Chargers winners and losers following one preseason game
Chargers loser: Artavis Scott
Scott has been buried on the depth chart, and this game may have shown some of the reasons why. From dropping a wide open pass to not being able to get anything going in the return game, the odds of Scott making the roster look smaller by the day. Fortunately for him, there was no one that really stole the show at receiver in the game, other than a little bit of late magic from Malachi Dupre. But if Scott is going to be the fourth wide receiver he’s been touted to be, he’s got a lot of work to do in the rest of training camp and the preseason.
Chargers winner: Drue Tranquill
Drue Tranquill, the rookie fourth-round pick from Notre Dame, has to play for his playing time this year. Reading a play perfectly to create an interception, No. 49 demonstrated the kind of coverage ability that made him such an exciting prospect. Tranquill was also playing pretty efficiently the entire time he was in, getting a few key tackles as well.
His role on the team isn’t going to be decided by one preseason game, but his stock is up after this performance. The next three weeks will determine a lot about what his role is in the linebacker rotation this season, but he’s off to as good of a start as anyone could be. For his efforts, he was the Chargers’ highest-graded defender on Thursday, according to Pro Football Focus.
Chargers loser: Offensive line depth
The starting guards looked fine, with both Forrest Lamp and Michael Schofield generally playing well, but the outside of the line leaves a lot to be desired. Of course, this comes with the caveat that guys like Mike Pouncey and Russell Okung weren’t on the line at all, but the latter missing is the biggest problem. With Okung still recovering from blood clots on an uncertain timetable, and with how injuries to offensive lines traditionally work in the NFL, the Chargers will have to figure out how to piece together the offensive line with probably less than optimal circumstances.
Next. Which Chargers move up or down the depth chart?
Guys like Sam Tevi or Trey Pipkins can’t be relied upon week in and week out in this stage of their careers. Maybe there comes a point where they develop, but they need to do it fast considering the championship window for this team. The concern of an offensive line without Okung and potentially more injuries coming is very valid.