CHARGERS DEPTH CHART: WHO’S UP, WHO’S DOWN, POSITION BY POSITION
Here’s a look at the Chargers roster as the team prepares to open training camp July 28at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa. This projected depth chart and roster will be updated throughout camp and the season. Players are listed in the likely playing-time pecking order at each position, as seen by Chargers beat writer Gilbert Manzano. The deadline to trim the roster to 53players is Aug. 31. Offseason additions are noted by T for trade acquisitions, FA for free-agent signings, W for waiver pickups, R-F for reserve-future contracts, D for drafted rookies and U for undrafted rookies.
QUARTERBACKS
Justin Herbert, Easton Stick, Chase Daniel (FA): There will be no starting quarterback controversy this summer with Herbert coming off a historic rookie season. But the backup job will be available because of the addition of Daniel, who’s familiar with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. Daniel has the experience, but expect Stick to win the backup job because he’ll get to display his athleticism in preseason games.
RUNNING BACKS
Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree III (D), Gabe Nabers (fullback), Darius Bradwell: This might be the toughest position to gauge for various reasons. Jackson is probably the most talented running back on the team not named Ekeler, but he struggles to stay on the field because of injuries. If he’s healthy during training camp, expect Jackson to win over the new coaching staff and earn the No. 2job. Kelley was inconsistent his rookie season and failed to produce as the short-yardage back, but it might be too soon to give up on last year’s fourth-round selection. Rountree has the advantage of being drafted by the current coaching regime and will likely push Kelley for the short-yardage role. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Chargers decide to keep four running backs to start the season.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Josh Palmer (D), Jalen Guyton, Tyron Johnson, Joe Reed, K.J. Hill, Jason Moore, Austin Proehl (W), John Hurst, Michael Bandy (FA): The Chargers surprised many when they drafted Palmer in the third round, but during offseason workouts it was easy to see why they took him so high. The talented jump-ball receiver could become the consistent third wideout the Chargers have coveted in recent years. Guyton proved last season he’s able to get open often with his speed, but he’ll need to limit the drops if he wants to keep his No. 3job. Last season, Johnson outplayed Reed and Hill, two players with high expectations as rookies. This trio will need to prove they belong
TIGHT ENDS
Jared Cook (FA), Tre’ McKitty (D), Donald Parham Jr., Stephen Anderson, Matt Sokol, Hunter Kampmoyer (U), Matt Seybert (FA): The rookie McKitty will likely see more snaps than Parham this season because the coaching staff values McKitty’s blocking and special-teams skills. Those were two areas Parham struggled with last season, but he’ll get his opportunities as a red-zone target.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Rashawn Slater (left tackle, D), Matt Feiler (left guard, FA), Corey Linsley (center, FA), Oday Aboushi (right guard, FA), Bryan Bulaga (right tackle), Trey Pipkins (tackle), Brenden Jaimes (guard/tackle, D), Storm Norton (tackle), Scott Quessenberry (center/guard), Nate Gilliam (guard), Tyree St. Louis (tackle), Ryan Hunter (tackle/ guard), Darius Harper (tackle, U), Kyle Spalding (tackle, U): Aboushi is competing for his starting guard job, but he shouldn’t worry much because there’s a lack of competition. Jaimes could make a push if the fifth-round pick has an impressive training camp and preseason. Pipkins and Norton will likely battle for the swing-tackle job.
DEFENSIVE LINE Joey Bosa (edge), Uchenna Nwosu (edge), Linval Joseph (nose tackle), Justin Jones (defensive tackle), Jerry Tillery (defensive tackle), Kyler Fackrell (edge, FA), Chris Rumph II (edge, D), Christian Covington (defensive tackle, FA), Cortez Broughton (defensive tackle), Joe Gaziano (edge), Breiden Fehoko (nose tackle), Jessie Lemonier (edge), Frederick Smith Jr. (defensive tackle), Jared Goldwire (edge/ defensive tackle, U), Forrest Merrill
(edge/defensive tackle, U), Willie Yarbary (edge/defensive tackle,
FA): Jones and Tillery will compete over who gets the most snaps for the third consecutive summer. The two talented defensive tackles have struggled to find consistency. The lack of depth behind Bosa and Nwosu will create more opportunities for the inexperienced edge rushers.
LINEBACKERS
Kenneth Murray, Drue Tranquill, Kyzir White, Nick Niemann (D), Emeke Egbule, Amen Ogbongbemiga (U), Cole Christiansen, Damon
Lloyd (FA): Ogbongbemiga could be this year’s undrafted rookie who makes the 53-man roster, but there won’t be many linebacker jobs available.
CORNERBACKS
Michael Davis, Chris Harris Jr., Asante Samuel Jr. (D), Ryan Smith (FA), Brandon Facyson, Tevaughn Campbell, John Brannon, Kemon Hall (W), Donte Vaughn: Facyson and Campbell could push Samuel for the second starting outside cornerback position, but expect Samuel to find his footing quickly and earn the job in camp. Smith might not see many snaps as a cornerback, but his roster spot is safe as a special-teams ace.
SAFETIES
Derwin James, Nasir Adderley, Mark Webb (D), Alohi Gilman, Ben DeLuca (U): Webb and Gilman will battle for the third safety position, a role that will see many snaps with James expected to play different positions.
KICKERS
Michael Badgley, Tristan Vizcaino (FA), Alex Kessman (U): This will be a fierce three-person race. Special teams coordinator Derius Swinton did extensive research on Vizcaino and Kessman and was impressed by both in offseason workouts. But Badgley could gain Swinton’s attention if his swagger is back this summer.
PUNTERS
Ty Long, Lachlan Edwards: Long is coming off a disappointing 2020and will need to prove he’s still the same punter from his impressive 2019season.
LONG SNAPPERS
Cole Mazza, Ryan Langan (U): No special-teams job is safe after a disastrous 2020 season for the unit. Mazza will need to beat Langan and earn the trust of the new coaches.
RETURNERS
Joe Reed, Nasir Adderley, K.J. Hill, Tyron Johnson: Adderley took over as a returner late last season after the wide receivers failed to produce. If Reed, Hill and Johnson want job security, they’ll need to earn it here.
on the 53-man roster by producing on special teams.