General Manager Joe Hortiz and Head Coach Jim Harbaugh have one major phrase they use over and over again, and that is “Competitors Welcome”.
This dialogue has allowed the Chargers to continue building a roster that is deeper and deeper. You have former starters now fighting for roster spots, allowing for young and old guys alike to really show what they have.
With this ideology and two off-seasons to stack talent, this begs the question:
What Is The Most Competitive Position Group On The Chargers?
Wide Receiver – Improvement For The Young Guys
The Chargers’ position group of wide receivers is definitely a group that, to put it nicely, is a developing core. McConkey is an obvious WR1, but outside of that, the top spots for #2-5 are all up in the air. Early predictions and premonitions from the coaching staff are that Quentin Johnston is WR2 or WR3, with Tre Harris and Mike Williams fighting for that last starting spot.
As for WR5, that will be a battle between the speedy Chargers wide receiver/gadget player Derius Davis, who was a former fourth-round pick with All-Pro return ability. His speed and route running on offense have been a work in progress, but improvement was seen last season. However, his smaller stature and injury history have caused concern, even leading him to be a cut candidate.
The player who would take his spot is Chargers’ fifth-round pick, KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Another speed receiver, but with a larger stature, better contested catch abilities, and a receiver that possesses that “dawg” mentality.
Say the Chargers keep six receivers and decide to keep both Lambert-Smith and Davis. That would leave no other spots open, but the practice squad completely empty. The players who should be gunning for the practice squad are below.
Chargers Back End Wide Receiver Position Group:
- Brenden Rice, the world’s most hyped Chargers wide receiver…out of the seventh round
- Jalen Reagor, a former first-round pick who has special-teams ability and has shown flashes with Herbert
- Dez Fitzpatrick, a former fourth-round selection who blocked his tail off for Harbaugh’s rushing attack
- Jaylen Johnson, a former UDFA who showed some flashes in the preseason of 2024
- Luke Grimm, this year’s hyped up UDFA signee, is a potential special-teams ace
- Dalevon Campbell, a tryout signee with an impressive 8.62 RAS
With each player having a unique background, it should be a real fun watch to see how these back-end roster receivers compete for WR5, WR6, and the practice squad.
Cornerbacks – The Deepest Chargers Position Group?
Like the Chargers’ wide receiver room, this group is dominated by young guys competing to really make an impact. The average age of all the Chargers’ Cornerbacks in the group as of June is 24.1. This young room is spearheaded by the veteran Donte Jackson, who is going to start alongside Tarheeb Still, the impressive fifth-round selection of last season.
As for the last starting spot, that will be a likely battle between the other Chargers fifth-round selection from 2024, Cam Hart, who showed major flashes last season, and free agent signee, Benjamin St-Juste, a player who created a lot of happiness for the Commanders fanbase… because he left.
That leaves the back end of the Chargers’ position group open. Cornerback #5 and #6, as well as practice squad spots, are all up for grabs between former draft picks, UDFAs, and everyone in between.
Chargers Back End Cornerback Position Group:
- Deane Leonard, a former seventh-round pick, is still a dark-horse breakout candidate and an excellent special-teams player
- Ja’Sir Taylor, a former starter from the sixth round, who has boasted strong special-teams ability in the past
- Trikweze Bridges, the Chargers’ 2025 seventh-round draft selection with immense size and speed
- Jordan Oladokun, a first-team all-MAC cornerback with NFL bloodlines, could make it interesting as an UDFA
- Myles Purchase, a stocky slot cornerback with a shorter path to the roster due to the lack of slot talent
- Nikko Reed, an aggressive slot cornerback with good tackling ability, gives an intriguing special-teams profile
- Eric Rogers, an athletic, tall, lanky cornerback with that kind of “dawg” mentality
Interior Defensive Line – Free Agents, UDFAs, Day 3 Draft Picks
The most unproven part of the Chargers roster is the interior defensive line room. This obvious unknown aspect gives everyone a fairly equal shot at making the team as well as competing for more and more snaps.
This room is currently spearheaded by Teair Tart, who shone immensely in his first season in Powder Blue. After Tart, it will likely be up to free agent signees Da’Shawn Hand, the intriguing Naquan Jones, and Chargers 2025 third-round pick, Jamaree Caldwell, to have the inside lane to the second and third most snaps among interior defensive linemen.
After those four, there are likely two more spots available on the roster, plus a few more on the practice squad. This battle will be among former day three draft picks, UDFAs, and possibly even the aforementioned free agent signees.
Chargers Back End Interior Defensive Line Position Group:
- Justin Eboigbe, the Chargers’ fourth-round selection from last season, has some buzz coming into 2025 after a disappointing 2024
- Otito Ogbonnia, a fifth-round selection in 2022, has played significant snaps for the Chargers, but has yet to show consistent flashes
- Scott Matlock, as a sixth-round selection in 2023, is now sharing time on offense and defense as an FB/IDL hybrid
- TeRah Edwards, an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection with intriguing size
- Chris Hinton, a longtime stay on the practice squad, has Michigan connections, coupled with flashes in real NFL action
- Josh Fuga, a long-time contributor at Virginia Tech, is well-built at 6’2 315, hoping to make this Chargers team in some capacity
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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