The Los Angeles Chargers' rookies, for the most part, have shown out in training camp.
We still don't have a clear answer on how Jake Slaughter is progressing in the competition for the starting left guard spot. But beyond that, rookie wide receiver Brenen Thompson has already turned heads with his blazing spped and his downfield catch abilities. Genesis Smith is putting up a strong showing in the competition for the third safety spot. Even fifth-round tackle Travis Burke has had some solid reps in camp.
But the under-the-radar camp stars of this rookie class may actually be a pair of UDFAs— cornerbacks Avery Smith and Rodney Shelley. Both players have drawn praise from the coaching staff and their teammates for their intensity and rapid improvement in team drills.
Neither piece has a clear-cut path to the roster, even with the departure of Benjamin St-Juste opening up another outside cornerback role this offseason. But if either is going to make a push, live preseason action will present their best opportunity.
The Chargers' looming matchup against the Houston Texans, then, should be circled in red marker on Smith and Shelley's calendars.
Rodney Shelley and Avery Smith will need a strong preseason showing to push for the 53-man roster
Both Shelley and Avery have already made their imprint through the first two weeks of training camp. Defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary called both players "elite competitors," expressing excitement to see them in live preseason action.
Smith has been one of the most intriguing members of the Chargers' UDFA class since they picked him up post-draft. He's undersized for an outside corner at just 5'10", but he has the tenacity and agility in coverage to function well as a slot corner/nickelback. He'll need to compete with current backup nickel Nikko Reed for a shot at the 53-man roster. Reed was limited to just five games last season and played a highly limited role behind Derwin James Jr.
Shelley, meanwhile, is also undersized for an outside corner. Although both players played the position in college (Smith at Toledo, Shelley at Georgia Tech) they both seem better suited for a role on the inside. Where Shelley might have the edge is as a tackler and run defender— he missed just 7.9% of his tackles in 2025 and consistently showed an ability to trigger downhill against the run game.
As mentioned above, neither player currently has a clear path to the roster. Donte Jackson, Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart, Eric Rogers, and Deane Leonard are likely roster locks. Both Smith or Shelley will need to compete to displace Reed for that final spot.
Training camp reps can help solidify a player's case for a roster spot.
But last season, for example, Rogers needed a massive, two-interception preseason showing against the New Orleans Saints to truly turn heads. Although an injury prevented him from playing a down in 2025, the Chargers kept him on the initial 53-man roster to avoid relegating him to the practice squad.
Smith or Shelley will need to have a similar showing if they want to push for the roster, and their first opportunity will come against Houston on Aug. 13.
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