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Los Angeles Chargers roster: Size does matter

ByTyler Schoon|
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Tyler Higbee #89 of the Los Angeles Rams makes a catch for a first down in front of Kyzir White #44 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter of the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Tyler Higbee #89 of the Los Angeles Rams makes a catch for a first down in front of Kyzir White #44 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter of the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Chargers do feature talented players who are considered smaller than the average at their position, but size is starting to matter.

The Chargers have no problem using players who are considered “small” by NFL standards; look no further than Darren Sproles, who at 5’6″ and 190 pounds was one of the most exciting multi-threat backs in team history.

This season, a number of smaller guys are looking to make the initial 53-man roster. Artavis Scott, the team’s leading receiver in the preseason, is 5’11” and 195 pounds (Mike Williams is 6’4″ and 220 pounds). Troymaine Pope has become a fan-favorite to make the roster, and stands at 5’8″ weighing 205 pounds. But will they be left off the roster entirely, simply because the Chargers are moving towards bigger players?

Consider Denzel Perryman and Jatavis Brown; both have been with the team for several productive years, and both are under six feet tall. Both also missed the playoffs last season due to injury. So what did the Chargers do?

  1. Sign Thomas Davis (6’1″)
  2. Draft Drue Tranquill (6’2″)
  3. Draft Emeke Egbule (6’2″)

Didn’t like the 5’10” Jahleel Addae? Draft Nasir Adderley, who is six feet tall. Not enough size on the defensive line? How about a first-round defensive tackle who stands at a whopping 6’6″?

It’s a problem the smaller men on the roster will face come cut time. Much debate has been had among fans discussing whether Scott will make the final roster, but is anyone afraid Geremy Davis (6’3″) isn’t? Here’s what else the Chargers did at the wide receiver position just recently: Sign the 6’3″ Dontrelle Inman. The Chargers are quietly building a bigger 53-man roster.

It’s not to say they would completely ignore smaller players; after all, Desmond King, who was notoriously knocked for his size coming out of college, is an All-Pro at two positions. And not all bigger players hold up physically, as evidenced by Kyzir White’s early injury forcing him to injured reserve last season. But it’s clear the Chargers have the belief that size does matter in the NFL, and after a bullying in Foxborough, it’s hard to disagree with them.

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