The LA Chargers played their third and final preseason game of the year on Friday, defeating the San Francisco 49ers to finish with a 2-1 preseason record. There will be a break in action next weekend and then the Chargers will officially be back to host the Miami Dolphins in Week 1.
The outcomes of the preseason games have never mattered, it is the individual performances that do. Fans should not be excited because the Chargers went 2-1 in the preseason, they should instead be excited about the players who have stood out.
With roster cuts due on Tuesday, Friday's preseason game was a huge proving ground for many players. Some of those players may have cemented their spot on the roster in the game itself.
Stone Smartt may have cemented his place on the Chargers roster
The tight end position has been one of the lowlights of the preseason thus far for the Chargers. Both Donald Parham and Tre' McKitty have really struggled and it has left fans worried about the depth behind Gerald Everett.
The one saving grace has been Stone Smartt, who has been fantastic in both camp and in the preseason games. He turned in another promising showing as both a pass-catcher and blocker on Friday, likely cementing his place on the team.
The Chargers have ran four tight ends on the roster before and if there was ever a time to do so it would be now with the question marks in the position group. Smartt may not just make the roster, he may end up moving up the depth chart more and more as the year goes along.