Jobs won’t be won or lost during off-season workouts. Instead, they will be determined in training camp and preseason action, which begins in a couple months.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s too early to speculate how I believe the Chargers roster will shape up.
Without further ado, here’s my much-too-early 53-man roster prediction.
Quarterbacks (3): Justin Herbert, Easton Stick, Max Duggan
The Chargers have carried three quarterbacks on the active roster in eight out of the ten seasons that Tom Telesco has been the general manager.
Running backs (3): Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller
Ekeler is locked up for the 2023 season after he and the Chargers agreed to contract revisions that allow him to earn up to $1.75 million in incentives. Kelley will enter as the No. 2 running back after showing plenty of promise last season. Spiller needs to make huge strides after not making much of an impact in his rookie campaign. Larry Rountree missed the cut because he spent most of the 2022 season on the practice squad, and I see them carrying four tight ends.
Fullbacks (1): Zander Horvath
Wide receivers (6): Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer, Jalen Guyton, Derius Davis
This is the most explosive wide receiver group that the Chargers have had in quite some time after the additions of Johnston and Davis and the return of Guyton, who missed most of last season with a torn ACL.
Tight ends (4): Gerald Everett, Donald Parham Jr., Tre’ McKitty, Stone Smartt
The Chargers return all of their tight ends from last season. This is a position that they could upgrade before training camp, as they’re lacking a true run-blocking tight end, which factored into their lackluster rushing offense in 2022.
Offensive linemen (9): Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Corey Linsley, Jamaree Salyer, Trey Pipkins, Jordan McFadden, Will Clapp, Brenden Jaimes, Foster Sarell
The Chargers have their starters locked in. The only changes are Johnson switching from right guard to left guard and Salyer moving to right guard. McFadden will compete with Jaimes for the swing guard spot. They could look to bring in another to offer competition for the swing tackle spot with Sarell.
Defensive linemen (6): Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Morgan Fox, Otito Ogbonnia, Scott Matlock, Nick Williams
Johnson and Ogbonnia are still working their way back from the season-ending injuries they sustained midway through the 2022 campaign. The Chargers signed Williams recently as depth. Undrafted free agent Jerrod Clark is a candidate to make the 53-man roster, especially if Johnson or Ogbonnia begin the season on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list.
Edge defender (4): Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipolotu, Chris Rumph II
The Chargers are hopeful that Bosa can stay healthy after dealing with a groin injury that kept him sidelined for most of last season. Tuipolotu was selected in the second round as their rotational edge defender behind Bosa and Mack. Rumph enters Year 3 and the team is hoping he can take a leap.
Linebackers (5): Eric Kendricks, Kenneth Murray, Daiyan Henley, Nick Niemann, Amen Ogbongbemiga
Kendricks headlines the Chargers’ linebacker room after the departure of Drue Tranquill, who signed with the Chiefs. Kendricks will play alongside Murray, who enters the final year of his rookie deal. Henley was selected in the third round to be a special teams ace from the jump, with the potential to get playing time on defense if Murray struggles. Niemann and Ogbongbemiga return as core special teamers.
Cornerbacks (5): JC Jackson, Michael Davis, Asante Samuel Jr., Ja’Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard
Jackson is hopeful that he can be ready by the start of training camp after missing most of last season with a ruptured patellar tendon. If not, Davis and Samuel will start on the outside with Taylor playing in the slot. Leonard provides depth and a key special teamer. This is a position group that could afford another veteran piece.
Safeties (4): Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, JT Woods, Raheem Layne
As of now, Gilman enters the season as the starter alongside James. The Chargers are hopeful that Woods can progress after a rough rookie season and develop into a starter. The team is very high on Layne. Like cornerback, the safety room would benefit from another player. John Johnson happens to be available still.
Specialists (3): Cameron Dicker, JK Scott, Josh Harris
Dicker and Dustin Hopkins are in line for a battle for the kicker job in camp. I believe Dicker wins after coming in and providing stability at the position.
