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[Formula 21]

3 most impressive players from Chargers training camp so far



Summarize
The Los Angeles Chargers have had a few surprising performers at the start of camp. Here are three impressive players who have made statements in camp.

Tyler Reed| 17 Hours Ago
The Los Angeles Chargers are a little over a week into their 2025 training camp slate. On Thursday, practice time turns to game time, as the team meets the Detroit Lions in the Hall of Fame Game.

Training camp is the time for players who are not promised a job to fight for their opportunity to be on the sidelines when the regular season begins in September.

RELATED: Chargers news: Big expectations, potential starting OL, 1-2 punch and more

So, who has been making a name for themselves at camp so far? Here are three players who have made a great impression at Chargers camp.

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1. KeAndre Lambert Smith - WR


The Chargers wanted depth at wide receiver coming into the preseason and may have found just that with fifth-round pick KeAndre Lambert-Smith.

Smith has had plenty of plays to add to his highlight reel this summer. This could be a big name to watch in the Hall of Fame Game.

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2. Nikko Reed - CB


UDFA cornerback Nikko Reed continues to make big plays during camp. Reed will have a chance to prove that what he has been doing on the practice field can translate to an actual game on Thursday night.

RELATED: Los Angeles Chargers have Mike Williams replacement lined up

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3. Derius Davis - WR


Another wide receiver who has shown moments of greatness at camp has been third-year receiver Derius Davis.

Davis had an impressive day on the practice field a few days ago, which saw the former fourth-round pick haul in three touchdowns in one day. The future could be bright for the receiving unit.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

...Easton Stick and Chase Daniel being on the team because they were "friends" of Justin is just the wrong message to send the rest of the team. ..

Is it a fact that Stick and Daniel were on the team primarily because they were Herbert's friends?

[Velo]

Is it a fact that Stick and Daniel were on the team primarily because they were Herbert's friends?

Daniel had a relationship with Joe Lombardi and knew Lombardi's system, having spent 4 seasons in NO. He didn't know Herbert from Adam when the Chargers signed him in 2021, his role was to help Herbert prepare for games in Lombardi's system.

[Boltjolt]

Herbert gets injured a lot.

I would prefer that Lance develop into a better backup than Heineicke so the season isn’t over if Herbert can’t play.

Better scenario,IMO, is Heineicke is traded and QB room is upgraded.

Upgraded based on what?

Lance hasn't shown anything in his career yet to be a #2. Started out over drafted, hurt, then benched. Traded, couldn't beat out Cooper Rush for the #2.

Let's see is he can even beat out Heinicke before we trade him. I'm thinking he won't but I suppose it's possible.

[Fouts2herbert]

Normally I'd agree but the X factor here might be Ben Herbert.
with a solid trainer like him that could be an expert motivator and weight loss system can make all the difference for a fat athlete who may have struggled in the past.

If Hortiz and company extend him after this season, I'll trust that they have weighed the risks and felt it was worth it. Harbaugh once said that he wants all OTs on the offensive line, Jamaree was a LT in college, I think Branson was also a RT, correct? For sure Becton was a tackle even in the pros, so the only guys that don't fit the profile are Zion and Bozeman.

[Fouts2herbert]

If the Chargers can run consistently to the right this year it will be a win. I'm expecting if OC and LG struggle this year they will fix it next year. I know this isn't a popular opinion, but I do like they are trying to make it work with Boz and Zion instead of cutting ties and making more holes to fill. I think they are looking for a young center for the future, but it just hasn't worked out.

One thing I feel comfortable about is that Hortiz is going to attack the problem head on like he has with the rest of the roster. The thing is that there's a limit to how much can be done in 1.5 years and two drafts. They're going to continue to surround Herbert with talent, that much has become apparent already...

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

If Hortiz and company extend him after this season, I'll trust that they have weighed the risks and felt it was worth it. Harbaugh once said that he wants all OTs on the offensive line, Jamaree was a LT in college, I think Branson was also a RT, correct? For sure Becton was a tackle even in the pros, so the only guys that don't fit the profile are Zion and Bozeman.

In the next couple of drafts, I expect Joe Hortiz to routinely target IOL on Day 3, in the same way he's targeted DBs in his first two drafts. As expensive as Slater and Alt are, and will be, Hortiz will be challenged to find and develop cheaper talent for the rest of the O-line.

It will be great news, if Branson can be one of those guys. Salyer, too. Strength and depth are the objectives.

[Fouts2herbert]

In the next couple of drafts, I expect Joe Hortiz to routinely target IOL on Day 3, in the same way he's targeted DBs in his first two drafts. As expensive as Slater and Alt are, and will be, Hortiz will be challenged to find and develop cheaper talent for the rest of the O-line.

It will be great news, if Branson can be one of those guys. Salyer, too. Strength and depth are the objectives.

Branson's college tape he looks like a meaner and way stronger version of Trey Pipkins, very fluid and athletic like Trey but with stronger hands and more juice in the overall strength department. I don't expect much from him in 2025, he's a developmental guy and he's coming off major knee surgery, frankly I'm astonished that he hasn't missed a bit of OTA, minicamp, or TC so far...some people just heal faster or are way tougher mentally. Seems to me like his draft stock took a hit due to his injury. They like him for the guard position, maybe next year he'll be counted on to become a primary back up at both guard positions and maybe even at RT too...worse case scenario I think Branson could be an important back up for 2026 and beyond...

[Steve]

Yes, a 30lb heavier Salyer who said he got winded too easily carrying that weight.

And to Salyer’s credit, he acknowledged he sucked and why he went on a diet.

It's not just the conditioning. Overweight guys often struggle to play with good leverage. Lineman can't get into good football position and can't play with leverage, losing their strength. And Slayer and the coaches have been complimenting him on the lateral movement, which is his ability to get good "fits" - making good contact and making it much harder for the defender to get off his block.

Losing weight is not everything for Salyer but it is a great start.

[Boltinloudguy]

Branson's college tape he looks like a meaner and way stronger version of Trey Pipkins, very fluid and athletic like Trey but with stronger hands and more juice in the overall strength department. I don't expect much from him in 2025, he's a developmental guy and he's coming off major knee surgery, frankly I'm astonished that he hasn't missed a bit of OTA, minicamp, or TC so far...some people just heal faster or are way tougher mentally. Seems to me like his draft stock took a hit due to his injury. They like him for the guard position, maybe next year he'll be counted on to become a primary back up at both guard positions and maybe even at RT too...worse case scenario I think Branson could be an important back up for 2026 and beyond...

They are also saying coming out of the draft his RAS when moved to G he was either in the high 8s or low 9s. I think he has a real shot at starting LG next year. They will give him every opportunity. Excited to see him play this preseason.

[Steve]

I don't know about most QBs, to be honest. In today's league, the game is sped up and success must come early for a QB. When Manning played, QB contracts weren't as bloated and didn't mortgage your entire franchise for years. Nowadays, QBs get extended early and often causing huge cap constraints. Not to mention, the league in Manning's time was still reliant on a solid ground game and great defenses, and that afforded Manning time to come into his own. Today, no one will give such a long leash for a QB unless you're the buffoon Cowboys run by Jerry Jones. Same can be said for the Lions, who are unlikely to win the big one with Jared Goff, or the Buccaneers who'll do just barely enough to make the playoffs starting Baker Mayfield. These QB decisions make or break the success of your franchise for a long time.

I'll give Herbert some benefit of the doubt, however, since his supporting cast has been mostly atrocious throughout the years, whether that's coaching or players. At least, with Manning, there wasn't so much of an excuse as he had a strong supporting cast relatively early in his career, and he still had trouble getting over the hump. And Brady, well, he isn't a good example in this regard, as he won the SB in his first full year starting, and then won 2 more 2 years later and made the Patriots a dynasty. He was afforded to have down years, because he had so much postseason success early in his career.

I know what you're saying, but that is mostly about perceptions. How many teams in the last couple of decades have moved on from a QB because they didn't think he was "it"? And then what did they do? Take the Rams and Washington. The Rams have gotten incredibly lucky trading Goff for Stafford, but while Stafford has played well, he is probably done after this year. Goff hasn't won a SB, but he was traded to just about the worst team in football, and now they have a QB in his prime.

Washington got rid of Kirk Cousins, which was fair because he is not a championship caliber QB, but they didn't have anyone close to an NFL caliber starter for 6 seasons. That is a long time to go waiting for a franchise QB.

When teams draft a QB high, it is because the team sucks pretty bad. A good team with a bad QB is out of the running for an elite QB in the draft. But people don't seem to recognize that as these bad teams build around that young franchise QB, it takes time for the QB to develop. Bad teams with great QB can overachieve, like we did last year, and a couple of years ago when we lost to the Jags.

This year seems different. I'm not saying all the young guys getting press are all going to be superstars this season, although maybe some or all will. I just think that the Chargers are making progress developing players in a way that we haven't in the past. I think that is what is making the difference. We won't be able to tell everything tomorrow in the HOF game, but it should be a nice first baby step towards the rest of the year.

[gzubeck]

I know what you're saying, but that is mostly about perceptions. How many teams in the last couple of decades have moved on from a QB because they didn't think he was "it"? And then what did they do? Take the Rams and Washington. The Rams have gotten incredibly lucky trading Goff for Stafford, but while Stafford has played well, he is probably done after this year. Goff hasn't won a SB, but he was traded to just about the worst team in football, and now they have a QB in his prime.

Washington got rid of Kirk Cousins, which was fair because he is not a championship caliber QB, but they didn't have anyone close to an NFL caliber starter for 6 seasons. That is a long time to go waiting for a franchise QB.

When teams draft a QB high, it is because the team sucks pretty bad. A good team with a bad QB is out of the running for an elite QB in the draft. But people don't seem to recognize that as these bad teams build around that young franchise QB, it takes time for the QB to develop. Bad teams with great QB can overachieve, like we did last year, and a couple of years ago when we lost to the Jags.

This year seems different. I'm not saying all the young guys getting press are all going to be superstars this season, although maybe some or all will. I just think that the Chargers are making progress developing players in a way that we haven't in the past. I think that is what is making the difference. We won't be able to tell everything tomorrow in the HOF game, but it should be a nice first baby step towards the rest of the year.

They got one now as they were only a game away from SB.