Biggest winners and losers from the start of Chargers training camp

The LA Chargers officially started the long journey of the 2024 season on Wednesday with the first training camp practice of the year. The Bolts rounded out the back half of the week with training camp practices that reminded fans football was back in session.

There is still a long way to go until the start of the 2024 season and the version of the Chargers fans see now is not what the team will see at the start of the year. However, there are still some important takeaways from the first few days of camp that may shape the rest of camp, the preseason and could bleed into the start of the year.

Some players have hit the ground running at training camp while others have had a slow start. It is important to note that this is not final. Just because a player started camp in bad shape does not mean they are destined for failure; alternatively, just because a player's stock is up right now does not mean the 2024 season will be a dream.

Biggest winners and loser from the first wave of Chargers training camp:

Winner - Quentin Johnston

Jim Harbaugh had big things to say about the 2023 first-round pick and the former TCU receiver instantly backed it up with a highlight-reel catch during practice the following day.

A lot of eyes are on Quentin Johnston as he enters a sophomore season that is coming off the heels of a disappointing rookie campaign. Johnston was outright terrible in his rookie season and him potentially taking a step up can drastically help this Chargers' wide receiver room.

Johnston still has a long way to go until he can convince Chargers fans that he has turned a corner. It is going to take many more positive clips out of training camp as well as a good showing in the preseason, assuming he gets snaps.

Loser - J.K. Dobbins

Hopefully, this is just temporary. J.K. Dobbins went up to the podium after Chargers training camp on Thursday and expressed how great he feels in his recovery and how he wants to be a dangerous bully for Harbaugh this season.

Fast forward to Friday's practice where Dobbins was removed early and had to finish the practice inside. At the time of writing, there is no update on why Dobbins was removed from practice early but with his track record, fans have every reason to be concerned.

Dobbins was a flier signing by the Chargers and him leaving practice on Friday was a reminder of that. He may still end up having a great season for the Bolts in 2024 but Friday's practice helped bring fans back down to earth after they were hyped into oblivion due to his comments.

Winner - Jordan McFadden

The backup offensive lineman could have a bigger role than expected in 2024. In addition to providing depth on the offensive line, Jordan McFadden has also been getting snaps at tight end and full back for the Chargers.

Chances are McFadden will only do this in heavy sets on short-yardage situations or near the goal line. However, considering the fullback position is less important and the team did not even have one last year, this could open the door for the Chargers to essentially save a roster spot, utilizing McFadden as the fullback when it is needed. Which leads us to...

Loser - Ben Mason

The Chargers quietly signed former Baltimore Ravens fullback Ben Mason during the offseason to compete for a roster spot this year. Mason does not have a huge track record in the league so it is not like he was coming to the team with an inherent roster advantage.

The fact the team is already trying McFadden at fullback is bad for Mason, who is really going to have to fight uphill to prove he is worth a roster spot this year.

Winner - Daiyan Henley

It is hard to perfectly gauge where a linebacker is at before the team even puts on pads but Daiyan Henley has to feel great about his stock right now. New defensive coordinator Jesse Minter made it a point to give Henley his flowers during his media appearance as he expected the second-year linebacker to play a huge role.

Henley is also going to naturally get more snaps with Junior Colson on the NFI list after having his appendix removed. The 2024 third-round pick will compete for starting snaps with Henley, who has more of a runway to prove himself while Colson recovers.

Loser - JT Woods

JT Woods is entering his third season in the league as a potential cut candidate. The regime that took Woods in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft is no longer here and if he cannot prove to be productive then the Chargers won't bother keeping him around.

There has not been anything inherently bad about Woods thus far in camp but there have been positives around his competition. Veteran safety Tony Jefferson has received praise from both Minter and Derwin James while AJ Finley is even getting reps with the starting secondary.

Woods is really going to have to prove himself to Harbaugh and the coaching staff and thus far he has not done that.