Chargers add new tight end to the fold by signing former top target for Zach Wilson

Many positions on the LA Chargers' depth chart are locked up ahead of the final preseason game of the year. However, there are several areas that are in flux as no player has emerged as a concrete option to turn to.

One of those areas is at tight end. The first three tight ends on the roster — Will Dissly, Hayden Hurst and Donald Parham — are set in stone. The fourth tight end spot, which is inevitable in a Greg Roman offense with no dedicated fullback, is still being decided.

Stone Smartt was the favorite heading into training camp but he has not been overly impressive. None of the undrafted free agents have stood out head and shoulders above the rest. Recently signed TE/FB Tusker Fisk may have a chance but it is impossible to ink his name in pen in such a short amount of time.

With that elusive fourth tight end spot on the roster still up for grabs, the Chargers added a new name to the mix who will look to make a mark in the final preseason game of the year: Isaac Rex. Los Angeles signed Rex on Thursday, waiving Michael Mason to make room on the roster.

Chargers sign Isaac Rex to compete for roster spot

Rex is not going to have a lot of time to make an impression on the Chargers as the NFL's cut day is less than a week away. However, he will get several practices to prove his worth to the team as well as the final preseason game of the year.

That will ultimately be the proving ground for all of these tight ends that should decide who makes the roster. With the position wide open, the fourth tight end will likely be whoever looks the best on Saturday against the Cowboys. That includes a newcomer like Rex.

Rex is an intriguing player as there is some pass-catching potential in his game. Back in Zach Wilson's final year at BYU, Rex put together impressive pass-catching stats for a freshman. The six-foot-five tight end hauled in 37 catches for 429 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Rex was never able to duplicate those numbers after Wilson was drafted to the NFL and his draft stock plummeted to the point he became a UDFA this year. He was signed by the Detroit Lions after the draft but ultimately ended up being cut.

It would be disingenuous to pretend like Rex is some home-run signing that will undoubtedly blossom into an elite pass-catching tight end. However, productive players have come from more unconventional places in the past, so to completely rule him out is also not fair.

There is at least some potential there that the Chargers see in Rex's game. Even if he does not make the 53-man roster, if he builds on that potential he could be a practice squad player who eventually gets his chance to produce for the Bolts.