3 Chargers who are playing their way into getting cut in the offseason

3. Dustin Hopkins

To be fair, this does not really have to do with what Dustin Hopkins is doing on the field. The problem is that he has not been on the field for the Chargers and the NFL is a business. Cameron Dicker has been a solid kicker for the LA Chargers and that may prompt the team to make a move at the position.

The one thing going for Hopkins is that he is a respected veteran who has put it all on the line for his team. The last time we saw Hopkins he battled through a hamstring injury, kicking four field goals to lead the Chargers past the Denver Broncos.

But that hamstring injury is what makes Hopkins a cut candidate in the first place. Hopkins is not getting any younger and he won't get less injury prone as he gets older. Plus, lower body injuries to his kicking leg of all places is less than ideal.

Because he is a respected veteran, Hopkins might not get cut in the offseason and instead might get a chance to win the job during training camp. Regardless of how long it takes, though, the deck is stacked against him when it comes to getting a roster spot.

Dicker is younger and cheaper and that is the biggest advantage he could have. While it is not a lot of money, the Chargers can save $1.6 million against the cap if they were to cut Hopkins. That could be enough of a reason to go with the younger and cheaper option that has actually played quite well this season.

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This is Dicker's job to lose. If he can end the season on a high note and continue making most of his kicks (he has just one miss from over 50 yards) then he is going to be the runaway favorite to take Hopkins' job.