All-Aboard: Chargers Set to Make the 53-Man Roster

Credit: Cassandra Serrano/ Los Angeles Chargers

The preseason is over and roster decisions must be made. The NFL cut deadline is 1 p.m. Pacific Tuesday, Aug. 26. As all 32 teams must submit their 53-man rosters to the league the players who do not make the lists are subject to waivers or free agency.

Taylor Heinicke/Trey Lance

Players on the bubble… Let's start with quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who was outplayed by Trey Lance. The Chargers traded for Heinicke last offseason, needing to upgrade from Easton Stick. This season, the Chargers threw a dart at Trey Lance to compete for the backup quarterback position. The former 3rd overall pick earned the role, but Heinicke offers at least some value to the quarterback room, and maybe more as a trade asset. Even if a team doesn’t come with a trade offer, Heinicke provides a knowledge-base that may come in handy in the film room with both Justin Herbert and Trey Lance.

A Cluttered Running-back Room

Second year back Kimani Vidal also finds himself on the bubble after being outplayed by rookie Raheim "Rocket" Sanders. Vidal struggled in pass protection in his rookie campaign but worked hard in the offseason to improve. Will it be enough? The Chargers are very high on Rocket Sanders, making him a priority target after the NFL draft was over. He missed time in training camp early on, but he flashed once he was on the field.

Hassan Haskins has been a mainstay on special teams, and seems to be second on the depth chart while Najee Harris continues his recovery from a fireworks incident. Joe Hortiz hinted that Najee may be ready by week-1, but he has not practiced all training camp, and he could start on PUP while getting back in football shape. Another interesting player to keep an eye on is Nyheim Miller-Hines, who has overcome his own non-football injury. His three turnovers in the preseason doesn’t help his case, but he offers return ability, and gives a veteran presence to an otherwise young runningback-core.

Defensive Playmakers Making a Push

Undrafted linebacker out of Syracuse, Marlowe Wax, hit 'full send' on his job application for the Chargers. Wax was everywhere in the preseason and would be tough to leave off the roster. A strip sack, a pass broken up, and two runs stuffed in the second quarter of the game Saturday against the 49ers showcased Wax's versatility. With the injury to Junior Colston, and Del’Shawn Phillips just returning to practice, the depth of this room is a bit light. Luckily, Wax is not only a needed addition to this group, he’s a player who has shown enough to be comfortable should he need to play in a pinch.

Two other players who have flashed and could be added to the 53-man roster include 3rd-year edge rusher Caleb Murphy, and rookie cornerback Nikko Reed. Murphy finished the preseason with 2 sacks, 6 total pressures, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. He has outshined the Chargers 4th-round draft pick, Kyle Kennard, and could be the Chargers 3rd best edge rusher right now. Nikko Reed finished the preseason with a PFF coverage grade of 91.1 with 1 interception, 2 pass deflections, and allowing just 3 catches on 10 targets for a measly 16 total yards.

Our 53-Man Projections

Though we are steering a yacht and not the Chargers roster, these are the 53 players that we expect to start the regular season September 5 in Brazil. Send us your thoughts below and Boat Up!

Linebacker Marlowe Wax's undeniable determination against the 49ers made a strong case for his position amidst tough decisions by the coaching staff and general manager Joe Hortiz.

Credit: Cassandra Serrano/ Los Angeles Chargers

1. QB1 - Justin Herbert

2. QB2 - Trey Lance

3. QB3 - Taylor Heinicke (initial 53-man roster/trade candidate)

4. RB1 - Omarian Hampton

5. RB2/3 - Hassan Haskins

6. RB3/4 - Rocket Sanders

7. RB2 - Najee Harris (PUP)/RB4 - Kimani Videl (If Najee heads to PUP)

8. FB1 - Scott Matlock

9. WR1 - Ladd McConkey

10. WR2 - Keenan Allen

11. WR3 - Quentin Johnston

12. WR4 - Tre Harris

13. WR5 -  KeAndre Lambert-Smith

14. WR6 - Derius Davis

15. TE1 - Will Dissly

16. TE2 - Tyler Conklin

17. TE3 - Orande Gadsden

18. LT - Joe Alt

19. LG - Zion Johnson

20. C- Bradley Bozeman

21. RG - Mekhi Becton

22. RT - Trey Pipkins

23. OL6 - G/T Jamaree Salyer

24. OL7 - C/G Andre James

25. OL8- T David Sharpe

26. Edge1 - Khalil Mack

27. Edge2 - Tuli Tuipulotu

28. Edge3 - Bud Dupree

29. Edge4 - Kyle Kennard

30. Edge5 - Caleb Murphy

31. DT1 - Teair Tart

32. DT2 - Otito Ogbonnia

33. DT3 - Da’Shawn Hand

34. DT4 - Justin Egboigbe

35. DT5 - Jamaree Caldwell

36. DT6 - Naquan Jones

37. LB1 - Daiyan Henley

38. LB2 - Denzel Perryman

39. LB3 - Troy Dye

40. LB4 - Del’shawn Phillips

41. LB5 - Marlowe Wax

    LB3 - Junior Colston (heads to PUP)

41. CB1 - Tarheeb Still

42. CB2 - Donte Jackson

43. CB3 - Benjamin St-Juste

44. CB4 - Cam Hart

45. CB5 - Ja’Sir Taylor

    
    

46. S1 - Derwin James

47. S2 - Alohi Gilman

48. S3 Elijah Molden

49. S4 - RJ Mickens

    S5 - Tony Jefferson (Is a veteran not subject to waivers. Keeps roster spot open. Still part of team)

51. K - Cam Dicker

52. P - JK Scott

53. LS - Josh Harris

    
    

Practice Squad (16 players)

1. S Tony Jefferson (Priority)

2. OL - G Branson Taylor

3. RB - Kimani Videl

4. WR - Brendon Rice

5. WR - Luke Grimm

6. WR - Dalevon Campbell

7. OT Nash Jones

8. CB Trequize Bridges

9. CB Nikki Reed

10. S Kendall Williamson

11. CB Deane Leonard (PUP)