After an offseason of retooling the roster, the Chargers are ready to hit the field for training camp which is slated to begin this week, Wednesday, July 27.
There are a few key spots yet to be filled, and the same goes for a few at the bottom of the depth chart at various positions.
With that being said, here are six positional battles for Chargers fans to keep an eye on this summer:
Second running back
AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
Since Melvin Gordon’s departure, the Chargers have struggled to establish the RB2 role behind Austin Ekeler.
Justin Jackson seemed prime for the job, but he couldn’t stay on the field due to injuries. Meanwhile, Larry Rountree III and Joshua Kelley produced substandard results, averaging 2.4 and 3.1 yards per carry, respectively, in 2021.
In an effort to get it right this time, Los Angeles selected Isaiah Spiller in the fourth round of this year’s draft. Spiller is big, physical and elusive as a runner and also has value in the passing game, catching 74 passes at Texas A&M.
Spiller must show he can translate his game to the pro level, while Rountree and Kelley will have to show improvement and more consistency to vie for the role.
Starting right tackle
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From left to right, four of the starting spots are filled. Rashawn Slater starts at left tackle. Matt Feiler starts at left guard. Corey Linsley is at center. And Zion Johnson, the rookie first-round pick, is at right guard.
The right tackle spot will be a battle between Trey Pipkins and Storm Norton.
Pipkins played well in his two starts in 2021, including a game against the Chiefs, and has spent this offseason working with highly touted offensive line developer Duke Manyweather. Norton was the starter last season and had his fair share of struggles, allowing 60 pressures and nine sacks.
Whichever player loses this battle will serve as the swing tackle.
Starting fullback
AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
The Chargers have been looking for a reliable fullback since Derek Watt, who signed with the Steelers after the 2020 season.
They thought they had that with Gabe Nabers, an undrafted free agent that same year. But the team may want to go a different direction after drafting Zander Horvath in the seventh round.
Horvath’s athleticism and strength show up on the football field in different areas, as he can make an impact as a runner,…
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