Prior to Sunday's kickoff against the Raiders at SoFi, the Chargers dropped their unofficial Week 1 depth chart. There were a couple surprises on the depth chart that were worthy of discussion, including the placement of defensive tackle Scott Matlock as the fullback starter.
Matlock will seemingly pull double duty for Los Angeles out of the gate. He is also listed as a backup at defensive tackle behind Poona Ford, Otito Ogbonnia, and Morgan Fox. A jersey number change is also on the way for Matlock as he switches from #99 to 44. At Chargers' picture day, he was also photographed with the rest of the TE/FB room specifically.
The Chargers toyed with the concept throughout training camp and the preseason, along with potential considerations for Jordan McFadden in the fullback role (which could still be in play). Matlock played five snaps at fullback during the Chargers' preseason finale in addition to his 27 defensive snaps.
Scott Matlock played some offense before joining the Chargers
The positional value for Matlock elsewhere isn't a concept that comes completely out of the blue. He lined up at tight end in select times during his Boise State career:
BIG MAN TOUCHDOWN.
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 25, 2022
6'4", 300 pound DT Scott Matlock brings in the score for Boise State. pic.twitter.com/o21F3EHMPU
Considering that the Chargers' new regime will almost certainly look to beef up the defensive line room with more of their guys next offseason, a tryout at fullback for the season could be beneficial for Matlock. As both Greg Roman and Jesse Minter have harped on, roster versatility is indeed an asset for this version for the Chargers.
The Matlock news is certainly the headline, but there were other interesting nuggets from the unofficial depth chart release. Newly acquired defensive back Elijah Molden was listed as a safety for the team.
Nearly 200 of Molden's 730 snaps came at slot corner. While he could certainly end up eventually exhibiting the requisite versatility to play both spots, it doesn't seem that Ja'Sir Taylor's starting slot job is in jeopardy anytime soon.
The roster gymnastics will also be interesting for the Chargers in that regard. Veteran safety Tony Jefferson will likely be activated for at least a few games from the practice squad. Would that active gameday spot come at the expense of Molden or rather someone else on the roster?
One final note: rookie WR Ladd McConkey was listed as the primary backup returner to Derius Davis on both kick and punt returns. While the Chargers experimented with a variety of returners during camp and the preseason, it seems like McConkey has earned the right to be the returner if something were to happen to Davis in-game.