Rookie WR Dylan Cantrell working his way off roster bubble

Dylan Cantrell, a rookie wide receiver out of Texas Tech, has had a nice camp so far.

Fans often assume that draft picks are a lock to make the 53-man roster, but that is often not the case, especially when you’re talking about a sixth-round choice. Throw in the fact that the position group is one of the deepest on the team and Cantrell has had his work cut out for him from the beginning.

Cantrell is in the midst of his first training camp and he’s making the most of it so far. Read through the camp notes on the team’s official website and you will see his name listed almost every day in a positive light. Whether it’s making tough grabs or fighting off coverage, Cantrell hasn’t looked like a rookie thus far.

.@GenoSmith3 just threw a perfect touch pass into the back corner of the end zone that Dylan Cantrell hauled in for the over-the-shoulder TD catch. #ChargersCamp

— Ricky Henne (@ChargersRHenne) July 31, 2018

If the first four positions at wide receiver are a lock — and to this point, we assume they are, then Cantrell will be battling the likes of Artavis Scott, Nelson Spruce and Geremy Davis, among others, for one or two roster spots.

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Though those guys all have had a splash of professional experience, none of them were drafted by the Chargers, as was Cantrell. In that regard, he does have an advantage in the position battle.

Cantrell isn’t going to blow a defender away with his quickness, but he does have good size and more than that, he’s an intelligent player. When watching Cantrell on the field, you see a player who does all of the little things. He’s very disciplined and knows his role and what is expected of him.

To this point, he’s turning heads in training camp and it will be quite interesting to see where he sits when the team releases its first depth chart.

If he keeps going the way he’s been going, he will make the 53-man roster.