https://chargerswire.usatoday.com/lists/chargers-position-battles-rams-preseason-week-1/

Alex Katson
August 10, 2023 8:29 pm PT

After seven months of waiting, Chargers football returns on Saturday
with a number of new storylines as the team embarks on a new season.

With a matchup against their SoFi Stadium roommates on the docket, which
positions have the most on the line?

Kicker

Cameron Dicker has taken the lion’s share of the kicking reps in
training camp thus far, while veteran Dustin Hopkins has barely
practiced. It’s unclear whether or not Hopkins is injured or just
remaining on the roster on the off chance that Dicker picks up an injury
of his own. Saturday’s game should provide some clarity, likely in the
form of Dicker further locking up his spot as the starting kicker.

Slot cornerback

Asante Samuel Jr. and Ja’Sir Taylor have been locked in a fierce battle
for the starting slot corner job, with neither player ceding much ground
so far in camp. Samuel has been perhaps LA’s best cover player, with
four interceptions and 16 passes defended, but Saturday will be the
first glimpse of how he performs in live run defense.

Meanwhile, Taylor profiles as the more well-rounded player, which might
be enough to secure the starting job in a Brandon Staley scheme
requiring the slot corner to contribute heavily in run defense.

It’s also possible that one or both of Samuel and Taylor don’t play
much, if at all, this preseason, given Staley’s proclivity to rest his
starters. In that regard, snap counts may also begin to tell a story of
who has the lead for the job.

Defensive line

With Otito Ogbonnia and Austin Johnson still on the PUP list and
Sebastian Joseph-Day working his way back from a quad contusion, LA’s
depth along the defensive line has already been tested. Veteran Nick
Williams and younger players Christopher Hinton and David Moa have taken
first-team reps over the last week.

Moa, in particular, has made an impression in Joseph-Day’s absence, and
carrying that momentum into the preseason could leapfrog him over
Williams and Hinton for a possible roster spot. But Hinton flashed in
game action last season, so getting back into live reps may also be the
best thing for his stock.

Running back

Joshua Kelley seems to be out in front for the RB2 role, but second-year
pro Isaiah Spiller has shown signs of development throughout camp. Both
players look improved and have made several plays in practice. That puts
the Chargers in a similar position as last year when game action was one
of the difference makers in the competition.

Last season, Kelley outran Spiller on his way to the RB2 role and showed
more value on special teams than the rookie. That ultimately led to
Spiller tumbling further down the depth chart, as Larry Rountree was
elevated to the active gameday roster for special teams early in the season.

Spiller will need to show progress as a runner and receiver to make
headway toward becoming Austin Ekeler’s primary backup. Special teams
will also play a large part – thus far in camp, Kelley has taken the
first-team reps on punt and kick return units.

Guard

Time is ticking for Brenden Jaimes, who has fallen behind rookie Jordan
McFadden and veteran Zack Bailey in the race for a backup guard
position. Bailey has also needed to fill in at right tackle at times due
to injuries on the exterior, but that flexibility will only endear him
to the Chargers more. McFadden, the team’s fifth-round pick in April, is
likely a lock to make the team due to his draft status.

That leaves Jaimes as the odd man out as of right now, so he’ll need to
put together a solid preseason to remain in LA’s initial roster plans.
Otherwise, landing a spot on the practice squad and using more of the
season to fight back to the 53-man roster may be Jaimes’ only recourse.
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