Chargers 53-man roster prediction at the start of training camp
By Jason Reed
Chargers 53-man roster prediction, the offense:
QB: Justin Herbert, Chase Daniel (2)
The LA Chargers carried three quarterbacks on the roster last season and it is just a massive waste. That extra roster spot could be used for things that are so much better than Easton Stick, who has no real purpose to this team. He is not a veteran mentor and he doesn't add anything else.
RB: Austin Ekeler, Isaiah Spiller, Larry Rountree (3)
Larry Rountree wins the battle of RB3s with Joshua Kelley, who will either be released or sent to the practice squad. Quite frankly, I like UDFA Leddie Brown a lot more than Kelley to make the practice squad.
Three running backs may not seem like enough but there is an exact reason for that, which can be explained with our wide receiver predictions.
FB: Zander Horvath (1)
The LA Chargers took Zander Horvath in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft and it would be shocking to see him lose the position battle to Gabe Nabers, who really hasn't done much in his NFL career thus far.
WR: Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Josh Palmer, Jalen Guyton, DeAndre Carter, Joe Reed (6)
The Chargers carried five receivers on the depth chart last season, which is strange as most teams carry six. The extra roster spot that is going to Stick for literally nothing should instead be going to Joe Reed, who I still haven't given up on.
Reed can really be a versatile offensive piece that the Chargers line up in the backfield, at receiver, and use in pre-snap motion. That brings way more value to the team than Stick with Reed providing receiver and running back depth.
TE: Gerald Everett, Donald Parham, Tre' McKitty (3)
You could make the case for the Bolts carrying four tight ends but I think the Chargers would be better off using an extra offensive lineman with the different range of talent they have in this tight end room. Everett, Parham and McKitty all add something unique and a fourth tight end is not needed, especially with Horvath at fullback.
OL: Rashawn Slater, Matt Feiler, Corey Linsley, Zion Johnson, Trey Pipkins, Storm Norton, Brenden Jaimes, Will Clapp, Jamaree Salyer, Zach Bailey (10)
The Chargers have rebuilt the offensive line over the last two seasons as this is a starting group and reserve group that the team can be proud of. The tackle depth still is not the best with Norton and Bailey being the backup options but the team has a lot of depth on the interior.
That makes it easier for the team to even kick Matt Feiler out to tackle if needed to help there with other options to play guard.
Total offensive players: 25