As the Los Angeles Chargers complete their mandatory minicamp, we now enter the true doldrums of the offseason.
The good news is that, with each passing day, we're a bit closer to Chargers football. The bad news is that the lingering roster and position battles that have sustained us this offseason will be put on pause until the pads come on next month.
That being said, let's take a look at the state things have been left in at the conclusion of the Chargers' OTAs and minicamp. Thing have already (somewhat) started to crystallize.
Biggest risers and fallers at the conclusion of the Chargers' mandatory minicamp
Genesis Smith, Safety (Winner)
Smith was selected in the fourth-round by Los Angeles in this year's draft. The selection seems to be a true gamble on his noted ball-hawking skill-set. At the high end of projections, he can quickly turn into a 'center-fielder' type of deep safety that can allow Derwin James more flexibility to play. closer to the line of scrimmage. There are lingering concerns, however, about his tackling abilities. He missed 18 tackles during his final college season, per Pro Football Focus. Evidently, it's something the Chargers think they can clean up.
We've heard from numerous sources, though, that Smith has turned heads through OTAs and minicamp. He'll be competing with Tony Jefferson and RJ Mickens for rotational snaps at the second safety spot, and it seems as though he's already put the right foot forward.
Trevor Penning, Offensive Guard (Winner)
The battle for the Chargers' starting left guard spot is still being waged. Up until minicamp, it seemed as though offseason signing Kayode Awosika had taken an early lead as he took the majority of first-team reps through OTAs. While second-round pick Jake Slaughter took second-team reps, Penning worked off to the side with positional coaches as he attempted to rehab an undisclosed injury.
We learned from Jim Harbaugh that Penning was fully active for minicamp, meaning that he's officially now back in the mix for the starting job. As the only one of the aforementioned trio with extensive starting experience, it's quite possible Penning could quickly gain the edge in the competition.
Tre' Harris, Wide Receiver (Winner)
This offseason, the Chargers' coaching staff has consistently praised Harris— even going so far as to claim him as part of their trio of 'elite receivers'. Harris's production was relatively limited during his rookie campaign. He posted just 324 yards on 30 receptions and saw the field on 49% of the team's offensive snaps.
But with Keenan Allen still out of the picture, Harris has a chance to carve out a major role under Mike McDaniel's scheme. Per Tyler Sullivan at CBS Sports, Harris has already taken steps in the right direction to prove he's worthy of that opportunity.
Tony Jefferson, Safety (Loser)
Of course, it's difficult to find reports of players 'struggling' in OTAs and minicamp. Both of our losers, therefore, link directly back to the winners we've highlighted.
After a bit of a delay, the Chargers brough back Jefferson on a one-year, $1.75 million deal, presumably with a strong shot to start at safety next to Elijah Molden whenever James slides into a nickel role. But even prior to the offseason program, Jefferson already had second-year defender Mickens breathing down his neck. Mickens had his inconsistencies as a rookie, but he also showed some strong stretches in coverage.
Now that Smith is emerging as a potential rookie breakout for Los Angeles, there's a chance Jefferson's snaps start to get siphoned away as the season goes on.
Brenen Thompson, Wide Receiver (Loser)
Thompson's primary skill is his blazing speed, and that will earn him at least complementary role in McDaniel's offense from the jump. But it was always going to be an uphill path for Thompson to earn a significant snap share as a rookie. While it's certainly not an impossible feat, the continued rise of Harris and Thompson's and the minor injury Thompson suffered during minicamp could prove to be a major obstacle.
Thompson also has special-teams experience, and he likely has a path to displacing Derius Davis as the team's kick or punt returner. But he wasn't on the field with the slew of players the Chargers tested out at the position this week, representing another potential setback for the rookie receiver.
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