whether it’ll be as QB2 or QB3.
Running Back (4)
J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Kimani Vidal, Jaret Patterson
For some reason, there were some rumblings that Vidal might be in danger of missing the final Chargers roster. After starting Week 2 of the preseason and looking good in the process, that rumor can be put to rest. Dobbins and Edwards are the clear-cut starters at this point, though whether Dobbins can stay healthy – or return to form after an Achilles injury – is anyone’s guess. Patterson has been getting more touches than Isaiah Spiller, who looks set to be cut after two years at this point.
Wide Receiver (6)
Josh Palmer, D.J. Chark, Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, Derius Davis, Brenden Rice
The WR6 spot is really the only spot here that’s still up for grabs. Palmer, Johnston, and McConkey’s spots are all locked for sure, and there’s no reason Chark’s shouldn’t be too. Jaelen Gill has made some noise in the preseason as a kick returner, but the Chargers aren’t getting rid of an All-Pro return man in Derius Davis, so Gill will have to settle for the practice squad for now.
WR6 comes down to Rice and Simi Fehoko, who has had a strong preseason as well, whereas Rice has had zero catches. However, Rice has been starting and getting plenty of targets; while he’s probably still a bit raw, some of this can be pinned on poor quarterback play (most of his passes would’ve come from Stick). Fehoko should get a practice squad spot. The Chargers other seventh-round rookie receiver, Cornelius Johnson, made zero noise in the preseason and looks destined for the waiver wire.
Tight End (3)
Hayden Hurst, Will Dissly, Donald Parham
Hurst and Dissly are locked in as the top two guys at tight end. Donald Parham and Stone Smartt were fighting it out for extra spots. Smartt has struggled this preseason, and while Parham hasn’t done much either, he at least has the precedent of making plays in the past.
Offensive Line (9)
Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt, Bradley Bozeman, Trey Pipkins, Zion Johnson, Jamaree Salyer, Jordan McFadden, Foster Sarell, Brenden Jaimes
There should not be too many surprises here. Slater and Alt are the starters out at tackle, Bozeman is the new guy at center, and Johnson has been moved to left guard while Pipkins shifted to right guard, pushing Salyer to the bench. Oddly enough, Salyer looked better filling in for Slater at left tackle in his rookie year than he did as a starter at left guard last year. At any rate, the switches for Johnson and Pipkins seem to be benefiting them both.
Elsewhere on the depth players, we have McFadden – the coaches tried tinkering him with as a fullback as well. Even if that doesn’t pan out, he’ll probably be used as an extra lineman in goal-line packages. That leaves Sarell as a backup tackle (Alex Leatherwood definitely isn’t making the cut) and Brenden Jaimes as the backup center. Jaimes still does not look good, but the Chargers have been unable to find a better alternative so far to back up Bozeman. Michigan alumni UDFA Karsen Barnhart will have to hope for a practice squad spot.
Defensive Line (6)
Teair Tart, Justin Eboigbe, Poona Ford, Morgan Fox, Scott Matlock, Otito Ogbonnia
An interesting mix of old and new faces here. Fox, Matlock, and Ogbonnia should all be pretty safe; Fox has been one of the bigger play-makers on the interior defensive line in the last couple years, racking up 12 sacks in that time. Matlock is in Year 2 and Ogbonnia Year 3. Poona Ford was added in free agency and then Justin Eboigbe in the Draft. Then Teair Tart was added mid-preseason after the Miami Dolphins cut him. Jerrod Clark or Christopher Hinton might have had a shot at a roster spot before Tart showed up, but now they will have to fight for a practice squad spot, much like last year.
Edge Rushers (4)
Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree
There should not be any surprises here. Bosa and Mack are back for another year. Tuipulotu shined in his rookie year when given chances, especially when lined up as a third edge rusher. Hopefully they can find ways to keep him on the field. On most teams, Bud Dupree would probably still be a starter, but here he makes for a great backup or rotational player to have. He’s in his early 30’s now but had 6.5 sacks last year with the Falcons. If anything should happen to Bosa and/or Mack, Chargers fans can rest assured in their backups this time.
Linebackers (5)
Denzel Perryman, Daiyan Henley, Junior Colson, Nick Niemann, Troy Dye
There aren’t going to be many surprises here either. The returning Denzel Perryman, rookie Junior Colson, and second-year Daiyan Henley are going to be the main pieces here. Nick Niemann and the free agent acquisition Troy Dye are on track to remain as backups.
Cornerback (6)
Asante Samuel Jr, Kristian Fulton, Deane Leonard, Ja’Sir Taylor, Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart
This isn’t a particularly deep group of cornerbacks, but because there is a bunch of young talent the team is trying to develop, that necessitates keeping a little more than usual. It’s still not clear who will be playing opposite Asante Samuel Jr on the outside, but both Kristian Fulton and Deane Leonard have been doing well as of late. We will see how the rookies Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart. Ja’Sir Taylor hasn’t really impressed, but his roster spot still seems assured – evidently, the Chargers still see him as the best fit on the team for nickel back.
Safeties (4)
Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, A.J. Finley, J.T. Woods
Derwin James and Alohi Gilman make for a strong starting safety duo. The main competition was among the backups. A.J. Finley seems to be the most sure thing among that bunch. Surprisingly, J.T. Woods has finally started to show signs of improvement – and veteran Tony Jefferson has been pushed to the third-stringers. Perhaps Jefferson making the Chargers roster after playing very little notable football lately was a long shot to begin with, but pre-training camp, his stock looked better than Woods.
Special Teams (3)
Cameron Dicker, JK Scott, Josh Harris
No changes here – there are not even any competitors for these spots, nor should there be. Dicker’s been nailing long field goals even in the preseason, and the team has seen no need to bring in competition for the punter Scott or long snapper Harris either.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
