A bombshell announcement hit the Chargers' roster last week when it was announced the WR Mike Williams opted to retire. It's worth noting that Los Angeles could still peruse the free agent market at the position and see what's available. But for now, the team is taking a next man up approach.
Williams wasn't exactly expected to be the prime 1000 yard season version of himself. But, he was expected to be a solid player in the rotation. OC Greg Roman admitted that the team will indeed have to fill the void in his absence. The Chargers also signed RB Nyheim Hines yesterday after a workout.
Without any further ado, let's get into what the Chargers roster could look like with a seismic change in the WR room.
Chargers' 53-man roster prediction following Mike Williams' retirement and the signing of Nyheim Hines:
Quarterback (3): Justin Herbert, Taylor Heinicke, Trey Lance
Roman was asked directly if there was a quarterback competition between Taylor Heinicke and Trey Lance for the backup job behind Justin Herbert. He called it a "good, healthy competition". Heinicke was Herbert's primary backup last year as Easton Stick was QB3/emergency quarterback.
Regardless of the backup spot winner, the Chargers keeping three would make sense under the gameday rules. The third quarterback would count against their initial 53, but not their gameday roster. Perhaps the front office thinks about it twice if there's a late round draft pick or UDFA somewhere else on the roster that they really wouldn't want to let hit waivers. That tends to be pretty rare on cutdown day though.
Running back (4): Omarion Hampton, Najee Harris, Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins
The Chargers placed RB Najee Harris on the NFI list last week after his July 4th weekend fireworks accident. All we know as of now per his agent is that he sustained a superficial eye injury. However, HC Jim Harbaugh did confirm that Harris is in the building for team meetings and other non-practice activities.
As of this moment, there's not enough known on the Harris injury to suggest that he'll miss regular season time. That would require the Chargers keeping him on the NFI list at the time they make the 53-man roster. If that were the case, Harris would miss the first four games. For the time being, I'm approaching this as more of a missing training camp matter than anything affecting his regular season.
On Monday, the Chargers opted to sign RB Nyheim Hines after it was reported that he worked out for the team. For now, I'm opting to keep the four running backs the same. Until there's a more negative update on the status of Harris, Hines is likely competing for a practice squad role. Given the fact that he hasn't played in the NFL in three years, this feels more like a preseason filler than a true regular season body.
Wide receiver (6): Ladd McConkey, Tre' Harris, Quentin Johnston, Derius Davis, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Jalen Reagor
Jalen Reagor was the clear beneficiary of Williams' retirement. With Williams on the roster, Reagor would've been on the border as a WR7. Now, he's pretty clearly leaning towards the inside of the 53-man roster.
The top WR trio of the Chargers in terms of the slot, X, and Z roles is now Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Tre' Harris. No questions to be asked of that group there in terms of making the roster.
It's worth noting that special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken mentioned WR/KR Derius Davis as a core part of their operations yesterday. He included Davis in the group of names like LS Josh Harris, K Cameron Dicker, and P J.K. Scott. While there will always be returner competition in camp, Davis' spot feels safe.
Fullback (1): Scott Matlock
Right now it feels like UDFA TE/FB Stevo Klotz is more of a practice squad candidate than true competition for Scott Matlock. That could change when the pads come on this week. But Matlock holds down his spot for at least this season. The defensive versatility he can bring to the roster even if the coaching staff doesn't want him playing there a lot is useful for a group that is reworking their IDL rotation.
Tight end (3): Will Dissly, Tyler Conklin, Oronde Gadsden II
No true surprises here. Both Tyler Conklin and Oronde Gadsden II have impressed as receivers in training camp. Will Dissly is still around to be your primary blocking TE with a slightly smaller receiving role this year now that the Chargers have more flexibility there.
This is a spot where they could keep four. If they wanted a little extra blocking, the name that would make it here is Tucker Fisk. Even if he doesn't make the initial 53-man roster, I'm sure he'd have his fair amount of practice squad elevations and usage. For the time being, I have him on the bubble.
Offensive line (9): Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Mekhi Becton, Joe Alt, Trey Pipkins, Jamaree Salyer, Andre James, Branson Taylor
Pretty straight forward here. Regardless of the center battle outcome, the five offensive line starters will be Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Mekhi Becton, and Joe Alt.
Behind them, Trey Pipkins will serve at the primary swing tackle. He's been in that role during camp when Slater has missed practices. Jamaree Salyer is your primary backup guard while Andre James is your backup center. Sixth-round selection Branson Taylor stays on the main roster to start his NFL development along the IOL.
Defensive tackle (6): Da'Shawn Hand, Teair Tart, Justin Eboigbe, Jamaree Caldwell, Naquan Jones, Otito Ogbonnia
This is a group undergoing a pretty serious reworking after losing Poona Ford and Morgan Fox in the offseason. Da'Shawn Hand and Teair Tart will be relied on as your primary DTs. After that, the rotation will lean pretty heavily on players like Justin Eboigbe, Naquan Jones, and Otito Ogbonnia.
Of interest to me here is how quickly Jamaree Caldwell comes along. He's consistently worked on the third team so far in training camp. As the pads come on, one would assume he comes along pretty quickly. If he can produce real snaps for the Chargers as opposed to being more developmental this year, the pass rush and run defense ceiling for this line jump a little higher.
Edge rusher (4): Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree, Kyle Kennard
No mysteries here. In the first year without Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu will be your top line pass rushers. Bud Dupree received an extension this offseason as he holds down a more rotational role.
Kyle Kennard comes out of the draft as a bit of an older pass rusher fresh off an SEC Defensive Player of the Year campaign. If he can make a difference early on, the Chargers won't feel the absence of Bosa quite as much.
Linebacker (5): Daiyan Henley, Denzel Perryman, Junior Colson, Troy Dye, Del'Shawn Phillips
For now, the top starting duo is Daiyan Henley and Denzel Perryman. Junior Colson will rotate in and play special teams, as will Troy Dye. The Chargers lost Nick Niemann as their core special teams linebacker this offseason and replaced him with a free agent signing in Del'Shawn Phillips.
That appears to be your five at linebacker for the time being. Special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken mentioned Kana'i Mauga as someone heavily involved in the installations early on in camp. He probably doesn't have a roster spot available to him, but Mauga definitely a name to watch if there is an injury or even as a practice squad fixture.
Syracuse UDFA LB Marlowe Wax could also be a practice squad name to watch here.
Cornerback (5): Cam Hart, Tarheeb Still, Donte Jackson, Benjamin St-Juste, Deane Leonard
This group faces a decent among of uncertainty past the top three names. In some order, Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart, and Donte Jackson are a starting trio so to speak. Keep in mind that S Derwin James will also play a lot of slot corner. He played there frequently enough to earn an All-Pro nomination there instead of safety.
Long time roster fixture Ja'Sir Taylor and seventh-round pick Trikweze Bridges miss the cut for me, but could still very easily make the roster. Taylor is probably the pick between those two names if the Chargers want a little bit more help in the slot as they have a number of bigger, boundary corners in the five names I listed.
Safety (4): Derwin James Jr., Alohi Gilman, Elijah Molden, RJ Mickens
The safety rotation Jesse Minter loves to use is his trio of James, Alohi GIlman and Elijah Molden. Molden was recently activated off of the PUP list earlier this week following recovery from a torn meniscus and broken leg. The Chargers missed him at the end of last season after he was injured in the Patriots game.
RJ Mickens holds down the fourth spot for now. The other contender here is Tony Jefferson. Jefferson played critical snaps for the Chargers towards the end of last seasons as injuries piled up in the secondary. But with how flexible they showed they could be with his usage and practice squad elevations last season, I think they'd prioritize their sixth-round pick here.
Specialists (3): K Cameron Dicker, LS Josh Harris, P JK Scott
No surprises here. No punter or kicker competitions to speak of. As Ryan Ficken said, continuity of the key three fixtures from last season stays in tact.