5 Chargers players who need good showings in the preseason

With the Chargers' first preseason game against the Seahawks rapidly approaching, the Chargers' coaching staff has stressed the importance of the preseason in making the roster.

Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has talked about potentially seeing some under-the-radar performances from the undrafted free-agent crop. Meanwhile, Chargers' head coach Jim Harbaugh has stated his desire to see more from the quarterback room behind Justin Herbert.

Heading into the preseason, there are some Chargers who have some work to do in making the 53-man roster.

Chargers who need a good preseason in 2024:

RB Isaiah Spiller

It's been a rather quiet training camp for Isaiah Spiller outside of some usage in the passing game with the second team. Despite what the teams' unofficial depth chart may say, Jaret Patterson has gotten the bulk of the RB3 reps behind Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. Unlike Kimani Vidal, Spiller also wasn't drafted by this regime.

Last preseason, Spiller played pretty efficiently with 4.5 yards per carry for 68 yards. He may have to do even better than that this time to find a spot on the 53-man roster. The Texas A&M product had under 100 yards on 37 carries last season.

S JT Woods

JT Woods finds himself near the cut line right now as the team's fourth safety. In comments made by Minter earlier this week, the Chargers' defensive coordinator made it clear that AJ Finley is closer to winning the primary backup spot behind Derwin James and Alohi Gilman.

While Woods is still ahead of Tony Jefferson in terms of the teams' practice rotations, it's worth noting the extensive relationship between the recently unretired Jefferson and Joe Hortiz. If Jefferson is able to make some plays in the preseason, there's no doubt he could push Woods.

EDGE Chris Rumph II

Chris Rumph II is not one of the teams' top four EDGE players. In a room that's with talent like Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and Bud Dupree, he's clearly the odd man out.

Where Rumph can make his presence felt is on special teams. When healthy last season, he was a contributor to Ryan Ficken's kicking game. Still, a fifth EDGE might not necessarily be active for that many gamedays (barring injury).

Also putting some degree of pressure on Rumph is UDFA EDGE Tre'Mon Morris-Brash. Minter mentioned wanting to watch the UCF EDGE in the preseason unprompted in his media availability on Wednesday.

OL Alex Leatherwood

Earlier in the week, OC Greg Roman said that Foster Sarell and Alex Leatherwood were in a "dead heat" for the swing tackle battle on the roster. Both Sarell and Leatherwood have also kicked inside to guard at times due to injuries. The former first-round pick from Alabama had some experience playing guard in Chicago last season.

The quest to make the roster is simple for Leatherwood. He has to prove that he's one of the nine best offensive linemen on the team. If he can display some flexibility between tackle and guard in both camp and the preseason, it would certainly boost his chances.

QB Max Duggan

As mentioned earlier, Harbaugh told both Max Duggan and Casey Bauman to "step the game up," at his media availability on Thursday. The signing of Luis Perez clearly puts the former TCU star on the hot seat as far as making the 53-man roster goes.

Duggan had a rather underwhelming preseason last year but still managed to make the roster as a result of being in Tom Telesco's 2023 draft class. But if he plays in the Chargers' three preseason games like he has in camp so far, that will not be the case this time around.