The margins on the ends of an NFL 53-man roster are always slim. With nearly two months left before the Chargers have to finalize their initial roster, it's a good time to check in on some players who may be on the bubble. Even players who get cut and re-signed to the practice squad are critical. The Chargers saw this with RB Kimani Vidal and S Tony Jefferson last season.
Compared to previous seasons, it feels like the roster is deep enough to cause more interesting debates towards the end of the 53. Here are four Chargers players that have an opportunity to prove their way onto the team by September.
4 Chargers who will have a real shot at making the 53-man roster
EDGE Nadame Tucker
Nadame Tucker stands out as the obvious UDFA candidate to make the team. Besides the Chargers potentially wanting to have a more versatile EDGE than Bud Dupree, there's the obvious connection with new DC Chris O'Leary. O'Leary coached Tucker on Western Michigan's 2025 defense before he returned to the Chargers to replace Jesse Minter.
Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and Akheem Mesidor are obviously safe in the EDGE room. Dupree, Tucker, and 2025 fourth-round draft pick Kyle Kennard will need to compete for the remaining roster spot(s). Considering that both Dupree and Kennard were both healthy scratches in the New England playoff games last year, it really doesn't feel like Tucker is competing from too far behind.
Tucker had a career highs in tackles for loss (21.0) and sacks (14.5) in his final collegiate season.
WR Dalevon Campbell
Dalevon Campbell had a quality preseason performance last summer before he ended up on the cut line for the Chargers. Unfortunately, he didn't make it back to the practice squad as he got waiver claimed by Carolina. This offseason, he finds himself back with the Chargers and has another chance to make it.
Campbell first proved himself in rookie minicamp in a tryout capacity last year before having 18.4 yards per reception and 147 yards in the preseason. If there's a wide receiver injury somewhere above him on the roster, it's not hard to see a world where he could make the initial 53. Campbell did also get some work on special teams units last preseason.
It's an uphill battle for him considering the five or six receivers that feel like locks to make it, but crazier things have happened. A good 2025 preseason in addition to an external waiver claim certainly boost his value.
LB Junior Colson
Junior Colson has sadly never had it easy in the NFL. Between an appendectomy, an ankle injury that landed him on IR in 2024 and a season-ending shoulder surgery last year, injuries have clearly derailed his career. Unfortunately, Colson finds himself at a roster crossroads after being a third-round pick just two years ago.
If Colson does have a good preseason period, it feels like he can make the roster in a special teams capacity. A starting role is probably out of the question with Daiyan Henley, Denzel Perryman, and Troy Dye firmly ahead of him. Marlowe Wax feels like the player Colson has to beat out to retain his roster spot if there isn't an injury (easier said than done after last season).
It's unlikely for now, but if Colson is healthy and starts playing like the Michigan version of himself, I wouldn't count him out.
CB Eric Rogers
Eric Rogers made the 53-man roster last year before being stashed on IR so he wouldn't hit waivers. That was emblematic of how high the coaching staff was on the Rutgers prospect. Rogers scored a 97.0 PFF preseason defensive grade before a late ankle injury in the game against the Saints ended his year.
With the departure of Benjamin St-Juste to the Packers, it feels like the Chargers will need more outside corners for depth. That's especially true after the team didn't put resources towards the position during the draft. If Rogers can replicate his 2025 preseason form, he has a chance at a 53-man roster spot.
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