The LA Chargers have one more preseason game remaining with the 53-man roster starting to take shape. While there are still some spots around the roster fringes that need to be decided, the foundation of the roster is set in stone.
This foundation includes a few surprising decisions. The Chargers will likely shop a quarterback on the trade market, may cut several draft picks, and even have a player on the roster who is not even on the team yet.
That may not make sense before diving into the nitty-gritty of the 53-man roster. So let's dive in.
Updated Chargers 53-man roster projection:
Quarterback (2): Justin Herbert, Trey Lance
Trey Lance has clearly won the backup quarterback job over Taylor Heinicke and with more depth needed in other areas, the Chargers go against the grain and carry two quarterbacks in this 53-man roster projection.
In a perfect world, the Bolts can swing a trade for Heinicke that nets them a late-round pick in return. This is trade No. 1.
Running back (4): Omarion Hampton, Kimani Vidal, Raheim Sanders, Hassan Haskins
The running backs have been less-than-inspiring thus far in the preseason, but can you blame them? They have been running behind the backup offensive line, which looks like it should belong on a Division II NCAA team, not an NFL team.
Until we hear otherwise, we are going to assume Najee Harris won't be available to start the season. The clock is ticking to the regular season and Harris hasn't made any substantial progress worth writing home about.
Full back (1): Scott Matlock
There's probably a case to be made about the Chargers using this roster spot elsewhere, but the Bolts don't seem motivated at all to do so. Scott Matlock is locked in as the Chargers' two-way player at fullback and on the defensive line.
Wide receiver (6): Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston, Tre' Harris, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Derius Davis
The question isn't which six receivers are going to make the 53-man roster, that is rather straightforward. Instead, the question revolves around how the depth chart shakes out as Herbert may have his deepest wide receiver room to date.
Quentin Johnston's scary injury and subsequent great play from the rookie receivers on Saturday may have shaken up the depth chart, but there is still a lot that needs to be settled. Either way, the Chargers are in a good spot at wideout.
Tight end (3): Will Dissly, Tyler Conklin, Oronde Gadsden II
There haven't been any changes at the tight end position throughout the preseason, although Tucker Fisk is making a great case to make the roster. He is arguably the best blocker in the tight end room and we all know how much Jim Harbaugh loves great blocking.
There just isn't enough room to go around for Fisk to make the roster at this point in time. If there was one area to trim on offense, it would be running back, substituting the fourth running back for a fourth tight end.
Offensive line (9): Joe Alt, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Mekhi Becton, Trey Pipkins, Jamaree Salyer, Branson Taylor, Andre James, Player TBD
Player TBD? Who is that? It's someone who is not currently on the roster who will undoubtedly be on the roster by the time the season starts.
The Chargers need a better swing tackle; there is no debating that. Nobody on the roster has proven to be reliable enough and the Bolts cannot afford to sit around and wait for it to get better internally. This is trade No. 2.
Interior defensive line (5): Teair Tart, Da'Shawn Hand, Jamaree Caldwell, Otito Ogbonnia, Justin Eboigbe
This room is essentially six players deep with Scott Matlock pulling double-duty on offense and defense. It remains to be seen how much the Chargers will use him on the defensive line, but with plenty of depth, it may not be frequently.
This is a solid unit upfront that also sees the departure of one offseason signing, Naquan Jones. Jones just appears to be the odd man out in the defensive line room with nowhere to really put him.
EDGE (5): Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree, Caleb Murphy, Kyle Kennard
Caleb Murphy has been one of the biggest standouts of the preseason and may force the Chargers to carry a fifth edge rusher. While he had a slower game against the Rams, he has still done enough to this point to earn a spot on the roster prediction.
That being said, this can all change. If the Chargers need room elsewhere, they could opt to waive Murphy and hope that no other team in the league claims him. As great as Murphy as been, there is a good chance he would pass through waivers and the Chargers could make him a protected member of the practice squad.
For now, he makes the cut as the fifth edge rusher.
Linebacker (5): Daiyan Henley, Denzel Perryman, Junior Colson, Troy Dye, Marlowe Wax
Marlowe Wax has emerged as a player to watch closely during the preseason and he has not disappointed. With Del'Shawn Phillips still on the PUP list with no signs of returning any time soon, the UDFA out of Syracuse gets the roster spot.
The real storyline to watch as the season unfolds is the battle for the second starting linebacker position. Junior Colson was the favorite heading into training camp but he has not done nearly enough to usurp Denzel Perryman.
Cornerback (6): Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart, Donte Jackson, Deane Leonard, Nikko Reed, Benjamin St-Juste
In a perfect world, the Chargers would find an upgrade over Benjamin St-Juste and not include him on the 53-man roster. He has been woeful in the preseason and that tracks with how he played with the Washington Commanders before coming to LA.
This is a room that could use an addition of some kind before the start of the 2025 season. It lacks a certain punch, and is truly one or two injuries away from being disastrous for the Bolts.
There is the option of carrying one fewer cornerback in favor of carrying one extra safety because of the versatility that exists in that room. For now, though, it appears six corners will make the roster.
Safety (4): Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, Elijah Molden, R.J. Mickens
Derwin James primarily plays in the nickel and Elijah Molden provides versatility as well. If the Chargers really wanted to, they could include Tony Jefferson on the 53-man roster as a backup and lean more on R.J. Mickens, who has been a star this preseason.
Regardless of which direction the Chargers go, safety is the deepest position on the entire roster. There is talent all over the place and it will ultimately serve as the heartbeat of the defense.
Special teams (3): Cameron Dicker, J.K. Scott, Josh Harris
You made it this far in the 53-man roster prediction! This trio has been the same all of camp and it won't change.