I
t is almost time for regular season football. In just a few days, the NFL will wrap up its preseason slate and teams will shift gears on preparing for week one. But before the regular season can begin, franchises will need to make cuts and trim their rosters down to 53 players. For the Los Angeles Chargers, a talented team will lead to some tough decisions.
SB Nation’s Bolts from the Blue released its latest 53-man roster prediction for the Chargers ahead of their preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers, going through each position group. While most of the prediction is in line with what many believe, there are some surprises.
SB Nation’s 53-man Roster Prediction
Here is what SB Nation predicts each position group will look like for the Chargers:
Quarterback (2): Justin Herbert, Trey Lance
Running Back (5): Omarion Hampton, Najee Harris, Hassan Haskins, Kimani Vidal, Scott Matlock (FB)
Wide Receiver (6): Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston, Tre’ Harris, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Derius Davis
Tight End (3): Will Dissly, Tyler Conklin, Oronde Gadsden II
Offensive Line (9): Joe Alt, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Mekhi Becton, Trey Pipkins, Jamaree Salyer, Andre James, Branson Taylor, David Sharpe
Interior Defensive Line (5): Teair Tart, Da’Shawn Hand, Otito Ogbonnia, Naquan Jones, Justin Eboigbe
Edge Rusher (5): Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree, Caleb Murphy, Kyle Kennard
Linebacker (5): Denzel Perryman, Daiyan Henley, Junior Colson, Troy Dye (Del’Shawn Phillips is injured)
Cornerback (6): Tarheeb Still, Donte Jackson, Cam Hart, Benjamin St-Juste, Nikko Reed, Ja’Sir Taylor
Safety (4): Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, Elijah Molden, RJ Mickens
Special Teams (3): Cameron Dicker, Josh Harris, JK Scott
Running back Najee Harris could miss some time to start the season as he recovers from an eye injury that he suffered in a Fourth of July accident. He is still on the NFI list and if he does not come off before the preseason ends, he misses the first four games of the season.
Biggest Surprises
Right off the bat, the biggest surprise about the prediction is how the Chargers only keep two quarterbacks. Taylor Heinicke has had major success as a backup quarterback in the NFL and even has experience as a starter, going 7-8 as the Washington Commanders starter in 2021. Even if Lance does win the backup quarterback job, he has limited game experience so keeping a guy like Heinicke around could be beneficial.
Defensively, there are no surprises. One of the best defenses in football last season, the Chargers are looking to keep things as intact as possible. Led by future Hall of Famer Khalil Mack and four time Pro Bowl and All-Pro safety, Derwin James, the Chargers defense is one to watch for once again this season. The Chargers begin their regular season in Brazil against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, Sept. 5.
Chargers Latest 53-man Roster Prediction