Los Angeles Chargers: Pre-camp 53-man roster projection

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CARSON, CA – OCTOBER 07: Wide receiver Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders makes a catch in front of cornerback Casey Hayward #26 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the second quarter at StubHub Center on October 7, 2018, in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Cornerback (6)

Casey Hayward, Trevor Williams, Desmond King, Michael Davis, Brandon Facyson, Rodney Randle

Cuts: Jeff Richards, Arrion Springs, Kemon Hall, Bradford Lemmons

Potential surprise cut: Davis

There should be some tremendous competition here. The Chargers have a good core group with Hayward, Williams, King and Davis, but the fifth spot could go to a number of players.

Randle, an undrafted rookie out of Lamar, is my camp surprise. Though he will need to develop as a defensive back, his intangibles might be too good to pass up.

With blazing speed, he could help the team in multiple areas, including as a return man. He might be best suited to begin the year on the practice squad, however, but he is a player to keep an eye on. Look for the guy wearing jersey No. 41 if you go to any of the team’s practices.

Safety (4)

Derwin James, Nasir Adderley, Adrian Phillips, Rayshawn Jenkins

Cuts: Jaylen Watkins, Adarius Pickett, Roderic Teamer

Potential surprise cut: Jenkins

There is so much to be excited about at the safety position this season with this team due to the addition of Adderley. With he and James in the defensive secondary, the Chargers are a force to be reckoned with.

Having Phillips there gives Gus Bradley a chess piece to give offenses fits, as he did against the Ravens in last year’s Wild Card game. Jenkins will be entering his third year with the team and would like to think he can push Adderley for snaps, but in all likelihood, he will be a role player and special teams guy.

Because of the solid depth the team has at safety, they decide to keep just four. Teamer will push for a spot on the roster and could overtake Jenkins by the end of the summer. He is a talented undrafted player who will find himself on the practice squad if he doesn’t make the team initially.

Watkins is looking to bounce back after missing all of last season but when the team re-signed Phillips and drafted Adderley, it pushed him down a bit too far on the depth chart.