By Adam Kerr
In an offseason filled with change for the Los Angeles Chargers, the NFL world is seeing what the roster may look like come week one. Under an entirely new coaching regime, fans wonder who may get pushed out of the lineup that Brandon Staley may have preferred to play. Of course, the first unofficial depth chart is not how it will look when the Bolts play the Raiders in September. However, it is interesting to see who the new staff is trending towards starting this season.
The first position to note on this depth chart is Inside Linebacker. The current starters are Denzel Perryman and Daiyan Henley. That is not much of a surprise. However, rookie LB Junior Colson out of Michigan is listed as the third backup behind Troy Dye and Nick Niemann. Most fans expect Colson to be near the top of the final depth chart, seeing that he is the only player on this defense familiar with a Harbaugh/Minter defense. Missing the beginning of camp with an injury does not help his case, however, he still has time to climb the ranks and maybe become a platoon player in this unit.
Another position worth noting – perhaps the most talked-about – is wide receiver. Currently, Joshua Palmer and D.J. Chark lead the pack with Quentin Johnston, Derius Davis, and Ladd McConkey right behind them. The biggest narrative here is Quentin Johnston getting a starting spot on this depth chart. The former first-round pick had a disappointing rookie season and is not showing many signs of improvement so far in camp. On the other hand, Georgia’s Ladd McConkey is not listed as a starter, but as WR5. McConkey is another player who started training camp injured but has shown good signs since returning to action. With this in mind, the final depth chart will likely look considerably different than this first unofficial edition.
At the cornerback position, the pattern across this depth chart truly comes forth. The starters are listed as Asante Samuel Jr. and Kristian Fulton. Samuel has proven himself to be the Chargers’ perennial CB1, and Fulton has impressed many throughout the offseason. Ja’Sir Taylor finds himself at CB3, with fellow slot corner Tarheeb Still sitting as the fourth-ranked corner. According to this depth chart, Taylor is winning the battle for the slot position on this team. Nonetheless, there is still an entire preseason to decide what the lineup will look like.
Side Notes
- New Signing Luis Perez is listed fifth among QBs.
- Seventh-round pick Brenden Rice is listed as WR9 despite a strong camp.
- Both Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins are listed as RB1, setting up what will likely be a true rotational RB room.
- Rookie RB Kimani Vidal is listed as RB6.
Touching back on the previously mentioned in this depth chart, it is clear to see Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers’ coaching staff’s plan so far with their lineups. This first unofficial depth chart shows favoritism for veterans over rookies when it comes to positions that are up in the air. Going through every position, the only rookie listed as a starter is first-round pick Joe Alt, who is slated to be the starting Right Tackle this upcoming season. Even Tuli Tulipulotu, a standout Edge Rusher going into his second year, is listed below Bud Dupree in this depth chart. Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart are likely to be rotation pieces in the secondary, and they are currently listed near the bottom of this depth chart among the corners. With roughly a month remaining before the regular season begins, there is more than enough time for the Chargers final depth chart to take shape, and it will surely be different than it is now.
