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9 hours ago
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The Los Angeles Chargers had a successful 2025 NFL Draft in the eyes of many fans and analysts. The additions to the roster figure to help the team contend for an AFC West title this coming season.
Along with the additions of 18 undrafted free agents, the Chargers have the roster they will take into training camp, give or take a few players here and there. Taking all of that into account, the Chargers could have several players looking to prove that they still belong in the role they have been in or in some cases, on the team at all.
Every year, players are pushed by new talent coming in as turnover rates in the NFL are always high. These four players could be in that position later this year.
Quentin Johnson, Wide Receiver
No matter how you spin it, Quentin Johnston has just not been good enough for the spot he was drafted in as a first-round pick in 2023. He caught eight touchdown passes last season but those were largely overshadowed by some horrendous drops and inconsistency.
The Chargers brought back former first-round pick, Mike Williams, in free agency, but he was inconsistent and unavailable far too often in his first stint with the team.
The second-round selection of Tre Harris could force both of these players to see a lot fewer chances in 2025.
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Derius Davis, Wide Receiver
What Harris does to push Johnston and Williams as receivers on the outside will be what Keandre Lambert-Smith does to Derius Davis as an additional option in the slot. Davis, a fourth-round pick in 2023, has just 28 career receptions and Lambert-Smith could easily duplicate and far exceed those numbers in the future.
Tony Jefferson, Safety
Tony Jefferson unretired last season and ended up playing in some games for the Chargers, though he did not make the initial 53-man roster. Now one year older, he'll have to fend off some young players to hold onto his roster spot and sixth-round pick R.J. Mickens could easily push him back to looking for a new team.
Defensive line starters
Whoever they may be. The Chargers went into the draft needing more help on the defensive line and the third-round selection of Jamaree Caldwell went in the right direction to do that.
Caldwell could easily open the season as one of the starting defensive linemen, meaning he's going to take someone's starting job. Who that is remains to be seen. If the season started now, the Chargers would probably open with Da'Shawn Hand, Otito Ogbinnia and Teair Tart. The addition of Caldwell helps mask the tough loss to free agency of Poona Ford.
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