2023 Official Roster Build Thread - The Initial 53 / Practice Squad

[Velo]

Never know. Vato was absolutely awful as a rookie.

He was an undrafted project player who drew interest because of his speed. It took him a few years to learn to play the position. In the 2018 playoff game against the Ravens, he was given the task of spying on Lamar Jackson, he was the only player on the team that could match Jackson's speed. And he did a good job of it. He caught and tackled Jackson on a couple of plays before Jackson could turn them into big gainers. He played a key role in winning that game in that aspect. That is when I first remember becoming aware of him as a Charger.

[Lone Bolt]

The guy was - what - a 6th round pick? He's almost certainly headed to greatness based on that alone. Career STer, maybe a serviceable backup. But, this is just another example - obviously lost on you - that Telesco doesn't position us well in the depth department, which is really my main point. This team isn't deep enough to lose starters; quality depth - of which Callahan qualifies - are important.

Well...somebody better tell the staff that if the players are 6th round or later, they are career special teamers...Ekelor and Davis are gonna be crushed...and poor Jamaree was penciled in at RG, too...but hey...no chance they can develop into good starters, right? But your right...we cant afford to lose quality starters...just keep everybody and pay them what they want...why let a little thing like the salary cap get in the way?

[Boltnut]

The guy was - what - a 6th round pick? He's almost certainly headed to greatness based on that alone. Career STer, maybe a serviceable backup. But, this is just another example - obviously lost on you - that Telesco doesn't position us well in the depth department, which is really my main point. This team isn't deep enough to lose starters; quality depth - of which Callahan qualifies - is important.

I'm not sure if Smokey will even see this (I think he has me blocked)...

Jamaree Salyer was the other 6th round pick by TT. This year... he'll start (unlike most of the league's other 6th rounders)
Ja'Sir is fine... depth
Deanne is fine... @ST
That's what most late rounders do.

But if a good CB/DB is there in the early rounds... TT/Staley will take him. Staley is always looking for DB's... his words, not mine.
That's why Bryce isn't signed yet... along with his age and injury history.
If Bryce got re-signed... then injured...? This board would go bananas!

[QSmokey]

Well...somebody better tell the staff that if the players are 6th round or later, they are career special teamers...Ekeler and Davis are gonna be crushed...and poor Jamaree was penciled in at RG, too...but hey...no chance they can develop into good starters, right? But you're right...we can't afford to lose quality starters...just keep everybody and pay them what they want...why let a little thing like the salary cap get in the way?

So quality depth isn't important to you? And there are a number of Pollyannas who post here who have 'reasoned' that we won't be as injury-riddled as we were last year, so I guess quality depth isn't important, based on that.

But I will back off on the 'career special teamer' remark. There are exceptions, of course. Will Taylor be one of them? Only time will tell. He was, as you pointed out, thrust into a very unenviable situation last year against Jax. But, again, why was a 6th-round rookie even put in that position in the first place? As I've said before, many times, if this team has to bank on a charmed season in '23 from an injury standpoint, we're in trouble. Callahan, Feiler, Aboushi...these are examples of what I'd consider quality depth. And their inclusion shouldn't be minimized.

By the way, the ugly salary cap situation we find ourselves in is yet another example of poor FO performance.

[sonorajim]

So quality depth isn't important to you? And there are a number of Pollyannas who post here who have 'reasoned' that we won't be as injury-riddled as we were last year, so I guess quality depth isn't important, based on that.

But I will back off on the 'career special teamer' remark. There are exceptions, of course. Will Taylor be one of them? Only time will tell. He was, as you pointed out, thrust into a very unenviable situation last year against Jax. But, again, why was a 6th-round rookie even put in that position in the first place? As I've said before, many times, if this team has to bank on a charmed season in '23 from an injury standpoint, we're in trouble. Callahan, Feiler, Aboushi...these are examples of what I'd consider quality depth. And their inclusion shouldn't be minimized.

By the way, the ugly salary cap situation we find ourselves in is yet another example of poor FO performance.

If leading the NFL in injuries happened once, it will probably happen every year?
That does not compute. The Chargers can expect to be @ average for an NFL team.
Sometimes it's more, sometimes less but coming off max bad? Odds are excellent we'll be healthier in '23.
Good depth is huge and we try. We limped to the playoffs with depth.
Our cap sit is a tip that we're trying to win more games.

[Boltnut]

IMO, the salary cap is a reflection of the FO's success...
Keenan Allen was a 3rd rounder... a 3rd rounder! You won't find many better 3rd rounders out there.
Joey and Mike are guys that got drafted high... and have produced. Those type of players get paid... they just do.
Then you have Khalil Mack. The FO could have just gone with Nwosu (who had a good year with Seattle). But he didn't really fit what Staley wants to do...
I like a FO that is willing to get a coach what he feels is necessary...
I like a FO that's willing to go get quality FA's... Corey Linsley, Morgan Fox, SJD, Austin Johnson... Callahan/KVN... Kendricks (TBD).
LoneBolt is right... you can't pay everyone. So choose wisely.

I get it... FA's were brought in because the roster wasn't strong enough in areas. And that was a result of drafting.
TT will have to get things right in upcoming drafts... the Herbert contract means the high-priced contracts will eventually be let go.

[QSmokey]

If leading the NFL in injuries happened once, it will probably happen every year?
That does not compute. The Chargers can expect to be @ average for an NFL team.
Sometimes it's more, sometimes less but coming off max bad? Odds are excellent we'll be healthier in '23.
Good depth is huge and we try. We limped to the playoffs with depth.
Our cap sit is a tip that we're trying to win more games.

I have no idea. And neither do you, or anyone else. We could, conceivably, have a worse injury-riddled season. So I think it's foolish to 'expect' the Chargers to be average. They could be average; they could be better; they could be worse. You can't count on anything. Which is why I think it's smart to hedge your bets; make depth a priority, not just an afterthought. Unless none of you guys really think the Chargers are positioned to make a SB run in '23 and will be OK with 5th-6th-7th round draftees - projects - filling out the depth chart. How's that been working for us?

[gzubeck]

I have no idea. And neither do you, or anyone else. We could, conceivably, have a worse injury-riddled season. So I think it's foolish to 'expect' the Chargers to be average. They could be average; they could be better; they could be worse. You can't count on anything. Which is why I think it's smart to hedge your bets; make depth a priority, not just an afterthought. Unless none of you guys really think the Chargers are positioned to make a SB run in '23 and will be OK with 5th-6th-7th round draftees - projects - filling out the depth chart. How's that been working for us?

I'm banking on the near death experience that Staley and Telesco experienced last season. If things happen anywhere near what happened last season I expect mass ejections of expensive players and a mini rebuild with rookie players for the 2024 season.

[beachcomber]

If leading the NFL in injuries happened once, it will probably happen every year?
That does not compute. The Chargers can expect to be @ average for an NFL team.
Sometimes it's more, sometimes less but coming off max bad? Odds are excellent we'll be healthier in '23.
Good depth is huge and we try. We limped to the playoffs with depth.
Our cap sit is a tip that we're trying to win more games.

really wonder if Kroenke gives any thought to replacing the SoFi turf ?? god knows he can afford the upkeep for grass....

[beachcomber]

IMO, the salary cap is a reflection of the FO's success...
Keenan Allen was a 3rd rounder... a 3rd rounder! You won't find many better 3rd rounders out there.
Joey and Mike are guys that got drafted high... and have produced. Those type of players get paid... they just do.
Then you have Khalil Mack. The FO could have just gone with Nwosu (who had a good year with Seattle). But he didn't really fit what Staley wants to do...
I like a FO that is willing to get a coach what he feels is necessary...
I like a FO that's willing to go get quality FA's... Corey Linsley, Morgan Fox, SJD, Austin Johnson... Callahan/KVN... Kendricks (TBD).
LoneBolt is right... you can't pay everyone. So choose wisely.

I get it... FA's were brought in because the roster wasn't strong enough in areas. And that was a result of drafting.
TT will have to get things right in upcoming drafts... the Herbert contract means the high-priced contracts will eventually be let go.

know alot, if not most here, will not agree, and.... next offseason my top two priorities are finding trade partners for the both of Bosa 'n MW....

and TT has already shown his hand as a talent evaluator, he is avg and has no problem in deferring to his HC and Director of Football Ops.

personally suspect that this next season will be our ceiling 'til we revamp the FO and coaching staff.

[gzubeck]

really wonder if Kroenke gives any thought to replacing the SoFi turf ?? god knows he can afford the upkeep for grass....

Very simple...tell kroenke does he want all the star players out with injuries and no one shows up for games at his expensive new stadium. No one buying expensive beer and parking spots on game day because people can stay home and watch their favorite team lose on TV.

[gzubeck]

know alot, if not most here, will not agree, and.... next offseason my top two priorities are finding trade partners for the both of Bosa 'n MW....

and TT has already shown his hand as a talent evaluator, he is avg and has no problem in deferring to his HC and Director of Football Ops.

personally suspect that this next season will be our ceiling 'til we revamp the FO and coaching staff.

I like Mdub more than Bosa at this time and period and do not blame him for the stupid injury that happened to him at the end of the season.