2021 Official Chargers Season Discusssion

[Formula 21]

Post Pre-Season 53 Man Roster Prediction
26 O / 24 D
Link to my post draft prediction here.

QB (3): Herbert, Daniel, Stick
I don't want them to keep 3, but my gut said they would, and then TT confirmed it. Stick had two good games and a bad game. The good news is he didn't turn the ball over. The bad news is he's not an elite runner and he's struggling to find the open receiver. I did see him uncork a deep ball and fast ball albeit both were incomplete. Daniel is the vet, and while he's not my choice for QB2, I think TT will keep him there.

RB (4): Ekeler, Jackson, Rountree III, Nabers
Out: Kelly, Bradwell
I don't see how they can keep Kelley. Rountree has outperformed him in all 3 games. TT likes to keep and develop his draft picks, but I think this is a good thing when the competition is between drafted guys instead of UDFA's.

WR (6): Allen, Williams, Palmer, Guyton, Johnson, Hill
Out: Reed, Moore, Bandy, Hurst
5 or 6? Bandy, Hill, or Moore? Moore had a good first game, but I wanted to see him play another game. Bandy in my view has a slight edge over Hill as a WR and ST from just a preseason numbers point of view. Bandy was waived and then resigned, and Hill has had a good camp. So my gut says that they will stay with Hill for now. I don't think TT wants to cut too many guys from the 2020 draft class.

TE (4): Cook, Parham, Anderson, McKitty
Out: Sokol, Kampmoyer
I still wonder if McKitty is a cut candidate. Sokol performed admirably in preseason, 3/3 for 30 yards. And right now I like that more than McKitty.

OL (9): Slater, Feiler, Linsley, Aboushi, Bulaga, Pipkins, Quessenberry, Jaimes, Norton
Maybe they find a tackle they like more than Pip on the waiver wire.


DL (6): Joseph, Jones, Tillery, Covington, Broughton, Merrill
Out: Fehoko, Gaziano, Yarbary
I'll probably get dragged for this, but hear me out. The competition to be the backup NT is close. I like Merrill over Fehoko because he's strong (48 reps on the bench and can deadlift a minivan), he can push the pocket, command double teams, and get penetration. Not saying Fehoko can't, but Merrill offers a different body type on the D line, a fire hydrant really, with a motor.

EDGE (5): Bosa, Nwosu, Fackrell, Rumph II, Egbule
Out: Lemonier

LB (4): Murray, Tranquill, White, Niemann,
Out: Ogbongbemiga,Christiansen
Carrying 5 ILB's is a lot, so while I think Ogbongbemiga has upside as a special teams ace, I think he'll benefit from some time on the practice squad first. This is also the consequence of keeping 3 QB's, or a 4th TE, or a 6th DL, or a 6th WR, and missing time due to injury.

CB (5): Davis, Samuel Jr, Harris Jr, Campbell, Hall
Out: Facyson, Brannon, Vaughn
Between Campbell and Facyson, I'm going with Campbell for now. I saw his athleticism flash at the end of last season and again in the preseason. Facyson had a bit of a bad game as a backup and on special teams. Kemon Hall has had a good camp and has been praised for his special teams play. With Smith sidelined with injury and Covid, Hall could push Facyson out. I've been real high on Facyson before and maybe he's a lock like they say, but I haven't seen it in a while. And he's had time to put it all together.

Safety (4): James, Adderley, Gilman, Webb
Out: DeLuca

COVID (1): Smith

ST (3): Long, Badgley, Overton
Out: Vizcaino, Mazza
Close kicking competition, but I think Vizcaino lost it at the very end, not just the recent miss, but missing 3 at the end of training camp too. I'd still keep an eye out for Succop/Borregales on the cuts list.

Solid.

[Formula 21]

Did no one see McKitty setting the edge on Rountree’s 10 and 15 yard runs in the 3rd quarter? That’s what he is going to bring this year, his receiving game is going to come along slower as he has 2 pass catching TEs in front of him.

For me if I’m keeping a 6th WR right now I’m taking Bandy. His short area explosiveness and acceleration separate him from the rest and he looked better as a returner. I’d also be ok going with 5 WR, 4 TE and then giving an extra spot to one of the bubble CBs. Ekeler also provides a force in the passing game so I wouldn’t feel undermanned in the passing game with that set up.

Bandy does look like a natural pass catcher. But he’s so small.

[Bolt-O]

Gilbert Manzano's 53-man prediction:

Quarterbacks: Justin Herbert, Chase Daniel, Easton Stick (3)

Running backs: Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree, Gabe Nabers (fullback) (5)

Wide receivers: Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Josh Palmer, Jalen Guyton, Tyron Johnson, K.J. Hill (6)

Tight ends: Jared Cook, Donald Parham Jr., Tre McKitty (3)

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

Interior defensive line: Linval Joseph, Justin Jones, Jerry Tillery, Christian Covington, Cortez Broughton (5)

Edge rushers: Joey Bosa, Kyler Fackrell, Uchenna Nwosu, Chris Rumph II, Emeke Egbule (5)

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

Cornerbacks: Michael Davis, Chris Harris Jr., Asante Samuel Jr., Brandon Facyson, Ryan Smith (5)

Safeties: Derwin James, Nasir Adderley, Alohi Gilman, Mark Webb (4)

Kicker: Michael Badgley (1)

Punter: Ty Long (1)

Long Snapper: Cole Mazza (1)

[Bearded14YourPleasure]

Bandy does look like a natural pass catcher. But he’s so small.

So, Wes Welker?

[AKFlyFisher]

I really like Bandy. I think he brings a different skill set. I think he is either on the PS or the final 53. I know that sounds bullish, but just my gut feeling.

[equivocation]

Bandy has shown more than Hill.

[equivocation]

Seahawks will almost certainly cut a RB who's better than Kelley.

[BoltUp InLA]

Final Chargers 53-man roster projection: With 3 quarterbacks, a running back misses the cut

By Daniel Popper 3h ago
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.

[Formula 21]

I like Niemann a lot, but I’d trade him for a decent young swing OT in an instant.

[like54ninjas]

I like Niemann a lot, but I’d trade him for a decent young swing OT in an instant.

So would every GM/team that is why it will not happen.

[Formula 21]

Final Chargers 53-man roster projection: With 3 quarterbacks, a running back misses the cut

By Daniel Popper 3h ago 23
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.

[blueman]

Hunter over Pipkins, Brannon or Hall over Facyson. And Jackson over Kelley, Bagley over Vizcaino.