Jim Harbaugh's immense praise for Simi Fehoko may shake-up Chargers' 53-man roster

Chargers' WR Simi Fehoko felt like a bit of an afterthought in some of the team roster predictions prior to training camp. But in his two preseason games so far, he's turning heads. He's totaled five receptions for 85 yards combined against the Rams and Seahawks.

Fehoko scored one of the teams' top five highest PFF offensive grades in preseason Week 1 vs. Seattle. Against the Rams, he was statistically the best offensive Chargers on the field. Fehoko was graded a 91.3 on offense by PFF for Saturday's effort.

There's no doubt that it's a competitive race in the receiver room to make the 53-man roster. Even two of the teams' 2024 draft picks like Cornelius Johnson and Brenden Rice aren't necessarily locks for spots. in the midst of Fehoko's breakout games, HC Jim Harbaugh had this to say about the wideout's performance:

"Competitors are welcome. And he showed up again today," Harbaugh said. "He showed up big in the game. I think he's redefining himself and his game. Really more physical. he's doing the things that competitors do to contribute to the team. I feel like he really belongs. Now he's starting to separate himself too, which is great. You see that continuing, you predict that will continue. Good things from Simi."

Harbaugh was then asked if keeping seven wide receivers on the roster was a possibility and gave a more coy answer:

Simi Fehoko has a real chance to make the Chargers roster

Fehoko has also been a significant contributor to the team from a special teams' perspective in their first two preseason contests. He was tied for fourth most ST snaps against the Rams with eight. Against the Seahawks, he has the fifth most ST snaps with seven. From a tape standpoint, Fehoko is also making his reps count when playing in Ryan Ficken's unit.

The current roster dynamics would seem to necessitate a seventh receiver on the 53-man roster if Fehoko was to make it. Would the Chargers ultimately value that over a fourth running back or tight end is the question.

Right now, Josh Palmer, DJ Chark, Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, and Derius Davis seem to be roster locks. The aforementioned Rice has started on the first team in each of the Chargers' first two preseason contests. While he doesn't have the production to necessarily match his role in either game, it's pretty clear the coaching staff values him as a key enough contributor in order to make the roster.

It would require the Chargers skimping at perhaps one other roster position in favor of WR. But the likelihood of Fehoko making the roster has to have gone up after his first two preseason games in addition to the positive comments from Harbaugh.