Chargers Bubble Watch: WR Artavis Scott

After failing to secure a roster spot with the Los Angeles Chargers last summer, wide receiver Artavis Scott gets another chance to show he belongs.

For undrafted players, the chance to prove you belong is a moment you must seize. Though he didn’t make the Chargers’ roster last year, he did spend quality time on the practice squad.

Did he learn enough there and will he have made enough strides to find a spot on the 53-man roster this year?

It’s not going to be any easier to make the roster this year as the team still have Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams, Travis Benjamin and Mike Williams. In addition, sixth-round pick Dylan Cantrell and veteran Geremy Davis and another receiver on the bubble, Nelson Spruce, will all provide competition to Scott.

Obviously, there’s not going to be room for everyone.

Scott will have to show what he can do in the slot and he’ll likely have to do it with Geno Smith, Cardale Jones and Nick Shimonek throwing him the ball as he probably won’t get any reps with the first-string offense.

But Scott is no pushover. He was a big part of a Clemson team that won the national championship just two years ago. He had at least 76 receptions and five touchdown catches in each of his three seasons as a starter for the Tigers. In 2015, he grabbed 93 passes. Only nine players in all of college football had more catches that season.

He averaged over 10 yards per reception during his college career and it seems he could be a solid weapon as a slot receiver at the professional level. He just has to do something to make himself stand out from the crowd.

That something could very well be returning kicks.

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Scott returned kicks in college as well, averaging 23.7 yards per return for his playing career. The Chargers used Desmond King and Austin Ekeler in that role last season, but there’s a chance the team would rather use a guy who isn’t so integral on offense or defense to handle those duties.

That’s what makes Scott a perfect option. He could also be called upon to return punts and he could be in competition with Spruce to take over that role, should the team decide not to put Travis Benjamin in that spot this season.

How well Scott handles returning duties could very well be the difference between making the team and being left out in the cold.

Could Scott and Spruce be fighting for one roster spot? They won’t both make the team unless there’s a major injury to a star, but there’s also the chance that neither guy makes the team.

Scott has become familiar with the system and probably has the advantage over Spruce in terms of making the roster. But if Scott is cut again, maybe he could resurface in one of the professional leagues planning to kick off in the near future.