The Los Angeles Chargers refuel playoff chatter once again heading into NFL Training Camp. Head coach Jim Harbaugh adding Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator adds to the intrigue.
The former Miami Dolphins head coach can reignite this Bolts offense. But how loaded is this roster? Especially outside of Justin Herbert?
Turning to a rating system featuring a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest), here are the ratings for each position.
Quarterback
Players: Justin Herbert, Trey Lance, DJ Uiagalelei
Rating: 9
The only thing to worry about here is Herbert’s postseason resume and if it’ll ever add a win.
But he’s fresh off returning to the Pro Bowl and now has McDaniel in his corner. Former top three NFL Draft pick Trey Lance adds a valuable backup who also knows McDaniel’s system well from his San Francisco 49ers days.
Uiagalelei has flashed in the postseason. He also brings a local following as he starred for St. John Bosco High in Bellflower plus is from Chino Hills.
Running back
Players: Omarion Hampton, Gregory Desrosiers, Amar Johnson, Keaton Mitchell, Jaret Patterson, Kimani Vidal, Alec Ingold, Scott Matlock
Rating: 6
Let the Omarion Hampton era begin. Hampton flashed potential in averaging 4.4 yards per carry before getting hit with injuries. But look for him to rise as Harbaugh and McDaniel’s bell cow back with newly added past Pro Bowler Alec Ingold hammering away as lead blocker.
Except the OC’s system is designed for another RB to break out. Kimani Vidal surfaces as the RB2 contender after delivering career-best numbers compared to his 2024 rookie season.
But Keaton Mitchell adds speed and experience via the Baltimore Ravens, especially after averaging 5.8 yards a carry. Amar Johnson and Gregory Desrosiers came to the league undrafted (the former in 2025). Patterson delivered 159 yards last season. But again, all eyes will be on Hampton and if he scales past 1,000 yards for the first time in his career.
Tight end
Players: David Njoku, Evan Svoboda, Johnny Pascuzzi, Charlie Kolar, Oronde Gadsen, Jerand Bradley
Rating: 8
The arrival of Njoku boosts this unit significantly. Plus hands the Chargers their most intriguing TE weapon since Antonio Gates.
Njoku creates even more 12 personnel looks for Harbaugh/McDaniel, as Oronde Gadsen returns. He’s fresh off catching 49 passes for 664 yards and three touchdowns.
Tyler Conklin and Will Dissly are no longer in the picture, with the former landing with the Detroit Lions. Charlie Kolar adds experience in the room via the Baltimore Ravens and can present 13 personnel looks. Evan Svoboda and Jerand Bradley arrive undrafted and will earn chances to make the roster during the preseason. But this is an improved unit thanks to Njoku coming over.
Wide receiver
Players: Sincere Brown, Dalevon Campbell, Derius Davis, Luke Grimm, Tre Harris, JaQuae Jackson, Quentin Johnston, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Ladd McConkey, Devonte Ross
Rating: 9
This is the deepest and most talented skill position on the offensive side. Scary part is this group could be even more explosive with the change in offense to McDaniel.
Ladd McConkey’s numbers dipped last season but he now plays in an offense that unleashed Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. Quentin Johnston flipped from potential draft bust to producing eight touchdowns the last two seasons.
Tre Harris should see more targets too after catching 30 passes in his debut. But there’s going to be no drop off here even with lead wideout Keenan Allen still out there in free agency.
Offensive tackle
Players: Joe Alt, Travis Burke, Trey Pipkins III, Rashawn Slater, Laekin Vakalahi, Isaiah World
Rating: 7
Tackle feels like an elite unit. Except this spot delivers difficulty in staying healthy.
Sacks start to pileup when Alt and Slater aren’t on the field. They’re an imposing tandem together and the Chargers offense performs so much better with both.
The addition of the 6-foot-8 World brings intrigue, though, as a depth option.
Guard
Players: Kayode Awosika, Ben Cleveland, Alex Harkey, Cole Strange, Brandon Taylor, Logan Taylor
Rating: 7
Guard is one more unit undergoing a transition period. Cleveland was another ex-Raven who came to boost a needed spot.
Now Cole Strange comes in to show the Bolts guards the McDaniel blocking schemes.
Center
Players: Tyler Biadasz, Josh Kaltenberger, Jacob Spomer
Rating: 7
Biadasz surfaces as the next new interior addition. His strength is run blocking, which should bode well for the OC and head coach.
Kaltenberger stuck around the roster after going undrafted. He and Spomer battle for backup center duties.
Edge rusher
Players: Bud Dupree, Kyle Kennard, Akheem Mesidor, Garmon Randolph, Nadame Tucker, Tuli Tuipulotu
Rating: 9
The first strength of the defense resides on the edge.
The former USC standout Tuipulotu has become everything the Chargers asked and more. Now he earns prized rookie Akheem Mesidor on the opposite side.
Bud Dupree is on the hot seat, though, with Mesidor’s arrival.
Defensive tackle
Players: Nick Barnett, Jamaree Caldwell, Jahmeer Carter, Justin Eboigbe, TeRah Edwards, Jacobian Guillory, Teair Tart, Dalvin Tomlinson, Terry Webb
Rating: 8
Tart plays a rather unglamorous position but has established himself as an underrated force of nature. Eboigbe piled seven tackles for a loss last season too, making him a hidden gem on this defensive line.
Caldwell piled five behind the line of scrimmage. So this interior unit is another that deserves more recognition.
Linebacker
Players: Lander Barton, Junior Colson, Troy Dye, Daiyan Henley, Emany Johnson, Denzel Perryman, Del’Shawn Phillips, Marlowe Wax
Rating: 7
Henley is a budding star as he continues to add to his tackle production. He’s posted back-to-back 100-tackle campaigns.
Perryman and Dye are two savvy veterans who add depth to the room. Johnson went from undrafted safety to converted linebacker in adding both versatility and depth here.
Safety
Players: Noah Avinger, Devin Grant, Derwin James Jr., Tony Jefferson, RJ Mickens, Myles Purchase, Genesis Smith, Kendall Williamson
Rating: 8
James sets the tone as the electric do-everything defender. Few can play downhill, blitz and single cover the way the safety does.
Jefferson forms an underrated safety pairing with the NFL All-Pro, following his four-interception and seven-pass breakup season. Williamson earns a chance to become the third safety option with Alohi Gilman off to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Cornerback
Players: Cam Hart, Donte Jackson, Nikko Reed, Eric Rogers, Rodney Shelley, Avery Smith, Tarheeb Still, Isas Wexter, Deane Leonard, Elijah Molden
Rating: 9
Jackson has grabbed nine interceptions the last two seasons, making him a diamond in the rough for the Chargers.
Molden, though, rises as the most versatile cornerback who can play the slot and perimeter. Still snatched four picks not long ago and adds a third proven ball-hawk here. Hart, though, is the big CB best known for swatting 11 passes last season.
Specialists
Players: Cameron Dicker, Peter Bowden, Josh Harris, JK Scott, Derius Davis
Rating: 6
“Dicker the Kicker” leads this unit and comes fresh off his first Pro Bowl bid.
Harris averages more than 41 yards per punt in the last four years. Davis handles return duties and eats up more than 25 yards per kick. But the team struggles in kick and punt coverage, making this a polarizing unit.
The Los Angeles Chargers refuel playoff chatter once again heading into NFL Training Camp. Head coach Jim Harbaugh adding Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator adds to the intrigue. The former Miami Dolphins head coach can reignite this Bolts offense. But how loaded is this roster? Especially outside of Justin Herbert?