3 risers (and 3 fallers) from the Chargers' preseason finale loss to the Rams

The Chargers finished out their preseason schedule with a matchup against the Rams at SoFi stadium. Outside of specific player standouts, the objective of this game was clear. After getting beaten badly by the 49ers in all phases last week, it was all about execution and performance in this one as opposed to the final score.

And for the most part, it was an improved effort for the Chargers. Well, at least I'd say that for offense and defense. Maybe we'll get to the special teams in a bit.

Risers and fallers from the preseason Chargers finale vs. the Rams

Riser: QB Justin Herbert

It was a quick 3-and-out last week for Justin Herbert and the offense before Trey Lance came into the game to replace him. And it looked like we might've been headed for a similar meh performance by the starters in this game after Justin Herbert fumbled an attempted handoff to Omarion Hampton.

But then Herbert came out for his next drive. And Mike McDaniel's offense got about as signature of a moment as you can produce in preseason football:

The Chargers' starting offense still has to prove their ability to run the ball consistently from drive to drive. You'd also like to see what a 10-15 play consistent quick option passing drive looks like for Herbert. But the one thing that isn't a question is Herbert's arm talent. This is the best QB McDaniel has worked with. And while it's just one throw, it gave the audience a taste of what's the come. Herbert's TD pass traveled further in the air than any Tua Tagovailoa completion under McDaniel.

If the pocket stays as clean in pass pro for Herbert as it did during the aforementioned TD pass, that's another scary conundrum for the league.

Faller: QB Trey Lance

Did Trey Lance lose his QB2 spot? I'm not sure, we'll see by Sunday. But he didn't do anything to solidify his position either. This preseason, Lance threw for a 65.4 passer rating in three games. That's down nearly 20 points from his 85.0 rating last year. Lance committed four turnover worthy plays this preseason. That figure was zero last year. It was just a markedly less efficient performance both by the film and most statistics.

On seven dropbacks last night, Lance attempted just two passes. He'd bail on plays that were coming open and took a poor sack out of a lack of awareness. Except for brief moments in the second preseason game, this was mostly what we saw from Lance over the summer. The NDSU product had a fair amount of turnovers in camp.

Would the Chargers actually trust DJ Uiagalelei to be QB2 over Lance? I'm skeptical, even with the second-year former UDFA making progress. But I am reminded of 2024 when Joe Hortiz explored the external QB market with a struggling Easton Stick to trade for Taylor Heinicke. That kind of possibility is on the table after last night.

Riser: RB Greg Desrosiers Jr.

Memphis UDFA RB Greg Desrosiers Jr. was probably the biggest winner of last night. Considering the makeup of the running back room, it would still be very tough to make the roster. But when it comes to practice squad consideration, Desrosiers has proven why his name deserves a spot just as much as Jaret Patterson or Amar Johnson.

Desrosiers had nine carries for 118 yards and a 34 yard rushing TD to go along with it:

The performance spoke to the depth at RB on the roster and ultimately how comfortable the Chargers should feel behind their top 3.

Faller: P JK Scott

Last week, JK Scott hit a punt short and then didn't attempt to tackle. The lack of an effort to tackle resulted in him getting publicly chewed out by both HC Jim Harbaugh and STC Ryan Ficken.

This week, JK Scott shanked two punts. One traveled just 20 yards (LAC 9 yard line to 29 yardline) while the other went for 33. The Chargers' defense almost immediately gave up a score following the 20 yard punt specifically.

It's frustrating the Chargers didn't bring in competition for Scott after his performances towards the end of last season. Both the Houston and New England games had bad punts which cost LA field position and points. Maybe they'll bring in competition during practice soon, but for now it feels too late.

Riser: Chris O'Leary's defense

Chris O'Leary said during the week that he wanted to see better execution relative to the fairly undisciplined defensive football the team played vs. the 49ers. For the most part, the defense put on a much better performance vs. the Rams. When the starters/second string were out there, the Rams managed just three points. Those were mostly given to them by the early Justin Herbert fumble.

The goal line stand that forced a turnover on downs was my favorite piece of defending on the night. But overall, it felt like O'Leary's group learned a lot and put together a much better performance than last week.

Faller: The EDGE5 race

Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Akheem Mesidor, and Bud Dupree are four locks for the roster. The question for most of this camp has been whether the Chargers will end up keeping a fifth EDGE. Kyle Kennard, Nadame Tucker, and now Andre Carter II would be the presumed candidates.

It's been a rough preseason for Kennard and Tucker. Kennard didn't have an inspiring first game and then was injured in the 49ers joint practice. He hasn't returned to practice since to be able to work on his game. But we haven't seen the leap and the effort/fluidity as an athlete isn't always there from him. Nadame Tucker has had pass rush flashes, but hasn't been a nearly stout enough defender in the run game to this point.

Carter would probably my pick for EDGE5 if they were to keep one based off of what he's shown on tape for the last two weeks. There's some good pass rush wins and Carter played more special teams snaps than Tucker last night.

But overall, the preseason has driven me more towards the conclusion that the Chargers are likelier to keep four as opposed to five.

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