As we pass the June 1 deadline, the Los Angeles Chargers are gearing up for the start of their second week of OTAs. We already have the May 26-27 and the May 29 dates behind us. The Chargers will continue their OTAs on June 2-4 and June 8-11, adding up to a total of 10 days of organized practice before their mandatory mini-camp in late June.
These sessions couldn't be more pivotal for Los Angeles. Although their starters are mostly set across the board, they've made significant moves this offseason to replenish their depth. With the roster-cutdown deadline looming on the horizon (roster must be cut down to 53 men by August 30), Jim Harbaugh and company will have some real decisions to make about who sticks with the team for 2026.
The most complex of these battles will likely be along the offensive line. As it stands, Los Angeles has 17 offensive linemen vying for a roster spot. 13 of these have a true chance at making the roster, but it's likely the Chargers are only willing to devote nine or 10 spots to the position group. This leaves both sixth-round draft picks, Alex Harkey and Logan Taylor, along with players like Josh Kaltenberger and Ben Cleveland in serious peril.
But out of those competing for a roster spot, guard Kayode Awosika may have been the biggest winner from Week 1 of OTAs.
Kayode Awosika could be in prime position to carve out a roster spot in Week 2 of OTAs
Awosika was seen as somewhat of a surprising signing when he inked a one-year, $2 million contract with the Chargers this offseason. But it was clearly Los Angeles' goal to provide themselves with as much flexibility along the offensive line as possible, and Awosika was part of that mission.
Last season with the Detroit Lions, Awosika started four games at guard, allowing ten pressures and three sacks on 168 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. In all likelihood, his role on the Chargers will be as a depth guard, assuming he sticks on the roster.
But in the first week of OTAs, Trevor Penning was not present in the full offensive line drills, leaving Awosika to take on first-team reps. While Friday's practices were not open to the media, there's been no indication of Penning gearing up for live reps heading into Week 2.
It's likely that Slaughter and Penning both have priority in the competition for the starting left guard spot. Slaughter was drafted with the clear intention of making him a guard, and the Chargers also clearly see potential in Penning as a former first-round pick.
But Awosika is not without starting experience. If he's able to impress with his mobility and physicality through these first few offseason workouts, he'll certainly have the edge over players like Harkey and Taylor in the competition for a roster spot.
At this point in the offseason, the Chargers have been pretty tight-lipped regarding any roster competitions, which is to be expected. But we do know that Awosika received valuable reps in Week 1. If he's able to carry that momentum through the rest of OTAs, he could enter training camp with a strong advantage.
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