Updated Chargers 53-man roster projection after preseason Week 1

The LA Chargers have officially played the first game of the Jim Harbaugh era and it was not pretty as the team lost 16-3 against the Seattle Seahawks. Thankfully, the game does not count for anything other than the lessons the team will learn for the regular season.

These lessons directly impact how the coaching staff is going to configure the 53-man roster. While we already had a good idea on the frontrunners for the roster, Saturday's preseason game brought more clarity to how the roster is shaking out.

Of course, there is more room for movement before the regular season with two more preseason games on the schedule. But with one in the books, let's dive into what the 53-man roster may look like.

Chargers 53-man roster projection after preseason Week 1:

Quarterback (2): Justin Herbert, Easton Stick

It is safe to say Chargers fans are not comfortable with Easton Stick being the team's primary backup quarterback after the showing he had against the Seahawks. It would not be surprising, in turn, if the Chargers pursue a better backup quarterback in some capacity.

However, said backup quarterback is not on the roster yet as the other quarterbacks on the team are less than inspiring. Any prediction for a QB that is not currently on the roster would be purely conjecture.

Running back (3): Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Kimani Vidal

None of these running backs actually played on Saturday but one notable name did: Isaiah Spiller. Spiller once again failed to produce and unless he rights the ship quickly he will find himself on the team's practice squad.

Wide receiver (6): Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey, D.J. Chark, Quentin Johnston, Derius Davis, Brenden Rice

There is no chance in the players in this group since the last 53-man roster projection we did. To be fair, it was hard to gauge where exactly the wide receivers are with the porous quarterback play. However, it is becoming more and more likely as time goes on that D.J. Chark is a top-three receiver on this team over Quentin Johnston.

Jaelen Gill had a big day in special teams for the Bolts and if he continues doing that he could make the roster. However, with Derius Davis being elite as a returner, right now it is more likely for Gill to be on the practice squad.

Tight end (4): Will Dissly, Hayden Hurst, Donald Parham, Stone Smartt

Donald Parham increased his stock with a decent showing in the preseason game, albeit numbers-wise not being impactful. Greg Roman's offense is tight end-heavy so expect the team to carry four tight ends, especially with only three running backs.

Offensive line (10): Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Trey Pipkins, Joe Alt, Jamaree Salyer, Jordan McFadden, Brenden Jaimes, Foster Sarrell, Karsen Barnhart

The only change here is Alex Leatherwood getting booted off the roster after a terrible performance against the Seahawks. In his place is Michigan's own, Karsen Barnhart. Barnhart was okay if not uninspiring in the game but his obvious ties to Harbaugh give him the nod here. This 10th offensive line spot if anyone's for the taking.

Interior defensive line (5): Morgan Fox, Poona Ford, Otito Ogbonnia, Scott Matlock, Justin Eboigbe

No changes here as nothing substantial happened to this group to warrant any kind of change. However, it is worth noting Otito Ogbonnia looks to be on the precipice of breaking out and Tuli Tuipulotu will likely play snaps inside.

EDGE (5): Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree, Tre'Mon Morris-Brash

The noticeable change here is the addition of Tre'Mon Morris-Brash to an edge-rusher room that is already as deep as it is talented. Heading into training camp, Chris Rumph II would have been the favorite to earn a spot on the 53-man roster but that may no longer be the case.

The coaching staff has raved about Morris-Brash and it was not hard to see why during his first glimpse of game action against Seattle. With Tuipulotu potentially playing inside more than expected, the Chargers can justify carrying an extra edge rusher they don't want to potentially lose if another team claims him off the practice squad.

Linebacker (5): Denzel Perryman, Daiyan Henley, Junior Colson, Troy Dye, Nick Niemann

This is the same group as before. Nick Niemann was the most notable linebacker from Saturday's name as he was partly responsible for Seattle's only touchdown of the game but also turned in solid overall play on top of that. He mostly will be used in special teams, though.

Cornerback (6): Asante Samuel Jr, Kristian Fulton, Ja'Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard, Cam Hart, Tarheeb Still

There are no differences here for the Chargers although fans should be excited about this group with Jesse Minter calling the defense. Granted, defenses typically have the advantage early in the preseason but it was hard not to love what Minter schemed up on Saturday.

It is very possible that one of the weakest areas of the Chargers' roster could play above expectations under Minter's coaching. After years of watching the team underperform defensively under Brandon Staley, this is a welcomed change.

Safety (4): Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, AJ Finley, Tony Jefferson

AJ Finley has firmly secured the third safety spot on the depth chart and it seems unlikely that he will lose it. Finley looked far better than both Tony Jefferson and JT Woods and that is why he is in the driver's seat for the role in the first place.

Woods really needs to turn in a good preseason to stay on the roster and he did not get off to a good enough start on Saturday. If he doesn't turn heads in the final two preseason games then his Chargers career may end before his third season.

Special teams (3): Cameron Dicker, J.K. Scott, Josh Harris

Long snapper Josh Harris and punter J.K. Scott were very busy on Saturday as the offense could not do anything. The team's only score of the evening was a 58-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker, which was longer than any other field goal he has made in his NFL career.