Chargers 53-man roster prediction after 10 days of training camp

The Chargers have officially been on the practice fields for a little over half of training camp now. There have been players expected that are standing out and some unexpected that are raising eyebrows.

Even though there is still some time remaining and plenty of things can happen between now and the roster deadline, I’ve done my best to anticipate what moves Los Angeles ends up making.

Using the insight we’ve learned from practice, here’s a look at the players that I believe make the 53-man roster.

Quarterbacks (2): Justin Herbert, Chase Daniel

Misses the cut: Easton Stick

Running backs (4): Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree III

Misses the cut: Darius Bradwell

Fullbacks (1): Gabe Nabers

Misses the cut: Hunter Kampmoyer

Wide receivers (6): Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Jalen Guyton, Tyron Johnson, Josh Palmer, Austin Proehl

Misses the cut: Joe Reed, K.J. Hill, Jason Moore, Josh Hurst

Tight ends (4): Jared Cook, Donald Parham, Tre’ McKitty, Stephen Anderson

Offensive linemen (9): Rashawn Slater, Matt Feiler, Corey Linsley, Oday Aboushi, Bryan Bulaga, Trey Pipkins, Brenden Jaimes, Storm Norton, Scott Quessenberry

Misses the cut: Tyree St. Louis, Nate Gilliam, Ryan Hunter, Kyle Spalding

Defensive linemen (6): Linval Joseph, Justin Jones, Jerry Tillery, Christian Covington, Breiden Fehoko, Cortez Broughton

Misses the cut: Joe Gaziano, T.J. Smith

Edge defender (4): Joey Bosa, Uchenna Nwosu, Kyler Fackrell, Chris Rumph II

Misses the cut: Jesse Lemonier

Linebackers (5): Kenneth Murray, Drue Tranquill, Kyzir White, Nick Niemann, Amen Ogbongbemiga

Misses the cut: Cole Christiansen

Defensive backs (9): Michael Davis, Asante Samuel, Jr., Chris Harris, Jr., Donte Vaughn, Brandon Facyson, Derwin James, Nasir Adderley, Alohi Gilman, Mark Webb

Misses the cut: Tevaughn Campbell, John Brannon, Ryan Smith

Specialists (3): Tristan Vizcaino, Ty Long, Ryan Langan

Misses the cut: Michael Badgley, Alex Kessman, Cole Mazza

Notes

No changes to the quarterback position. If Easton Stick or K.J. Costello do not make the 53-man roster, I believe they will be battling it out for a spot on the practice squad.

Austin Ekeler is RB1 and Justin Jackson has received the majority of the load as RB2. Joshua Kelley has the slight leg up over Larry Rountree, but we will be able to gauge this battle more when preseason games begin. Nonetheless, I’m still leaning towards the team keeping four backs.

I still see Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Jalen Guyton, Tyron Johnson and Josh Palmer as locks. My pre-training camp roster projections had Joe Reed, but Austin Proehl has been a special teams standout as a return specialist.

I didn’t see Stephen Anderson making the roster prior to training camp, but he’s been providing the ability to play multiple positions (tight end, fullback, special teams). Plus, the offense incorporates plenty of three- four-tight end sets, which is why they might elect to keep him.

Ryan Smith was signed to be a special teams ace, but he hasn’t seen the field due to a lingering injury. Instead, I’m predicting former UDFA Donte Vaughn to earn a spot because of his high level of play up to this point and the position versatility he offers.

I had Alex Kessman penciled in as the starting kicker, but he hasn’t done anything to separate himself from the pack, nor have Michael Badgley or Tristan Vizcaino. However, Vizcaino has made a handful of promising kicks, he was with the first team kickoff unit early on and he was one of special teams coordinator Derius Swinton’s guys.