Listed here are three key place battles to observe when coaching camp opens on July 23.
No. 1 Vast receiver
Projected Starter: Joshua Palmer
Participant(s) to observe: Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston
To avoid wasting cap house, the Chargers dealt six-time Professional Bowler Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears this offseason.
Fourth-year pass-catcher Palmer is strong however has but to show he generally is a No. 1 possibility. In his first three seasons with Los Angeles, he registered 143 receptions for 1,703 yards and 9 TD catches.
Johnston — the twenty first general decide of the 2023 NFL Draft — not too long ago informed ESPN’s Kris Rhim he is “due for a breakout” beneath Harbaugh. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old had 38 receptions for 481 yards and two receiving TDs in 17 video games final season.
Do not be stunned if McConkey turns into Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert’s favourite goal. At minicamp, Herbert stated the rookie wideout already appears to be like like a veteran, and he “[looks] ahead to getting him the ball.”
Proper sort out
Projected starter: Joe Alt
Participant to observe: Trey Pipkins III
It is truthful to wonder if the Chargers remorse giving Pipkins a three-year, $21.75M deal in 2023. Per Professional Soccer Focus, the 27-year-old tied for fourth within the league in sacks allowed (9 in 17 video games) final season. He additionally surrendered a career-high 49 pressures.
The Chargers took Alt—the son of former Professional Bowl lineman John—with the fifth general decide of the 2024 NFL Draft. He must transfer from the left facet of the O-line to the suitable facet, however that should not be a large adjustment for the 2023 first-team All-American.
After the draft, Harbaugh indicated he would give Pipkins loads of alternatives to maintain his job, telling The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, “he is considered one of our 5 finest linemen.” Nevertheless, Alt will seemingly exchange him. Over the previous two seasons at Notre Dame, he allowed one sack.
Working again
Projected starter: Gus Edwards
Participant(s) to observe: J.Ok. Dobbins, Kimani Vidal
Former Chargers operating again Austin Ekeler signed a two-year, $8.43M cope with the Washington Commanders in free company, so L.A. introduced in Dobbins and Edwards as potential replacements.
Edwards tied for fifth within the league in dashing TDs (13) in 17 video games with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 however averaged a career-low 4.1 yards per carry.
Dobbins, who averaged 5.8 yards per carry in 4 seasons with Baltimore, is extra explosive than Edwards, however he has sturdiness points. The 25-year-old tore his ACL in 2021 and suffered an Achilles tear in 2023.
Vidal — a sixth-round select of Troy — is a possible steal. He rushed for 1,661 yards and 14 TDs on 297 carries in 14 video games. CBS Sports activities’ Tyler Sullivan tabbed him as an under-the-radar participant who may very well be a star in 2024.
