Between now and Aug. 30, the Los Angeles Chargers will have quite a few difficult decisions on their plate.
In terms of cut candidates, there are two recently drafted pieces— Junior Colson and Kyle Kennard— whom the Chargers may need to let loose, depending on how the final roster unfolds. Neither of those will be easy choices. But even beyond that, they need to figure out what positional groups deserve the extra spots across their final 53-man roster.
If Nadame Tucker completes his push to make the team, does that mean the Chargers carry five edge rushers? Do they want to carry an extra linebacker in order to work Colson back into the fold? What does Avery Smith's sneaky push for a potential nickel role mean for the depth chart among the cornerbacks?
Relatively lost in all of this has been second-year wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith. He didn't have the most productive rookie season under Greg Roman, and Mike McDaniel's penchant for multiple tight-end sets could lead Los Angeles to carry less than six receivers onto the final 53-man roster. If that's the case, Lambert-Smith would likely be the odd man out.
But his performance in the Chargers' preseason opener against the Houston Texans sent an entirely different message. If he has this sort of upside on quick-timing routes, what can he ultimately become in Mike McDaniel's scheme?
KeAndre Lambert-Smith gets a major boost in the Chargers' preseason opener
Lambert-Smith can't entirely be blamed for his lack of rookie production. As Greg Roman's scheme continued to devolve over the campaign, consistent opportunities through the air were fewer and further between. Lambert-Smith finished the season with just five receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown. He took just 19% of offensive snaps over the course of 10 games, easily being surpassed by fellow rookie Tre' Harris on the depth chart.
McDaniel carried less than six receivers on the initial 53-man roster in three out of his four seasons with the Miami Dolphins. If Derius Davis is able to lock up his job as the Chargers' return man, he would need to be WR5.
But that doesn't mean Lambert-Smith has nothing left to be unlocked. He was Los Angeles' primary weapon across their first handful of drives on Thursday night, slicing through the Texans' secondary time and time again to flash a consistent and reliable target for the struggling Trey Lance.
He posted four receptions for 58 yards on a total of six targets. Although his snap share and opportunities decreased over the course of the game—and virtually vanished when DJ Uiagalelei came in— he proved what he needed to in the first quarter.
McDaniel's air attack will look to capitalize on quick-timing routes and YAC opportunities. It's why Ladd McConkey will likely be the primary option in this offense out of the slot. But it's also why Lambert-Smith still has a real chance to make the roster.
He's not as fast as Brenen Thompson, but his 4.37 40 yard dash time and clear command over quick slants and hooks in the short parts of the field have been his calling cards since he entered the league.
He'll need to continue to impress over the remainder of camp and the Chargers' preseason appearances, and he'll need to continue to progress in the nuance of his route-running. But it's clear now that Lambert-Smith isn't going down without a fight.
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