Chargers: Five worst mistakes with initial 53-man roster

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 18: T.Y. McGill #99 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after making a sack in the second half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 18, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Chargers decision No. 3: Releasing Anthony Lanier

It’s hard to imagine Lanier finding a role with the team with Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, and Isaac Rochell ahead of him, as well as the now on-the-roster Chris Peace battling for playing time with him. But it felt like Lanier deserved a spot.

He’s done everything from defend a pass to sack the quarterback, as well as rack up 16 total tackles with the Chargers this preseason. He’s massive, he’s quick, and surprisingly around the ball carrier often for a defensive lineman. He’s an easy candidate for the practice squad, but going back to an earlier point, it certainly felt like he deserved a spot over Dzubnar.

Chargers decision No. 2: Letting T.Y. McGill go

McGill quietly had a really solid preseason, culminating in probably his best game of the four in the team’s last matchup. Drue Tranquill made the interception in Week One, but it was McGill who put the pressure on the quarterback to make the errant throw.

S/O TY on the pressure??⚡️ https://t.co/AxNh3eITg6

— Drue Tranquill (@DTranquill) August 9, 2019

McGill played better than seventh-round rookie Cortez Broughton, but the rookie made it on the roster nonetheless. Youth and draft pick retention is important, but it feels like McGill would have had more of an impact this season.