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Chargers training camp officially gets underway July 26 in Costa Mesa, Calif., and the 53-man roster will firmly take shape in the summer heat at Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex.
We started to get a sense of what this active roster might look like through spring practices, which concluded earlier this month at mandatory minicamp. But as coach Brandon Staley said, the spring is “more teaching and learning than evaluating.” The real evaluation has to wait until the pads come on in training camp, and there will be plenty to assess as some feisty back-of-the-roster battles unfold.
For now, with training camp less than a month away, this is my best shot at projecting the final 53-man roster with the intel we could glean during the spring.
Quarterbacks (3)
Justin Herbert
Easton Stick
Max Duggan
Who’s out: No one
Analysis: If this was last season, I would be projecting only two quarterbacks on the 53-man: Herbert and Stick. Stick has the backup job locked down. I do not see Duggan challenging him for the spot. And there are players at other positions who I think bring more value to the roster than Duggan. However, NFL owners approved a new bylaw for 2023 that allows teams to designate an emergency third quarterback on game days as long as that QB is on the 53-man active roster. The emergency quarterback is eligible to play only if the two other QBs cannot participate because of injury or disqualification. That new rule changes the approach a bit.
As a quick refresher, teams are allowed to keep 53 players on their active roster. For game days, they are allowed to elevate up to two additional players from their practice squad, bringing the active roster to 55. Of those 55 players, 48 can be active for the game, as long as eight of those 48 players are offensive linemen. The other seven players are inactive and do not dress. It can be fewer than seven inactives if a team elevates fewer than two players from the practice squad.
Keeping Duggan would allow the Chargers to take advantage of that emergency QB rule. The alternative is keeping a different player over Duggan on the 53-man. But that player would merely be a game day inactive. Duggan would effectively serve as a 49th active player if needed, and I have a hard time seeing the Chargers eschewing that potential advantage.
Justin Herbert's health and aggression: Thoughts on every Chargers position group
Running backs (3)
Austin Ekeler
Joshua Kelley
Isaiah Spiller
Who’s out: Larry Rountree, Elijah Dotson, Tyler Hoosman
Analysis: The Chargers kept four running backs on last year’s 53-man roster, as Rountree made the cut. But that was short-lived. Rountree was waived on Aug. 31, a day after final cuts, to make room for Sony Michel. Rountree then spent the season jumping between the Chargers’ practice squad and the active roster. He cleared waivers multiple times during the season. We will see how Rountree looks in camp, but for now, I think the Chargers will be best off rolling with three backs and stashing Rountree on the practice squad.
Fullback (1)
Zander Horvath
Who’s out: No one
Analysis: As a rookie in 2022, Horvath emerged as a core-four special teams player for coordinator Ryan Ficken. The Chargers have been looking for a Derek Watt replacement ever since they let Watt walk in free agency in 2020. The archetype: a versatile, athletic fullback who can make his biggest impact on special teams. They drafted Horvath to develop into that player. He took an important first step last season. Horvath has the ability to move around and play multiple positions on both kickoff and punt coverage at a high level, and that is very valuable. He makes the roster for that reason primarily.
Wide receivers (6)
Keenan Allen
Mike Williams
Joshua Palmer
Quentin Johnston
Derius Davis
Jalen Guyton
Who’s out: Keelan Doss, John Hightower, Pokey Wilson, Darrius Shepherd, Terrell Bynum
Analysis: The last spot in this group will be a fascinating battle to watch. Allen, Williams, Palmer, Johnston and Davis are locks, as far as I see it. Davis will be the kick and punt returner for the Chargers in 2023, barring an injury. I have Guyton making the roster as the sixth receiver because of his deep-field speed and size combo. But keep an eye on Doss, who was regularly working with the first team in the spring while Williams was absent and Palmer was nursing his injury. Doss has solid size and strong hands and made a bunch of plays in OTAs and minicamp. Guyton is coming off a torn ACL. He missed spring practices. His health could be a factor.
Tight ends (4)
Gerald Everett
Donald Parham Jr.
Tre’ McKitty
Stone Smartt
Who’s out: Hunter Kampmoyer, Michael Ezeike
Analysis: Smartt was getting more run with the first team during the spring, so I have him as the fourth tight end over Kampmoyer for now. But this battle is going to come down to blocking. The Chargers need some more juice in the run game, and we will not be able to evaluate that facet until the pads come on.
Offensive line (9)
Rashawn Slater
Zion Johnson
Corey Linsley
Jamaree Salyer
Trey Pipkins
Will Clapp
Jordan McFadden
Zack Bailey
Foster Sarell
Who’s out: Brenden Jaimes, Isaac Weaver, Austen Pleasants, Andrew Trainer, Nic Melsop, Johari Branch
Analysis: The Chargers are really high on Bailey and think he can be a more reliable backup guard than Jaimes, who has struggled in his young NFL career. Jaimes has a big camp in front of him. He must show improvement if he wants to make the active roster. Clapp is the backup center. McFadden was drafted in the fifth round. Those are locks. I have Sarell as my final offensive lineman to add more tackle depth. He showed flashes when he was asked to play right tackle last year.
It’s unclear when defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia will be 100 percent healthy after suffering a knee injury last season. (Kyle Terada / USA Today)
Defensive line (6)
Sebastian Joseph-Day
Austin Johnson
Morgan Fox
Otito Ogbonnia
Scott Matlock
Christopher Hinton
Who’s out: Nick Williams, David Moa, Jerrod Clark, Terrance Lang, CJ Okoye
Analysis: Johnson and Ogbonnia are still rehabbing knee injuries from last season. Neither participated in spring practices. So a big part of projecting this group comes down to projecting how fast those two return. We will see if either or both start training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and adjust according. Williams was a late-offseason signing and provides veteran insurance in case Johnson and/or Ogbonnia are forced to miss regular-season action. For the time being, we will project optimistic outcomes for Johnson and Ogbonnia.
Edge rushers (4)
Joey Bosa
Khalil Mack
Tuli Tuipulotu
Chris Rumph II
Who’s out: Carlo Kemp, Ty Shelby, Brevin Allen, Andrew Farmer
Analysis: No surprises here. These top four seem set. Tuipulotu finally signed his rookie deal this week, so he should be all systems go for the start of camp.
Chargers minicamp: Derwin James' circus interception, Austin Ekeler has 'no hard feelings'
Linebackers (5)
Eric Kendricks
Kenneth Murray
Daiyan Henley
Nick Niemann
Amen Ogbongbemiga
Who’s out: Tyreek Maddox-Williams, Mikel Jones, Nathan East
Analysis: Ogbongbemiga played more special teams snaps than any other Charger last season at 356. Niemann ranked fourth. The players in second and third on that list — Derrek Tuszka and Troy Reeder — are no longer on the roster. Niemann and Ogbongbemiga are going to be key pieces on special teams this season. The Chargers also believe Henley will make a big impact on special teams.
Safety (4)
Derwin James Jr.
Alohi Gilman
JT Woods
Raheem Layne
Who’s out: Mark Webb, A.J. Finley, Tyler Baker-Williams, Michael Jacquet
Analysis: There will be a few big battles at safety during camp. Woods is going to get a chance to prove himself, and it will be up to Gilman to fend him off and keep his starting job. James, Woods and Gilman are all locks to make the roster. The battle with higher stakes is for that fourth safety spot. Layne was a camp standout last year and carved out a nice role on special teams for Ficken in 2022. He also has the flexibility to play Money in dime packages. Webb has flashed at times in his career, but he has just not been able to stay healthy. If Webb can stay on the field, I could absolutely see him pushing Layne for a roster spot.
Cornerback (5)
J.C. Jackson
Michael Davis
Asante Samuel Jr.
Ja’Sir Taylor
Deane Leonard
Who’s out: Kemon Hall, Cam Brown, Tiawan Mullen, AJ Uzodinma
Analysis: Without the emergency quarterback rule, I would be keeping Hall on the 53-man. He can play multiple positions in the secondary, including sub roles at Star and Money. He also is a versatile and experienced special teams player. But he ended up being my odd man out to make room for Duggan.
Specialists (3)
P JK Scott
LS Josh Harris
K Dustin Hopkins
Who’s out: K Cameron Dicker
Analysis: I am giving Hopkins a slight edge in the kicker battle heading into camp, based predominantly on his experience and stronger leg. But this competition is still very much up in the air.
Chargers training camp officially gets underway July 26 in Costa Mesa, Calif., and the 53-man roster will firmly take shape in the summer heat at Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex.
We started to get a sense of what this active roster might look like through spring practices, which concluded earlier this month at mandatory minicamp. But as coach Brandon Staley said, the spring is “more teaching and learning than evaluating.” The real evaluation has to wait until the pads come on in training camp, and there will be plenty to assess as some feisty back-of-the-roster battles unfold.
For now, with training camp less than a month away, this is my best shot at projecting the final 53-man roster with the intel we could glean during the spring.
Quarterbacks (3)
Justin Herbert
Easton Stick
Max Duggan
Who’s out: No one
Analysis: If this was last season, I would be projecting only two quarterbacks on the 53-man: Herbert and Stick. Stick has the backup job locked down. I do not see Duggan challenging him for the spot. And there are players at other positions who I think bring more value to the roster than Duggan. However, NFL owners approved a new bylaw for 2023 that allows teams to designate an emergency third quarterback on game days as long as that QB is on the 53-man active roster. The emergency quarterback is eligible to play only if the two other QBs cannot participate because of injury or disqualification. That new rule changes the approach a bit.
As a quick refresher, teams are allowed to keep 53 players on their active roster. For game days, they are allowed to elevate up to two additional players from their practice squad, bringing the active roster to 55. Of those 55 players, 48 can be active for the game, as long as eight of those 48 players are offensive linemen. The other seven players are inactive and do not dress. It can be fewer than seven inactives if a team elevates fewer than two players from the practice squad.
Keeping Duggan would allow the Chargers to take advantage of that emergency QB rule. The alternative is keeping a different player over Duggan on the 53-man. But that player would merely be a game day inactive. Duggan would effectively serve as a 49th active player if needed, and I have a hard time seeing the Chargers eschewing that potential advantage.
Justin Herbert's health and aggression: Thoughts on every Chargers position group
Running backs (3)
Austin Ekeler
Joshua Kelley
Isaiah Spiller
Who’s out: Larry Rountree, Elijah Dotson, Tyler Hoosman
Analysis: The Chargers kept four running backs on last year’s 53-man roster, as Rountree made the cut. But that was short-lived. Rountree was waived on Aug. 31, a day after final cuts, to make room for Sony Michel. Rountree then spent the season jumping between the Chargers’ practice squad and the active roster. He cleared waivers multiple times during the season. We will see how Rountree looks in camp, but for now, I think the Chargers will be best off rolling with three backs and stashing Rountree on the practice squad.
Fullback (1)
Zander Horvath
Who’s out: No one
Analysis: As a rookie in 2022, Horvath emerged as a core-four special teams player for coordinator Ryan Ficken. The Chargers have been looking for a Derek Watt replacement ever since they let Watt walk in free agency in 2020. The archetype: a versatile, athletic fullback who can make his biggest impact on special teams. They drafted Horvath to develop into that player. He took an important first step last season. Horvath has the ability to move around and play multiple positions on both kickoff and punt coverage at a high level, and that is very valuable. He makes the roster for that reason primarily.
Wide receivers (6)
Keenan Allen
Mike Williams
Joshua Palmer
Quentin Johnston
Derius Davis
Jalen Guyton
Who’s out: Keelan Doss, John Hightower, Pokey Wilson, Darrius Shepherd, Terrell Bynum
Analysis: The last spot in this group will be a fascinating battle to watch. Allen, Williams, Palmer, Johnston and Davis are locks, as far as I see it. Davis will be the kick and punt returner for the Chargers in 2023, barring an injury. I have Guyton making the roster as the sixth receiver because of his deep-field speed and size combo. But keep an eye on Doss, who was regularly working with the first team in the spring while Williams was absent and Palmer was nursing his injury. Doss has solid size and strong hands and made a bunch of plays in OTAs and minicamp. Guyton is coming off a torn ACL. He missed spring practices. His health could be a factor.
Tight ends (4)
Gerald Everett
Donald Parham Jr.
Tre’ McKitty
Stone Smartt
Who’s out: Hunter Kampmoyer, Michael Ezeike
Analysis: Smartt was getting more run with the first team during the spring, so I have him as the fourth tight end over Kampmoyer for now. But this battle is going to come down to blocking. The Chargers need some more juice in the run game, and we will not be able to evaluate that facet until the pads come on.
Offensive line (9)
Rashawn Slater
Zion Johnson
Corey Linsley
Jamaree Salyer
Trey Pipkins
Will Clapp
Jordan McFadden
Zack Bailey
Foster Sarell
Who’s out: Brenden Jaimes, Isaac Weaver, Austen Pleasants, Andrew Trainer, Nic Melsop, Johari Branch
Analysis: The Chargers are really high on Bailey and think he can be a more reliable backup guard than Jaimes, who has struggled in his young NFL career. Jaimes has a big camp in front of him. He must show improvement if he wants to make the active roster. Clapp is the backup center. McFadden was drafted in the fifth round. Those are locks. I have Sarell as my final offensive lineman to add more tackle depth. He showed flashes when he was asked to play right tackle last year.
It’s unclear when defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia will be 100 percent healthy after suffering a knee injury last season. (Kyle Terada / USA Today)
Defensive line (6)
Sebastian Joseph-Day
Austin Johnson
Morgan Fox
Otito Ogbonnia
Scott Matlock
Christopher Hinton
Who’s out: Nick Williams, David Moa, Jerrod Clark, Terrance Lang, CJ Okoye
Analysis: Johnson and Ogbonnia are still rehabbing knee injuries from last season. Neither participated in spring practices. So a big part of projecting this group comes down to projecting how fast those two return. We will see if either or both start training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and adjust according. Williams was a late-offseason signing and provides veteran insurance in case Johnson and/or Ogbonnia are forced to miss regular-season action. For the time being, we will project optimistic outcomes for Johnson and Ogbonnia.
Edge rushers (4)
Joey Bosa
Khalil Mack
Tuli Tuipulotu
Chris Rumph II
Who’s out: Carlo Kemp, Ty Shelby, Brevin Allen, Andrew Farmer
Analysis: No surprises here. These top four seem set. Tuipulotu finally signed his rookie deal this week, so he should be all systems go for the start of camp.
Chargers minicamp: Derwin James' circus interception, Austin Ekeler has 'no hard feelings'
Linebackers (5)
Eric Kendricks
Kenneth Murray
Daiyan Henley
Nick Niemann
Amen Ogbongbemiga
Who’s out: Tyreek Maddox-Williams, Mikel Jones, Nathan East
Analysis: Ogbongbemiga played more special teams snaps than any other Charger last season at 356. Niemann ranked fourth. The players in second and third on that list — Derrek Tuszka and Troy Reeder — are no longer on the roster. Niemann and Ogbongbemiga are going to be key pieces on special teams this season. The Chargers also believe Henley will make a big impact on special teams.
Safety (4)
Derwin James Jr.
Alohi Gilman
JT Woods
Raheem Layne
Who’s out: Mark Webb, A.J. Finley, Tyler Baker-Williams, Michael Jacquet
Analysis: There will be a few big battles at safety during camp. Woods is going to get a chance to prove himself, and it will be up to Gilman to fend him off and keep his starting job. James, Woods and Gilman are all locks to make the roster. The battle with higher stakes is for that fourth safety spot. Layne was a camp standout last year and carved out a nice role on special teams for Ficken in 2022. He also has the flexibility to play Money in dime packages. Webb has flashed at times in his career, but he has just not been able to stay healthy. If Webb can stay on the field, I could absolutely see him pushing Layne for a roster spot.
Cornerback (5)
J.C. Jackson
Michael Davis
Asante Samuel Jr.
Ja’Sir Taylor
Deane Leonard
Who’s out: Kemon Hall, Cam Brown, Tiawan Mullen, AJ Uzodinma
Analysis: Without the emergency quarterback rule, I would be keeping Hall on the 53-man. He can play multiple positions in the secondary, including sub roles at Star and Money. He also is a versatile and experienced special teams player. But he ended up being my odd man out to make room for Duggan.
Specialists (3)
P JK Scott
LS Josh Harris
K Dustin Hopkins
Who’s out: K Cameron Dicker
Analysis: I am giving Hopkins a slight edge in the kicker battle heading into camp, based predominantly on his experience and stronger leg. But this competition is still very much up in the air.
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