Chargers depth chart: Who moves up or down?

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CARSON, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 18: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Los Angeles Chargers avoids the rush from Trey Hendrickson #91 of the New Orleans Saints in a 19-17 Saints win during a preseason game at Dignity Health Sports Park on August 18, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

The Chargers lost to the Saints in their second preseason game, and some good or bad performances may shake up the depth chart again.

The Chargers finish their second preseason game with a late fourth-quarter loss to the Saints, a contest that featured a number of truly impressive performances on offense, defense, and special teams. Here’s how the depth chart (as provided from the team’s website) may change after this game:

Chargers offense: Moving up

Regardless of better individual performances in this game from other receivers, it looks like Geremy Davis and Artavis Scott will hold on to the team’s fourth and fifth wide receiver spots. Given the lack of depth at tackle, the potential need for another body at safety, and even the possibility of retaining three quarterbacks on the active roster, the Chargers may not carry a sixth receiver onto their initial 53-man roster. In Anthony Lynn’s last two seasons, however, the team has carried a sixth wideout.

Though Malachi Dupre led the team in receiving yard last time, it wasn’t a performance that would outright give him that final spot. Someone needed to step up today, and that man was Andre Patton:

WE SEE YOU, DRE. @Dre_Patt15 | #NOvsLAC pic.twitter.com/oZMIucgA7Z

— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) August 18, 2019

Working with Cardale Jones, Patton caught four passes for 62 yards and a touchdown, 55 more yards than the next wide receiver below or next to him on the depth chart. It’s hard to say whether this counts as “moving up” the depth chart, but it certainly elevates his chances of making the roster.

Quietly, Detrez Newsome had a better day rushing the ball than Troymaine Pope. Newsome rushed five times for 17 yards (3.4 average), more than double the average of Pope (1.5). Still, highlights are highlights, and Pope had the all-important preseason return for a touchdown that helps relative unknowns make the roster.

What’s most notable, however, is how Pope came into the game much earlier than Newsome. The Chargers seemed to have a lot of faith in their former undrafted free agent, and maybe do still, but it looks like they’ve been more impressed with Pope thus far.