4 Chargers to pay close attention to during training camp

Chargers training camp is just over a week from starting, marking the official start of the team's trek towards winning the Super Bowl this season. This training camp has a lot more buzz than previous years as the Bolts have constructed a loaded roster that is up there with the best in the league.

Chargers fans typically show up in droves to watch the team practice during training camp. While it is great to see Justin Herbert throw bombs, there are players that deserve more attention during camp as their roles with the team could be very important in 2022.

Here are 4 Chargers to pay close attention to during training camp in 2022:

1. Trey Pipkins

Trey Pipkins seems to be the frontrunner for the starting right tackle spot on the Chargers and everything we have heard about Pipkins this offseason has been positive. However, until fans get to see Pipkins suited up in the team's blocking schemes, it is hard to fully believe in his turnaround.

The front office has done a wonderful job of rebuilding this offensive line to give Herbert one of the best O-lines in the entire league. The one spot with a question mark is right tackle, as it is up to Pipkins or Storm Norton, who was awful last season.

If Pipkins can blossom and just be an average right tackle next season then the Chargers might end up having a top-five offensive line in the NFL. That is extremely special considering the team had a bottom-five offensive line in Justin Herbert's rookie season.

While Pipkins struggling is not going to make the entire offense crumble, his success legitimately could be the difference between making the Super Bowl and losing in the NFL Playoffs before the Super Bowl.

2. Isaiah Spiller

The LA Chargers are extremely thin at running back, so much so that signing a veteran running back solely for depth purposes is something that the front office should actually consider. There is no doubting Austin Ekeler as the lead back but the team is looking to limit Ekeler's workload and needs quality depth behind him.

The Bolts are hoping that Isaiah Spiller can be that quality depth. Los Angeles took Spiller in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the sole intention of making him the RB2 next season. There initially were concerns of Spiller's lack of explosiveness after the team whiffed on Larry Rountree and Joshua Kelley but Spiller was the best back available on the board.

There are some fans who have all the faith in the world that Spiller can be an excellent RB2 option for the team next season. I see you in the comments and I really do admire that optimism and I hope that he does end up being that great RB2.

However, we cannot expect a fourth-round rookie that has never taken an NFL snap to simply come in and be great. Does that mean he is destined to fail? Not at all. But we were all so quick to crown fellow fourth-rounder Joshua Kelley after his solid Week 1 showing in 2020. Spiller is not a guarantee to succeed.

Training camp will give us a better idea of what Spiller is bringing to the table this season. If he comes out and balls out during camp and the preseason then those that are optimistic will be rewarded. If he struggles and his lack of burst translates poorly then those who are optimistic might be let down.

3. JT Woods

JT Woods is the other Chargers rookie from the 2022 draft class that fans should be paying close attention to during training camp. Woods and Spiller have the most to lose or gain from camp, while the other players do not have the same variability. We know Zion Johnson is going to be good and is going to start and the later-round picks are mere depth picks for the time being.

One of those rookies could stand out and earn a bigger role in the defense but it is hard to pinpoint one of the several late-round picks that could stand out. If just one can blossom that would be great for the Chargers.

Woods' play during training camp and the preseason is far more important, though, as it directly impacts how the team handles the safety position in 2022. In theory, Woods should be able fit nicely in the two-high safety defense and be a ballhawk on the back line to pick off passes.

This would allow Derwin James to move around the defense more and showcase his versatility. James would still be the starting safety on paper but Woods could rack up ample playing time by offering this lane for the Chargers to take.

There is also the possibility of Woods playing some cornerback as some teams did view him as a cover corner option before the draft. Woods very well could play some slot with Derwin playing deep. Brandon Staley is all about versatility and that is why Woods was picked in the third round.

Again, this is all in theory, though. The third-round pick needs to come into camp and not only prove his abilities on the football field but prove that he can quickly learn and pick up this defensive scheme as well.

4. Josh Palmer

Anyone that frequents my work at Bolt Beat knows that I am all-in on 2022 being the year of Josh Palmer's breakout. Not only would it be great for the Chargers and the receiving corps, but it would be great for my Palmer autographed rookie card collection that I invested in during his rookie season.

All jokes aside, everything is pointing to Palmer having a breakout second season that leads into something special. He started producing more and getting targeted more at the end of 2021 and everything we have heard about him has been special.

He is competing for the WR3 job with Jalen Guyton but at this rate, that is Palmer's job to lose. He still is not going to put up monster numbers with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams ahead of him but this could be the first year in a multi-year growth that leads to Palmer becoming a consistent 1,000-yard receiver.

So if Palmer already has his job locked up, why should fans be watching him closely? It is simple. If Palmer is going to have this breakout season that we are hoping for then he is going to start showing the signs during camp.

Whether it be his route-running or his ability to make tough catches, it really does feel like Chargers training camp is going to be a launching pad for Palmer to increase his value in this league and put his name on the map with other football fans as well.