3 recent draft picks that won't be on the Chargers roster come Week 1

Larry Rountree

Larry Rountree has already gotten his heart broken by the LA Chargers once in his career and it is likely going to happen again during roster cuts in 2023. Unless the 2021 sixth-round pick shows up and looks completely different, he is will definitely not be part of the 53-man roster in Week 1.

Rountree was picked one year after the Chargers seemingly missed on Joshua Kelley (who has at least turned into a serviceable rotational back). In classic Chargers fashion, Rountree was built up as a much better option for the Bolts but he proved to be even worse.

Rountree found himself on the outside looking in last season when the team signed Sony Michel to bolster the room. Even with Michel not working out, it forced Rountree to the practice squad. When it was all said and done, Rountree only played in four games in his sophomore season.

It goes much deeper than just missing the active roster, though. If Rountree shows up and is the same player who does not offer much on offense or special teams then the Chargers may let him go altogether.

If the team doesn't believe in him then what is the point of using a practice squad slot on him? There are several talented undrafted running backs that the team signed after the 2023 NFL Draft. Might as well give the practice squad slot to one of them rather than running it back yet again with Rountree.