Initial Chargers 53-man roster prediction at the start of training camp

Chargers training camp is officially underway and before the start of the 2023 season the team is going to have to trim the roster from 90 players all the way down to 53.

Making these roster cuts can be extremely difficult, especially with all of the cuts coming at once this year. It is the hardest part about being a coach and Brandon Staley has some tough decisions.

A lot can change during camp and preseason games that will change the outlook of the roster. Before any of that happens, though, here is out best guess of who makes the roster in 2023.

Chargers 53-man roster projection at the start of training camp:

Quarterback (3): Justin Herbert, Max Duggan, Easton Stick

The Chargers didn't draft Max Duggan in the seventh round to only carry two quarterbacks on the active roster. A third quarterback no longer counts towards a team's active player count on game days so it now makes a lot more sense to carry a third QB.

Running back (3): Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller

This is the likely running back room for the 2023 season and hopefully the Chargers keep one of the promising undrafted running backs as a fourth option on the practice squad over Larry Rountree.

Fullback (1): Zander Horvath

Zander Horvath has the fullback position locked down with no real competition to worry about. After scoring a touchdown in his first two career games, Horvath did not score again in 2022.

Wide receiver (6): Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston, Jalen Guyton, Derius Davis

If Guyton is not healthy then there will be a different receiver in place of him but for the first time under Brandon Staley the Chargers are actually in a situation to carry six good receivers on the active roster. Quentin Johnston as the team's WR4 in his rookie year is going to be a massive luxury.

Tight end (3): Gerald Everett, Donald Parham, Tre' McKitty

If there was a viable fourth tight end for the Chargers to keep on the roster then there is a chance that they go in that direction. Michael Ezeike is a promising undrafted rookie that might have a chance. As it stands right now, though, it looks like the Bolts will go with three tight ends.

Offensive line (9): Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Corey Linsley, Jamaree Salyer, Trey Pipkins, Foster Sarell, Jordan McFadden, Will Clapp, Brenden Jaimes

There is some speculation that Brenden Jaimes might not make the 53-man roster for the Chargers this season. As it stands right now, unless someone really steps up in the preseason or in camp, Jaimes still has a decent chance of making the roster it seems.

Interior defensive line (6): Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Morgan Fox, Otito Ogbonnia, Scott Matlock, Jerrod Clark

The real battle at this position is for the final spot between veteran Nick Williams and undrafted rookie Jerrod Clark. Clark is the most promising of the undrafted rookies and it would be nice to see the team value his youth over Williams' experience. Most likely, though, someone will naturally be hurt and both guys could make the roster.

EDGE (4): Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Chris Rumph

The big loser at EDGE is Chris Rumph, who has not developed like the Chargers wanted him to and now finds himself as the fourth edge on the depth chart. If he wasn't a recent draft pick he would be on the chopping block in camp.

Linebacker (6): Eric Kendricks, Kenneth Murray, Daiyan Henley, Nick Niemann, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Blake Lynch

Kenneth Murray still has a chance to start but he is going to have a very short leash in 2023. If Daiyan Henley plays up to his potential then it won't take long for him to replace Murray on the starting defense. The Chargers also just signed special teams specialist Blake Lynch, who has a chance to make the roster for that very reason.

Cornerback (5): Michael Davis, J.C. Jackson, Ja'Sir Taylor, Asante Samuel Jr, Deane Leonard

The biggest storyline at the cornerback position is that Asante Samuel Jr. might slide down to the CB4 with J.C. Jackson being healthy in 2023. Regardless, this is a really promising group of cornerbacks and the Chargers only need to carry five as they can carry five safeties to go with it.

Safeties (5): Derwin James, Alohi GIlman, JT Woods, Raheem Layne, Mark Webb Jr.

You could go two different ways and either include Mark Webb Jr. on the roster or include Kemon Hall (or an undrafted rookie corner). Either way, the Chargers have versatility with this group and at safety in particular the second starting spot is up for grabs.

Special teams: Josh Harris (LS), JK Scott (P), Dustin Hopkins (K)

Cameron Dicker is the popular name at the kicker position right now but Hopkins is more experienced and should be considered the favorite to win the job in camp. The Chargers can save more money by going with Dicker but it is a safer bet to go with Hopkins and try to keep Dicker on the practice squad. If Hopkins is let go another team will definitely sign him.