Training camp and preseason play are over, so the Chargers’ coaching staff will use them as their resources to get the roster from 80 players to 53 ahead of the 2022 season.
The team will have until 1 pm on Tuesday to make their cuts.
With that being said, here is our final projection of what we believe the initial roster will look like:
Quarterback (3): Justin Herbert, Chase Daniel, Easton Stick
No change here. Daniel and Stick are still in a battle for the primary backup spot. Stick has been the better quarterback for most of the preseason but struggles with ball placement and had a bad game Friday against the Saints. Daniel brings veteran experience to the position that the team values.
Running back (4): Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller, Larry Rountree III
As much as I’d hate for the team to keep four running backs, it seems like a formality with the Spiller ankle injury last week against the Cowboys. However, Rountree got more involved in the passing game against the Saints, and it looks like he will have a role. He and Kelley are also starting special teamers.
Fullback (1): Zander Horvath
Gabe Nabers has been practicing as a tight end because of injuries at the position, but that should tell you that Horvath has this job all but locked up.
Wide receiver (5): Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer, DeAndre Carter, Jalen Guyton
It pains me to leave preseason standout Michael Bandy off the 53, but I think there isn’t room for him if the team keeps three QBs and four RBs. Bandy is also limited to the slot where Allen, Palmer, and Carter can all produce as well. All five of the receivers projected to make the 53 will have a defined role on offense, with Carter and Guyton playing key roles on special teams.
Tight end (3): Gerald Everett, Donald Parham, Tre’ McKitty
Keeping it at three tight ends here because it seems like Parham will be ready to go by Week 1. While Hunter Kampmoyer has been a special teams starter, he fumbled on Friday against the Saints. If they can’t or don’t cross-train Horvath to play some tight end, I expect LA to make another addition after IR and PUP moves, whether Kampmoyer or an outside addition.
Offensive line (9): Rashawn Slater, Matt Feiler, Corey Linsley, Zion Johnson, Trey Pipkins, Storm Norton, Jamaree Salyer, Will Clapp, Ryan Hunter
The starting five is set with Pipkins winning the right tackle competition against Norton, who will be the swing tackle. Slater, Feiler, and Linsley haven’t played a single snap of preseason action, and for a good reason. All three will be standouts this season. Johnson has looked as advertised in his preseason action. Salyer has been the most impressive lineman of the preseason and should be the primary backup at guard. The last two spots are contentious between Clapp, Hunter, and Brenden Jaimes. Ultimately, I think Jaimes has been the furthest behind the curve and likeliest to make it through waivers to the practice squad. Both Clapp and Hunter have guard/center flexibility.
Defensive line (6): Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Morgan Fox, Otito Ogbonnia, Jerry Tillery, Breiden Fehoko
I kept Tillery off the past few projections, but the Chargers not playing him in the preseason finale all but indicated that he will make the team. While he continued to struggle against the run, Tillery will likely be given a role that plays to his strengths where he strictly rushes the quarterback. Fehoko has done plenty to earn a roster spot. He has been strong against the run since Day 1, but he showed improvement as a pass rusher this summer.
Edge rusher (3): Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Chris Rumph II
As much as Jamal Davis and Carlo Kemp made their cases to earn a roster spot throughout camp, I think Kyle Van Noy will be relegated to the fourth edge defender, in addition to his duties at inside linebacker. If the Chargers lose one of their top three players at the position, Van Noy could transition to an edge rusher.
Linebacker (5): Kyle Van Noy, Drue Tranquill, Kenneth Murray Jr., Troy Reeder, Nick Niemann
I went back and forth between keeping six linebackers but decided to use the extra spot for the secondary. Amen Ogbongbemiga logged over 100 defensive snaps, including two starts, and played on special teams more towards the end of the 2021 season. If it comes down to it, I think the team favors Niemann’s special teams prowess over Ogbongbemiga, as he finished with 14 special teams tackles on coverage units last season, which tied for fourth-most in the NFL. Then again, I wouldn’t be surprised if they both make the squad.
Cornerback (6): JC Jackson, Asante Samuel Jr., Bryce Callahan, Michael Davis, Ja’Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard
In my recent projections, I kept five cornerbacks. But the reason why I believe the Chargers roster six is because of Jackson’s injury that could keep him out of the first two games of the season. The team does not have depth along the boundary, and that’s what Leonard would supply. While he struggled to get his head around to make plays on the football, he still showed the ability to stay in phase with receivers. His mistakes are correctable, and I believe Leonard could develop into a decent depth piece.
Safety (5): Derwin James Jr., Nasir Adderley, JT Woods, Alohi Gilman, Mark Webb
After standing out early in camp, Webb did not take a single snap in the preseason due to a calf issue. After undergoing knee surgery, Webb missed the final nine games of his rookie season in 2021. While not ideal for someone who struggles to stay on the field, the team is still high on Webb, and they believe he can be reliable depth across multiple positions in the secondary.
Specialists (3): K Dustin Hopkins, P J.K. Scott, LS Josh Harris
No changes made here.
