The LA Chargers got a head start in player evaluation having played in the Hall of Fame Game last Thursday against the Detroit Lions. While there are still three more preseason games to take into account, Chargers fans have a much better perspective on the roster than they did a week ago.
This makes it easier to roll out a 53-man roster projection and boy is it different from the last one we put together. A lot has changed with just one preseson game, including those who we think will make the team.
Chargers' 53-man roster projection after Hall of Fame Game:
Quarterbacks (3): Justin Herbert, Trey Lance, Taylor Heinicke
It sounds crazy, but Trey Lance might be the QB2 on the Chargers depth chart right now. The 2021 third-overall pick looked the best he ever has in the NFL during the Hall of Fame Game and his skillset matches better with Greg Roman's offense. Taylor Heinicke has work to do.
Running backs (4): Omarion Hampton, Najee Harris, Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins
Hassan Haskins did not make the cut in the last 53-man roster projection but his strong showing in the Hall of Fame Game gets him the nod. His special-teams play will give him an advantage over Nyheim Allen-Hines for the fourth and final running back spot.
We are also assuming that Najee Harris will be ready to go for Week 1 of the 2025 season. If not, Harris would start on IR and pave way for either Raheim Sanders or Allen-Hines to make the 53-man roster.
Fullback (1): Scott Matlock
There isn't much competition to be had at the fullback position right now. Two-way player Scott Matlock has the job locked down. The real question is how much defense he plays.
Wide receiver (6): Tre' Harris, Keenan Allen, Ladd McConkey, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Derius Davis
No, Keenan Allen has not signed with the Chargers at the time of writing this article. However, the wide receiver room is missing one extra person without him, and after meeting with the Chargers last week, it seems inevitable that it will happen.
With or without Allen, standout rookie KeAndre Lamber-Smith will likely start the season as a backup wide out. As special as Lambert-Smith has been, the Chargers will likely give starting reps to Tre' Harris and Quentin Johnston first... at least to start the season.
And even if Allen isn't signed, it's likely the end of the road for 2024 seventh-round pick, Brenden Rice. It seems impossible for Rice to make the 53-man roster.
Tight end (3): Will Dissly, Tyler Conklin, Oronde Gadsden II
Oronde Gadsden II is going everything he can to usurp Tyler Conklin as the TE2 and the rookie just may do that. Either way, Will Dissly is likely locked in as the TE1, especially after seeing how the Chargers used him against the Lions.
Offensive line (9): Rashawn Slater, Jamaree Salyer, Bradley Bozeman, Mekhi Becton, Joe Alt, Trey Pipkins, Zion Johnson, Branson Taylor, Andre James
Maybe the Chargers don't go in this direction, but it feels like the team is going to bench Zion Johnson after his showing in the Hall of Fame Game. While it was not all bad from a blocking perspective, the snap issues simply cannot happen with a starting center.
And if Johnson loses the center battle he may lose the left guard battle as well. Jamaree Salyer has gotten first-team reps at left guard and is arguably the better player at this point in time.
Interior defensive line (5): Teair Tart, Da'Shawn Hand, Otitio Ogbonnia, Jamaree Caldwell, Justin Eboigbe
There were some positive flashes from this unit against the Lions and some disappointing moments as well. This group seems to be pretty locked in stone, however, and it would be shocking to see it change at all.
EDGE (4): Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree, Kyle Kennard
Kyle Kennard is the only player in this group who played in the Hall of Fame Game and he didn't make much of an impression. However, the pass-rush upside is there, even if it is not as needed in a room this stacked with talent.
Linebacker (5): Daiyan Henley, Denzel Perryman, Junior Colson, Troy Dye, Del'Shawn Phillips
The real story of the linebacker room is second-year third-round pick, Junior Colson. A lot of Chargers fans penciled Colson in to start (because of his Michigan ties) and to have a second-year breakout like Daiyan Henley did last season.
However, Colson really struggled against the Lions and has not done anything to usurp Denzel Perryman. Perryman was arrested over the weekend for a felony weapons charge, adding another variable to the mix. If all goes well, Perryman will start in Week 1.
Cornerback (6): Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart, Donte Jackson, Benjamin St-Juste, Deane Leonard, Nikko Reed
The biggest riser in this group is Nikko Reed, who did not make the cut in our last 53-man roster projections. Reed has been thriving in training camp and followed that up with a near-pick-six against the Lions.
It was hard to fill out that sixth corner spot for quite some time. As of right now, though, the answer seems pretty straightforward. Unfortunately, that means that 2022 draft pick Ja'Sir Taylor will see the door.
That makes two recent draft picks who are cut as part of this projection.
Safety (4): Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, Elijah Molden, R.J. Mickens
There are five safeties who deserve a spot on the 53-man roster but with Reed's emergence at corner, there is only room for four. This will likely result in veteran Tony Jefferson getting cut, although he should be instantly re-signed to the practice squad.
Special teams (3): Cameron Dicker, J.K. Scott, Josh Harris
No changes here and there will not be any changes anytime soon. This is the special teams trio that the Chargers will deploy in 2025.