Popper’s prediction for the final 53 roster.
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After 20 practices and three preseason games, it is now decision time for Chargers general manager Tom Telesco and coach Brandon Staley.
By Tuesday at 1 p.m. PT, Telesco and Staley must cut the Chargers’ roster from 80 players to 53.
This is my projected 53-man roster.
Quarterbacks (3)
Justin Herbert, Chase Daniel, Easton Stick
Who’s out: No one
Until late Saturday night, I had only two quarterbacks on my projected 53-man roster: Herbert and Daniel. This was my stance throughout training camp and the preseason. All through the summer, Staley has hinted at keeping only two quarterbacks. “We’re going to take it all the way to the end,” Staley said last weekend after the Chargers lost to the 49ers at SoFi Stadium. “I think they both competed well during camp. They’re both going to play in the last preseason game against Seattle. These practices this week will be important.”
On Saturday night, though, after the Chargers’ 27-0 loss to the Seahawks, Staley changed his tune. I asked him if there was a scenario in which he would keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man. “Yeah, I think so,” Staley said. “I think that could happen.” Staley has been honest and forthright in all of his news conferences thus far as head coach. I am hesitant to make this last-minute change. But Telesco, too, said on the TV broadcast Saturday that he would prefer to keep all three quarterbacks. I think this approach is largely related to the uncertainty of COVID-19. Keeping only two quarterbacks is risky if there is an outbreak. Ideally, you would stash either Daniel or Stick on the practice squad. But there are teams — like the Falcons, for example — who might jump at the opportunity to bring in an experienced backup like Daniel if the Chargers were to cut him. And there is no guarantee that Stick would clear waivers if the Chargers were to cut him. There is logic to keeping all three quarterbacks. In this scenario, Daniel would be the backup and dress on game days.
Running backs (3)
Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree III
Who’s out: Justin Jackson, Darius Bradwell
With Stick making the roster, I had to clear a spot somewhere. I mulled over a few options, but in the end, I settled on Jackson, who injured his groin in the preseason opener and has not played or practiced since. Jackson is a very talented back. He was rotating in with the first-team offense as a runner and pass catcher. He was also a prominent piece on special teams. But injuries have plagued Jackson over the past two seasons, limiting him to 16 games in 2019 and 2020. Now he is out again. At some point, the Chargers have to turn to more reliable options. They have enough versatility and juice between Ekeler, Kelley and Rountree. And they should be able to stash Bradwell on the practice squad as a depth piece in case of injury. Rountree’s fantastic camp and preseason make Jackson more expendable.
Fullbacks (1)
Gabe Nabers
Who’s out: No one
This is a slam dunk. Nabers has been a featured piece in the offense, lining up at fullback and split from the formation in the slot and out wide. He is athletic and a solid route runner. Nabers has also solidified himself as a core-four special-teams player.
Wide receivers (6)
Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Josh Palmer, Jalen Guyton, K.J. Hill, Tyron Johnson
Who’s out: Joe Reed, Jason Moore, Michael Bandy, John Hurst
Allen, Williams, Palmer and Guyton are locks. Johnson made a ton of plays in camp and has really improved as a threat in the short and intermediate areas of the field. He also brings an explosive dimension that the other roster-bubble receivers — namely Reed and Moore — do not. Hill makes the team as the primary punt and kick returner, though Nasir Adderley and Rountree can also return kickoffs. Reed was a fifth-round pick in 2020, but an ankle injury has prevented him from earning his way onto the 53-man in a very competitive position group.
Tight ends (4)
Jared Cook, Donald Parham, Tre’ McKitty, Stephen Anderson
Who’s out: Matt Sokol, Hunter Kampmoyer
Anderson has been a fixture on the core-four special-teams units, and that is primarily why he makes this roster. He also has flexed into the fullback spot when Nabers has sat out with some knee soreness. Parham looks poised for a breakout season. McKitty will mostly be an inline blocker in this offense. Look for Kampmoyer to take a spot on the practice squad.
Offensive line (9)
Corey Linsley, Bryan Bulaga, Matt Feiler, Oday Aboushi, Rashawn Slater, Brenden Jaimes, Trey Pipkins, Scott Quessenberry, Storm Norton
Who’s out: Nate Gilliam, Darius Harper, Ryan Hunter, Tyree St. Louis
Staley said unprompted Tuesday that the Chargers are looking to keep nine offensive linemen. These are the nine that make the most sense. Linsley, Bulaga, Feiler, Aboushi and Slater are your starting five. Jaimes is the swing guard, with some tackle flex in a pinch. Norton is the swing tackle. Quessenberry is the backup center with guard flex. Pipkins has struggled in preseason action. But, for better or worse, I do not think there is any chance Telesco gives up on a third-round pick after two seasons.
Defensive line (6)
Justin Jones, Linval Joseph, Jerry Tillery, Christian Covington, Cortez Broughton, Breiden Fehoko
Who’s out: Forrest Merrill, Willie Yarbary, Joe Gaziano
Jones, Joseph and Tillery are the starters. Covington and Broughton are depth perimeter defensive linemen. Fehoko provides depth on the interior as a true nose tackle that can line up over the center. Merrill had a fine camp and performed well in the preseason games. I think he ends up on the practice squad. Fehoko has flashed more as a pass rusher and is a better all-around player at this juncture.
Edge defenders (4)
Joey Bosa, Uchenna Nwosu, Chris Rumph II, Kyler Fackrell
Who’s out: Emeke Egbule, Jessie Lemonier, Davin Bellamy
No surprises here. I think Nwosu and Fackrell will split time opposite Bosa. Rumph will be a fourth edge rusher and significant special-teams contributor. Egbule was pushing for a roster spot before he suffered an injury and missed the second preseason game. That time missed was crucial. Egbule would likely end up on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Inside linebackers (5)
Kenneth Murray, Drue Tranquill, Kyzir White, Nick Niemann, Amen Ogbongbemiga
Who’s out: Cole Christiansen, Nate Evans
Ogbongbemiga just barely makes the cut. Full disclosure, I was deciding between him and Jackson as my final cut. But I kept going to back to one comment from Staley. Ogbongbemiga suffered an AC joint sprain in the second preseason game and was pushing the coaching staff to let him return for the finale. “I wanted to make sure that this guy is safe,” Staley said. “He wants to be out there. He came in Monday after the (49ers) game and said, ‘Hey, Coach, I want to play.’ I was like, ‘Man, one preseason game is not going to make a difference in your evaluation. We know how we feel about you, we’ve been able to see you live now for over a month and we’ve seen you in two preseason games.’ We have enough of a sample size to make a decision with him.” Staley added that Ogbongbemiga will be ready for “Game 1” — meaning the season opener at Washington. Five inside linebackers is a lot, but Niemann and Ogbongbemiga will have major roles on special teams.
Defensive backs (9)
Derwin James, Nasir Adderley, Chris Harris, Michael Davis, Asante Samuel Jr., Brandon Facyson, Mark Webb, Alohi Gilman, Tevaughn Campbell
Who’s out: Kemon Hall, John Brannon, Donte Vaughn, KJ Sails, Ben DeLuca
I expect Ryan Smith to remain on the reserve/COVID-19 list until after 1 p.m. Thursday. So that creates an extra roster spot. All the coaches have spoken very highly of Campbell. It is clear he has the upper hand over the other cornerbacks. Campbell, right now, is the starting gunner opposite Palmer on the punt team. Special teams, again, is a deciding factor.
Specialists (3)
K Tristan Vizcaino, P Ty Long, LS Matt Overton
Who’s out: K Michael Badgley, LS Cole Mazza
In the end, I think Telesco and Staley will go with Vizcaino’s stronger leg, even though he has missed more field goals than Badgley in practice and the preseason. Kickoffs play a role in this decision, and Vizcaino is much more consistent in those situations. Mazza is still dealing with his shoulder injury. Overton, a seasoned veteran, is the safer choice.
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