Chargers' recent draft pick may cost another player his job soon

Being on the roster bubble can be difficult in the NFL, and position battles will truly begin to rev up over the next few months around the league. For the Los Angeles Chargers, they have a notable situation on their offense when it comes to roster cuts before the 2024 season.

A to Z Sports' Mike Payton revealed a list of one potential cut candidate for each of the 32 NFL teams.

Chargers RB Isaiah Spiller may be a surprise roster cut before 2024 season

There’s a new regime in Los Angeles, and even with that regime favoring the run game, Spiller might have a target on his back. The former fourth-round draft pick in 2022 has 55 carries over the past two seasons and is averaging just 2.5 yards per rushing attempt. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman brought in two players they’re familiar (J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards) with and the team drafted Kimani Vidal . Releasing Spiller would also save over 800K against the salary cap.

-- Chargers contributor Charles Goldman

Los Angeles can save nearly a million dollars against their 2024 cap space by letting Spiller go before the season. With new depth ahead of him in veterans Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins, he looks a bit more expendable.

Both of those RBs have dealt with recent injuries, but they still hold more value than Spiller. His pass blocking abilities have been a work in progress since he entered the NFL, and other options could outperform him in that area, too.

Rookie RB Kimani Vidal may replace Spiller as RB depth

Vidal has great vision and is much more elusive than many other young running backs entering the NFL. He possesses a high motor as well. The Chargers took him in the sixth round, but some evaluators had him as a projected fourth-round pick.

The rookie is also a great receiver out of the backfield. That's an aspect of his game that could provide tons of value to Justin Herbert and the Chargers.

Kimani Vidal offers a robust skill set that can translate well to the NFL, particularly for teams looking for a back with a consistent motor and the ability to chew up yards after contact. His vision and burst through the gaps make him a reliable option for short-yardage situations, while his capability as a pass-catcher enhances his utility on third downs. Despite his many strengths, Vidal’s lack of elite breakaway speed and tendency to seek the perimeter might limit his effectiveness at the next level. -- NFL Draft Buzz

Spiller hasn't proven much at all during his pro career as of yet. He's a former fourth-round pick, but he has totaled just 137 rushing yards and zero rushing touchdowns over his first two seasons.

Spiller and Vidal could matchup for the final RB spot on the Chargers roster to begin the 2024 NFL season. We will see who comes out on top.

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