3 Chargers Positions Still Without Clear Starters: Predicting Who Will Fill These Jobs

The Los Angeles Chargers have seen a top-to-bottom shake-up in the wake of perhaps the most disappointing season in their 60+ year history. Between the changes in philosophy to the loss of key players, the team will have to fill key roles on both sides of the ball. And as of today, there is no clear-cut answer to who will rise up to meet these needs.

Which Chargers Roster Jobs Are Open Ahead of Training Camp?

Wide Receiver 1 (and 2, and 3)

Moving on from Keenan Allen and Mike Williams has created a vacuum just waiting to be filled. The Chargers have done several things to address it; drafting three wide receivers and signing one in free agency. But not one of the Chargers rostered receivers has proven to be a top-tier receiver in the NFL

The closest is DJ Chark , who before a devastating injury, had two good seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Josh Palmer . Palmer has thoroughly been in the Williams/Allen shadow and has flashed when injured, but also hasn’t risen to the top in his first three seasons.

Outside of those, these jobs are wide open and are just waiting for a qualified candidate to stand out from the crowd. Could it be second-year former first-rounder, Quentin Johnston ? Maybe one of the drafted pass catchers, Ladd McConkey , Brenden Rice , or Corneilus Johnson?

Pass Catching Tight End

An elite pass-catching tight end is a mainstay for the Jim Harbaugh /Greg Roman offenses. Whether that’s been Vernon Davis in San Francisco or Marc Andrews with the Baltimore Ravens.

While the Chargers have six tight ends on their roster currently , There seems to be only one clear-cut option; Hayden Hurst . Although even he hasn’t been a highly productive pass catcher in his career.

The Chargers have prioritized balancing the run game and protecting Justin Herbert this offseason. Adding Will Dissly and Hurst is consistent with those goals, but adding this need to the first open job equals a lack of necessary receiving options for Herbert.

Even though this coaching staff will rely on the running game, they will need someone to catch passes.

Interior Defensive Line

The Chargers slapped a band-aid called Poona Ford on the defensive line and that should work fine for this season. But they need two more guys to step up and fill in the two other starting roles. Morgan Fox is the most logical choice to take a lion’s share of the snaps at 3-tech, but even he played less than 40 percent of the team’s defensive snaps last year.

The biggest question mark is who will complement Fox on the other side of the line. Otito Ogbonnia and Scott Matlock are both former late-round draft picks who have played well enough, but are they ready for prime time? Another name to watch is rookie fourth rounder, Justin Eboigbe .

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