The Los Angeles Chargers figure to have some interesting position battles when training camp opens up later this summer. With new sets of eyes evaluating the process in general manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh, it will look like a completely different team when Week 1 opens up.
How will Hortiz and Harbaugh build this 53-man roster? Which players are safe and which players could be surprise roster cuts? Those are just some of the questions fans will be excited to learn the answers to as this new-look Chargers team takes shape.
Looking at the full 90-man roster as it currently sits, these players will be on the roster bubble this summer and their status with the team will remain up in the air based on how they perform in camp and preseason games.
One Chargers player on roster bubble at each position group
Quarterback: Max Duggan
The former Heisman Trophy candidate had a rocky rookie season after being drafted in the seventh round. He was waived a total of three times and brought back each time to be part of the team's practice squad.
The Chargers turned to Easton Stick as the quarterback last season when Justin Herbert opted for season-ending surgery on his index finger. Stick started the team's final four games and didn't play too badly, completing nearly 64 percent of his passes and throwing three touchdowns (rushing for another) with just one interception.
Duggan will have his work cut out for him to elevate himself into the No. 2 role but he will also get pushed from behind by 6-foot-7-inch Casey Bauman, who signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent.
Running back: Isaiah Spiller
After the Chargers brought in Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins this offseason and then drafted Kimani Vidal, there are not many good avenues for Isaiah Spiller to make this team.
Spiller was a fourth-round pick in 2022 but he has just 137 career rushing yards and a 2.5 yards per carry average.
Wide receiver: Cornelius Johnson
The Chargers have added to the wide receiver room considerably this offseason after trading Keenan Allen and watching Mike Williams leave in free agency. For seventh-round pick Cornelius Johnson, there may just be too many names in front of him.
What Johnson will have on his side is the fact he played for Harbaugh at Michigan but he will still really need to show out this summer. If he doesn't make the 53-man roster, he would almost certainly be added to the practice squad.
Tight end: Donald Parham, Jr.
Donald Parham has become a fixture in L.A., playing with the Chargers for the past four seasons. He is coming off of a career-high four touchdown receptions this past season.
However, the Chargers signed both Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst in free agency this offseason, leaving Parham on shaky ground.
Offensive line: Alex Leatherwood
The Chargers just signed Alex Leatherwood this past week in an interesting move but despite his status as a former first-round pick, he is far from a lock to make this roster.
Joey Bosa: 1
— PFF (@PFF) October 5, 2021
Alex Leatherwood: 0
pic.twitter.com/POLLNAadXd
The Chargers have a deep group at offensive line and unless Leatherwood just blows people away and looks way better than he has thus far in his career, he is likely just a fall-back option right now.
Defensive line: Scott Matlock
The defensive line is where there could be a big opportunity on this roster. Justin Eboigbe was drafted in the fourth round but that was really the only addition this offseason, meaning the competition will be wide open.
The Chargers drafted Scott Matlock in the sixth round last year out of Boise State but his rookie season was a quiet one. He will need to make more of an impact this year.
Outside linebacker: Chris Rumph
With Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack on this roster, the Chargers know who their top two outside pass-rushers are going to be. But the signing of veteran Bud Dupree did no favors for Chris Rumph. The team also has blossoming second-year star Tuli Tuipulotu.
Rumph, a fourth-round pick in 2021, has just three career sacks.
Inside linebacker: Troy Dye
Troy Dye comes over as a free agent after four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. But the Chargers also brought back Denzel Perryman this offseason while also using a third-round pick on Junior Colson.
A roster spot could easily come down to Dye or Nick Niemann for that fourth inside linebacker.
Cornerback: Thomas Harper
The Chargers made cornerback a focal point this offseason, signing Kristian Fulton and drafting both Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart. The team looks set at the position, but Thomas Harper is one of the more intriguing undrafted players on the roster.
Safety: Akeem Dent
Another undrafted guy, Akeem Dent might be the most talented undrafted free agent in the Chargers' pool. He played on one of the most talented defenses in the country last year at Florida State.
The Chargers have Derwin James, Alohi Gilman and JT Woods but Dent has a realistic shot to stick as the team's fourth safety.
