Chargers: Who is this season’s Spencer Pulley surprise cut?

The Chargers once cut Spencer Pulley, which was a surprise even with the addition of Mike Pouncey. Who could that be this year?

The Chargers have just one more game to figure out their initial 53-man roster, with dozens of players facing the dreaded roster trim. Though the majority of the team can be guessed already, there are always surprise cuts; look no further than in 2018, when the Chargers cut former starting center Spencer Pulley.

Now, no one considered Pulley a starter following the signing of Mike Pouncey in free agency. In March of 2018, the Chargers went from a former undrafted free agent to a Pro-Bowl player at center. There’s no question who runs the first-team offense; however, it was largely expected Pulley would remain a integral part of the depth at center or guard.

Instead, he was released when the team filled out their 53-man roster. So who could that be this season?

Here are three important points surrounding Pulley’s case to consider:

1. The team signed a much better veteran Pro-Bowl player.
2. He was not expected to be a starter, but he was expected to be kept as depth.
3. The team also drafted a Day Three player, Scott Quessenberry, who made it on the roster over him.

This would have to be a surprise cut, and one that is similar to Pulley’s scenario in 2018. It doesn’t mean it should or would happen (hence, the surprise part), but the goal here is to figure out whose situation matches that of Pulley’s.

That player: Linebacker Jatavis Brown.

Reconsider the three points, but use Brown’s situation:

1. The team signed a much better veteran Pro-Bowl player (Thomas Davis at WILL).
2. Brown is not expected to be a starter, but important depth.
3. The team drafted a Day Three player who will make it on the roster over him. Technically, they did it last year with Kyzir White, and did again with Drue Tranquill. Though Tranquill seems to be playing more MIKE, the coaches have expressed interest in putting him everywhere to succeed.

It would certainly be a surprise, as although no one pegs him as the starter over Davis, he deserves a shot on the roster for his familiarity with the team and production alone. Still, the Chargers are clearly in a transition phase with their linebacker corps, and Brown may not fit what they prefer. Who else could be the surprise cut of 2019, similar to Pulley last year? Comment below and share your thoughts.