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

[Bolt-O]

What is a high level baller in Africa? What kind of ball?

The article says he played Basketball, probably too short for the NBA at 6'6". I can't imagine him playing soccer.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

The article says he played Basketball, probably too short for the NBA at 6'6". I can't imagine him playing soccer.

Might've played rugby or Lacrosse, too.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

I can't imagine him playing soccer.

He'd fill up the net as a goalkeeper.

[Lone Bolt]

Maybe Fleet 1 can move this post to the Roster thread when he reopens it.

I haven't done a roster prediction for this season yet, so here's one:

Offense(25)

QB: Herbert, Stick,
RB: Ekeler, Kelley, Spiller, *Dotson,
FB: Horvath
WR: Allen, Williams, #Johnston, Palmer, #Davis,
TE: Everett, Parham Jr, McKitty, Smartt,
OT: Slater, Pipkins, Sarell, Bailey,
OG: Johnson, Salyer, #McFadden,
OC: Linsley, Clapp,


Defense(25)

NT: Joseph-Day, *Clark,
DT: Johnson, N.Williams,
DE: Fox, #Matlock,
LOLB: Bosa, #Tuipulotu,
ROLB: Mack, Rumph,
LILB: Murray, Niemann, #Henley,
RILB: Kendricks, Ogbongbemiga,
LCB: Jackson, *Brown
RCB: Davis, Leonard,
NCB: Samuel Jr, Taylor,
FS: Gilman, Woods,
SS: James, Layne,


Specialists(3)

Punter: JK Scott
Kicker: Cameron Dicker
Snapper: Josh Harris


Injured Reserve

WR: Guyton[PUP]
NT: Ogbonnia[PUP]


I think the Chargers can get away with stashing Max Duggan on the Practice Squad. Because Ekeler might not be with the Chargers next season, all the more incentive to keep Dotson. Ekeler made the team against the 49ers in the 3rd preseason game, and Dotson could be following almost exactly in Ekelers footsteps. Horvath is a core special teamer and is still a useful cog in springing the RB's for big gains. I can see Keelan Doss being the 6th WR until Guyton is back, but often these last few spots come down to Special Teams, so I'm leaning towards Stone Smartt, who was looking really good last season in camp until injury. For the O Line, I think Bailey's G/T versatility and consistency will push Jaimes off the 53.

With Austin Johnson back from PUP, I think Chris Hinton will be a strong practice squad candidate, unless the Chargers prefer 3 DT's and 1 NT. Until Tito is back from PUP, Jerrod Clark will be the backup NT. I like Okoye's story and hope he sticks around on the Practice Squad, and really push for a spot next season. As far as DB's go, Cam Brown could sneak on to the 53, in a 6-4 CB/Safety split. My reasoning is CB's Deane Leonard and Ja Taylor are serviceable third string safeties, so you don't really need Mark Webb. Brown is a tall and athletic corner who is more covetable to the type of defense the Chargers run.

Our RB's next season: Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller, Elijah Dotson... Call it The Prophecy, Old Testament stuff.

Solid...lotta good young LBs flying around this preseason, and I have not heard much on Ogbongbemiga...are we sure thats a lock? Thoughts anyone?

Also think they carry 6 WRs...but not sure where we trim to have the room...

[Topcat]

Our RB's next season: Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller, Elijah Dotson... Call it The Prophecy, Old Testament stuff.

Interesting...Joshua leads us to the promised land, and Isaiah and Elijah work miracles...nice...

[Topcat]

What is a high level baller in Africa? What kind of ball?

It was basketball. Here's an interesting and amusing detail on Okoye:

image.png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CJ_Okoye

I can just see a biopic coming! This story just keeps getting better!

[jox g]

What is a high level baller in Africa? What kind of ball?

Pickle ball? Ping pong ball?

[jamrock]

The article says he played Basketball, probably too short for the NBA at 6'6". I can't imagine him playing soccer.

Round mound of rebound. He could clear some space. Everybody plays soccer outside the US.

[Topcat]

Round mound of rebound. He could clear some space. Everybody plays soccer outside the US.

Kind of like a Wes "The Oak Tree" Unseld type of basketball player...6-7, 245#...

[21&500]

What is a high level baller in Africa? What kind of ball?

Haha ya I took that at face value.

[Tol]

Solid...lotta good young LBs flying around this preseason, and I have not heard much on Ogbongbemiga...are we sure thats a lock? Thoughts anyone?

Also think they carry 6 WRs...but not sure where we trim to have the room...

So I would look at special teams snap counts first. For the Rams game Lynch had 13 while Amen had 5. That's interesting. You might be on to something! I haven't seen snap counts for the Saints game though, and I don't know who gets the most reps at practice. I can only rely on what others report. Popper had Ogbongbemiga making his initial 53, but maybe Lynch is close to bumping one of Nieman or Amen off. Something to think about, Lynch has looked good. Got to watch the injuries too:

I expect them to carry 6 WR's too, once Guyton is back. And I expect them to trim the 4th TE(Smartt) or 6th WR(Doss). Just my guess.

[dmac_bolt]

The article says he played Basketball, probably too short for the NBA at 6'6". I can't imagine him playing soccer.

ahh, thank you good sir!