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

[Classic]

What about those QJ grabs..... He's legit.

Yeah the tidbits i keep reading about him sounds exciting. Staley and his defense just needs to not be horrible and we should be a top 3 team. Love that we're going up against a loaded Miami team in week 1 because we'll know early if this team is legit or not.

[sonorajim]

Yeah the tidbits i keep reading about him sounds exciting. Staley and his defense just needs to not be horrible and we should be a top 3 team. Love that we're going up against a loaded Miami team in week 1 because we'll know early if this team is legit or not.

We dominated defensively vs Mia last year then went on a 3 game D tear vs weaker teams that vaulted us into the playoffs. Not bad with a lot of D stars out. But that was last year.
I'm looking forward to Mia '23 also but it's just one game. Where we're at after Dal and KC will be more telling. 4-2 would be acceptable, 6-0 Good. Too early to carry on about Great.

[Maniaque 6]

4-0 and split Dal and KC.

[Velo]

Couple of observations from the past.

In LT's epic season of 2006, it was also Michael Turner's best season as a Charger. LT gained 1815 yds on 348 carries and 5.2 ypc. But Turner got about a quarter of the carries that season: 80 for 502 yds and 6.3 ypc. It seems they really helped each other Turner benefitted from defenses maybe relaxing a bit with LT taking a breather. And Turner continuing to tire out the defense even when LT wasn't carrying the ball. A relentless rushing attack. I wonder if Ekeler and Spiller could create a similar dynamic.

2ndly, the tale of two Keenans. There's no shortage of posters here who are eager to move on from Allen. But KA reminds me very much of Keenan McCardell. Both found their success as superb route runners and possessing excellent hands. KA really reminds me of KM as he ages - neither relied on speed. McCardell had some of his best seasons after age 30. He arrived in SD at age 34 and immediately upgraded the WR corps. Like KM, KA's skillset is the type that ages well in the NFL - route running, cunning, and hands. So don't be too keen to move on from Keenan.

[dmac_bolt]

We dominated defensively vs Mia last year then went on a 3 game D tear vs weaker teams that vaulted us into the playoffs. Not bad with a lot of D stars out. But that was last year.
I'm looking forward to Mia '23 also but it's just one game. Where we're at after Dal and KC will be more telling. 4-2 would be acceptable, 6-0 Good. Too early to carry on about Great.

We added three new defensive players in the draft, not counting any UDFA bonus prizes. All three look legit upgrades on paper to last year’s squad, either improved backup or possible improved starter. Can’t wait to see them play, along with the studs back from IR.

[dmac_bolt]

Couple of observations from the past.

In LT's epic season of 2006, it was also Michael Turner's best season as a Charger. LT gained 1815 yds on 348 carries and 5.2 ypc. But Turner got about a quarter of the carries that season: 80 for 502 yds and 6.3 ypc. It seems they really helped each other Turner benefitted from defenses maybe relaxing a bit with LT taking a breather. And Turner continuing to tire out the defense even when LT wasn't carrying the ball. A relentless rushing attack. I wonder if Ekeler and Spiller could create a similar dynamic.

2ndly, the tale of two Keenans. There's no shortage of posters here who are eager to move on from Allen. But KA reminds me very much of Keenan McCardell. Both found their success as superb route runners and possessing excellent hands. KA really reminds me of KM as he ages - neither relied on speed. McCardell had some of his best seasons after age 30. He arrived in SD at age 34 and immediately upgraded the WR corps. Like KM, KA's skillset is the type that ages well in the NFL - route running, cunning, and hands. So don't be too keen to move on from Keenan.

The problem will be its him or Dub - what does a guy do if he’s infatuated with both? I see no way they allocate >$45M of cap to those two next year . Lets just enjoy this year and worry about tomorrow manana.

[21&500]

There needs to be a thread about KA vs Mike Dub regarding who is actually leaving.
it's assumed by most that it's KA but some make strong arguments to keep KA over Williams.

I'm still saying it's KA leaving and expect a FA WR to take less to play with Herbert. I think it would have happened this year with Dhop if we had any interest. We should be able to find great value in veteran WRs who value catching passes from Herb and want a chance at a ring.

[richpjr]

Popper's thoughts on the roster:

Justin Herbert’s health, aggression and thoughts on every Chargers position group

The Chargers are officially on summer break. They held their final practice of the offseason program last week and now have five weeks off before training camp begins in late July.

Training camp is when the roster will truly start to take shape, when the pads come on and the competition heats up. As coach Brandon Staley said last week, there is “definitely more teaching and learning than evaluating” during spring practices. That is especially the case for line-of-scrimmage positions like offensive line, defensive line and edge rusher. The Chargers, under Staley, do not do any 11-on-11 work during the spring.

Still, there was plenty to glean during the five spring practices open to the media — three organized team activities and two mandatory minicamp practices.

Here are thoughts on every position group as the Chargers conclude their offseason program:

Quarterback
It was only seven-on-seven drills in three practices, but I saw a much more aggressive version of Justin Herbert in the spring. First, he is healthy. Herbert battled fractured rib cartilage and a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder last season. Health certainly makes a difference. But there are other factors at play. Kellen Moore’s influence, in terms of scheme and coaching, is a part of it. Herbert growing as a player is part of it, too. He is more experienced. He also is more comfortable with all of his weapons, from Keenan Allen to Mike Williams to Gerald Everett to Donald Parham Jr. The Chargers want to be more explosive as an offense this year. That starts with their quarterback leaning into his otherworldly arm talent. I think we are seeing the very early signs of that happening.

Running back
One of the key battles of training camp will be the second running back spot behind Austin Ekeler. Sound familiar? The Chargers want to be a better rushing team in 2023. Some of the improvement will come from Moore’s schematic changes, including creating a more simplified, streamlined and defined identity. To bring those schematic changes to life, though, the Chargers will need a running back to step up behind Ekeler and bring some north-south physicality between the tackles. Joshua Kelley showed promise before he got hurt in Week 6 last season. The Chargers remain high on Isaiah Spiller. Moore’s rushing offenses in Dallas were at their best when Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard were both rolling. Who is going to complement Ekeler and complete the Chargers’ tandem?

Receiver
During minicamp, we got to see Allen, Williams and rookie Quentin Johnston all on the field for the first time. This is going to be a scary trio. Johnston, with his explosiveness and yards-after-the-catch ability, brings a skill set that was really missing from this group. Through spring practices, you could just feel the extra dimension on the field. Add in Joshua Palmer and Jalen Guyton, who were rehabbing injuries in the spring, and the Chargers have a deep, big, versatile group of receivers. And they are much better positioned to weather injuries this season as compared to last season.

Tight end
My big takeaway from spring practices: The Chargers have some real receiving weapons in this group. Parham looked healthy and lively. Gerald Everett is coming off a career season as a receiver. Even Stone Smartt made some plays in the spring as he enters his second season. This is not anything revelatory. The Chargers have built this group to provide Herbert with weapons in the passing game. But they will need to find the run blocking somewhere. Who steps up? Is it Tre’ McKitty? Is it Parham? Is it Hunter Kampmoyer? The tight ends did not block well last season, and the Chargers did not add talent in that phase this offseason. So they will be relying on internal development. Offensive line


This is how the starting group set up in minicamp: left tackle Rashawn Slater, left guard Zion Johnson, center Corey Linsley, right guard Jamaree Salyer, right tackle Trey Pipkins III. Johnson did not participate fully in the minicamp practices, but he is expected to be ready for the start of training camp. This group, from top to bottom, is in outstanding shape thanks to three offseasons of investing from Staley. The starting five has a chance to be special, especially with Johnson moving to his more natural position at left guard next to an All-Pro in Slater. And the Chargers have depth behind the starting five, with Brenden Jaimes, Zack Bailey, Foster Sarell, rookie Jordan McFadden and others all competing for roles and roster spots.

Interior defensive line
Austin Johnson and Otito Ogbonnia are still rehabbing knee injuries they suffered last season. How both players respond in 2023 will have a huge impact on this group. Johnson and Obgonnia made appearances on the field at points during spring practices, working off to the side with trainers. If Johnson and Ogbonnia are ready for Week 1, this is a very deep and versatile group. If they are not ready, the Chargers will be relying on young, unproven players like Christopher Hinton and rookie Scott Matlock.

Edge rusher
I really like the depth of this group after the Chargers drafted Tuli Tuipulotu in the second round. I am curious to see how he performs when the pads come on and he has to go up against Slater and Pipkins in one-on-one and 11-on-11 drills. That is when the real evaluation will begin.

Linebacker
The biggest change the Chargers made defensively this offseason was signing Eric Kendricks after he was cut by the Vikings. Kendricks is going to have a crucial role in Staley’s defense as the green-dot signal-caller in the huddle. I think Kendricks will have the most impact against the run. I believe Kendricks still has the capacity to be an elite player in that phase. Players across the defense have lauded Kendricks’ experience and communication skills so far this spring. The Chargers are hoping that will lead to more consistent fits against the run. We will see if that comes to fruition in training camp. I am also interested to see if Kendricks’ presence helps elevate Kenneth Murray Jr., who is in the final year of his deal.

Safety
I thought Alohi Gilman had a really strong spring, building off what he did down the stretch last season. Gilman is not the biggest safety. He is not an elite athlete. But he has tremendous football IQ and instincts. He is reliable in his positioning and ability to diagnose, read and react pre- and post-snap. I see no issues with Gilman entering this season as the starting safety next to Derwin James Jr. I think he earned that role last season. The issue I see with this group is at the third safety spot, which was JT Woods’ job in the spring. The coaching staff seems confident that Woods is ready for that role. I have to see it in training camp before I can make such a proclamation. The third safety spot in Staley’s defense is not a bench-warmer role. Staley likes to move James around all over the field, including into the slot. And when James moves around, that third safety comes on to take his spot on the back end. If Woods does not take a big step forward and prove himself a trustworthy tackler and deep-field safety, Staley will have a pretty glaring hole in his defense.

Cornerback
The first-team cornerbacks did not change throughout spring practices: Asante Samuel Jr. and Michael Davis on the outside with Ja’Sir Taylor in the slot. But that lineup could easily change in training camp if and when J.C. Jackson returns from his knee injury. Jackson, who tore the patellar tendon in his right knee in Week 7 last season, seemed very confident that he would be ready for the start of camp. When Jackson is back on the field, he would presumably replace Samuel at outside corner. I think Davis has earned his starting role on the outside. Samuel was a liability in run defense last season, and that could impact his role in 2023 with Jackson back in the fold. Taylor is a bigger and better run defender than Samuel. Run defense is an important aspect of playing as a slot defender — or Star, in Staley’s verbiage. At the very least, Jackson returning would give Staley plenty of options in how he sets up his corners. Jackson and Davis would man the outside. Taylor and Samuel could rotate in the slot depending on week-to-week matchups or even specific packages, downs and distances within a game.

Specialists
There will be an open kicker battle between Dustin Hopkins and Cameron Dicker during training camp. In the five open spring practices, Hopkins went 17 for 21 on field goals and Dicker went 13 for 15. In the final minicamp practice Wednesday, Hopkins was the first kicker on the field in the walkthrough two-minute drills period. This could go either way in training camp. Hopkins has more experience and a stronger leg. Dicker was outstanding as an injury replacement last season and was largely clutch, outside of his missed kick in the Jaguars playoff loss. Whoever loses the battle could be traded for draft capital after training camp.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Popper's thoughts on the roster:

I don't see any NFL giving the Chargers a draft pick for Dustin Hopkins.

[Topcat]

I don't see any NFL giving the Chargers a draft pick for Dustin Hopkins.

Yep...kickers are like RB's...there's always several of them kicking around, available to be signed...

[Classic]

Popper's thoughts on the roster:

Not sure why he wants Assante moved around alot, he's our best CB. JC needs to earned that paycheck before being pushed up to #1 CB. I do not like the OL depth we have right now. Jaimes has been here a few seasons and I've seen Sarrell play more snaps then him and I worry about Linsley health and age going forward. I'm betting we move on of the guards to center but that depth is really concerning. Also relying on 2 guys in the interior Dline coming off major injuries is bad news. I'd like to see a upgrade there.

[SuperCharged]

Couple of observations from the past.

In LT's epic season of 2006, it was also Michael Turner's best season as a Charger. LT gained 1815 yds on 348 carries and 5.2 ypc. But Turner got about a quarter of the carries that season: 80 for 502 yds and 6.3 ypc. It seems they really helped each other Turner benefitted from defenses maybe relaxing a bit with LT taking a breather. And Turner continuing to tire out the defense even when LT wasn't carrying the ball. A relentless rushing attack. I wonder if Ekeler and Spiller could create a similar dynamic.

2ndly, the tale of two Keenans. There's no shortage of posters here who are eager to move on from Allen. But KA reminds me very much of Keenan McCardell. Both found their success as superb route runners and possessing excellent hands. KA really reminds me of KM as he ages - neither relied on speed. McCardell had some of his best seasons after age 30. He arrived in SD at age 34 and immediately upgraded the WR corps. Like KM, KA's skillset is the type that ages well in the NFL - route running, cunning, and hands. So don't be too keen to move on from Keenan.

It's all about the $$$ Is an aging player worth the cap hit. The reality of it is KA or MW will be gone after this season.