The Chargers made the playoffs in the first year under Jim Harbaugh and will count on an improved roster allowing them to make noise in January.

 

Quarterback (3)

Justin Herbert, Taylor Heinicke, Trey Lance

 

Whether the Chargers keep a third quarterback on the roster will come down to how Trey Lance progresses in his first summer in Los Angeles, but we’d bet Jim Harbaugh will see enough potential for him to make the team behind Justin Herbert and Taylor Heinicke.

 

Running back (4)

Omarion Hampton (R), Najee Harris, Kimani Vidal, Scott Matlock

 

First-round pick Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris—the only player in the NFL to have 1,000+ rushing yards in each of the past four seasons—will obviously lead the LA backfield this year, but the final spot (outside of fullback/defensive lineman Scott Matlock) will be close. Kimani Vidal gets the edge because he brings a little more juice, but Hassan Haskins, Jaret Patterson, and undrafted rookie Raheim “Rocket” Sanders will all have a definite shot to earn the No. 3 role.

 

Wide receiver (6)

Ladd McConkey, Mike Williams, Quentin Johnston, Tre Harris (R), KeAndre Lambert-Smith (R), Derius Davis

 

Wide receiver might be very difficult to crack with Mike Williams returning to the Chargers and the team spending draft picks on Tre Harris (Round 2) and KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Round 5)—but could Derius Davis be on the bubble? We would expect not after he was a Second-Team All-Pro punt returner as a rookie in 2023, but Harbaugh is all about competition, so Jalen Reagor, Brenden Rice, and undrafted rookie Luke Grimm will at least have an opportunity to make it a question.

 

Tight end (3)

Tyler Conklin, Will Dissly, Oronde Gadsden II (R)

 

Los Angeles would feel even more dangerous offensively if they were able to convince Evan Engram to sign, but Tyler Conklin was the backup plan and has been steadily productive in recent years. Also, Will Dissly will still see plenty of action as a big target who will be relied upon as a blocker, and fifth-rounder Oronde Gadsden II is a developmental option behind them.

 

Offensive tackle (3)

Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt, Trey Pipkins III

 

The Chargers are very happy with the Joe Alt selection last year at No. 5 overall to give them one of the best tackle duos in the league—and it certainly helped to have Ladd McConkey there for them in the second round at wide receiver. The swing tackle will be decided in training camp, but Trey Pipkins III is a roster lock and will likely slide back into the role after making starts at right guard in 2024.

 

Interior offensive line (6)

Bradley Bozeman, Zion Johnson, Mekhi Becton, Jamaree Salyer, Andre James, Branson Taylor (R)

 

Other options to be the swing tackle include Jamaree Salyer and sixth-round rookie Branson Taylor—but Salyer might be a better fit inside, and Taylor is listed as a guard at this point. Overall, the Chargers are virtually set on the offensive line in terms of who is projected to make the team, but how things shake out inside is the mystery. It sounds like Bradley Bozeman and Zion Johnson will flip at left guard and center, but don’t sleep on Salyer starting at left guard, and long-time Raiders starter Andre James could win the job at center.

 

Interior defensive line (6)

Otito Ogbonnia, Teair Tart, Jamaree Caldwell (R), Da’Shawn Hand, Naquan Jones, Justin Eboigbe

 

The Chargers need to find a way to be better against the run this year after allowing 4.7 yards per carry last season, so they signed Da’Shawn Hand and Naquan Jones—then drafted Jamaree Caldwell in the third round. Of course, veteran Poona Ford is gone, but Caldwell gives more heft at 340 pounds, and the combination of the rookie and Teair Tart next to Otito Ogbonnia won’t be easy to run on. We’ll see if fourth-rounder Justin Eboigbe shows more in Year 2 or finds himself on the outside looking in by the end of August.

 

Edge defender (4)

Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipolotu, Bud Dupree, Kyle Kennard (R)

 

It will be strange to not have Joey Bosa in Los Angeles, but Khalil Mack is back, Tuli Tuipolotu is coming off 8.5 sacks in his second season, Bud Dupree was extended, and rookie Kyle Kennard was tremendous value in Round 4. Having four very good options will probably allow LA to use the roster space at other positions, but Caleb Murphy and Tre’Mon Morris-Brash are among those trying to make the team as depth on the edge.

 

Linebacker (5)

Daiyan Henley, Junior Colson, Denzel Perryman, Troy Dye, Del’Shawn Phillips

 

Junior Colson stepping into the starting lineup is the expectation in his second season, and linebacker is another position with four quality options after last year’s starter Denzel Perryman was re-signed in March. Still, a fifth linebacker could make it largely due to value on special teams, and Del’Shawn Phillips gets the advantage over Kana’i Mauga after he played a key role there for Houston and Baltimore.

 

Cornerback (5)

Cam Hart, Tarheeb Still, Donte Jackson, Ja’Sir Taylor, Benjamin St-Juste

 

The draft class for the Chargers last year was arguably the NFL’s best (at least based on one season) due to the hits at cornerback on Day 3—and Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still are now cheap, high-quality starters for at least the next three years. Versatile safety Elijah Molden is the starter in the slot and could have been listed at cornerback, and if injury issues strike the secondary again, Los Angeles will be better prepared with Donte Jackson and Benjamin St-Juste signed to support Ja’Sir Taylor as backups.

 

Safety (5)

Alohi Gilman, Derwin James Jr., Elijah Molden, RJ Mickens (R), Tony Jefferson

 

Derwin James Jr. returning to his star form under a new coaching staff was great to see last year, and safety is yet another spot where the depth is very impressive. This year, Tony Jefferson (who had a career resurgence after coming out of retirement) will have more competition for snaps with rookie RJ Mickens, but Elijah Molden being in the slot allows LA to keep five safties.

 

Special teams (3)

Cameron Dicker, JK Scott, Josh Harris

 

All three phases are important to Jim Harbaugh, and the team is happy to have Cameron Dicker (who has made 93.8% of his field goals over the past three years) at kicker, JK Scott at punter, and Josh Harris as the long snapper like they did in 2024.