5 Chargers players who need a good training camp
Here are a few players who need a good training camp to keep their future in Los Angeles this season and beyond.
RB Hassan Haskins
Haskins was LA's short yardage back and supplementary kick returner next to Derius Davis last season, but didn't have a particularly effective season on the ground. With 2024 sixth-rounder Kimani Vidal serving a different role as a receiving back and Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris both capable of taking short yardage opportunities, Haskins could very well find himself as RB4 and on the roster bubble by the time the preseason gets going in earnest. Jaret Patterson, who was on the Chargers practice squad last season, and highly touted UDFA Raheim Sanders loom as threats to snag that job away from the Michigan alum.
WR Quentin Johnston
Johnston is penciled in as Los Angeles' starter at the Z receiver position, but the Chargers may need to get creative early in camp with Mike Williams on PUP and Tre Harris yet to sign his rookie contract due to a leaguewide bottleneck regarding guarantee structure. There aren't many other candidates to practice in the X role, where Johnston played last season, but fifth-rounder KeAndre Lambert-Smith and veteran Jalen Reagor could fill in at Z. No matter where he lines up, however, Johnston will need to show continued progress after a sophomore season that was an improvement, but still below the expectation of a former first-round pick.
DL/FB Scott Matlock
While Matlock's utility on both sides of the ball is a nice novelty, there's going to be plenty of competition on both sides of the ball for his spots. Tight end Tucker Fisk is already part of the jumbo package as well, but the Chargers seem to be excited about what UDFA Stevo Klotz might bring when the pads come on tomorrow. On defense, Matlock is the fifth or sixth defensive lineman in the rotation at best and will be competing for time with Justin Eboigbe and Naquan Jones, with likely only a maximum of six roster spots available.
CB Ja'Sir Taylor
Taylor looked like he was poised to be a massive success story after winning the starting slot corner job as a sixth-round rookie two season ago, but he struggled to maintain that level of play last season. With the emergence of Tarheeb Still as a rookie last year and Derwin James playing so much time in the slot, Taylor is suddenly on the fringe of the roster and needs to rebound in training camp to fend off seventh-rounder Trikweze Bridges for the final roster spot at cornerback.
S Tony Jefferson
Jefferson was another nice storyline to track this time last year, as the veteran came out of retirement to come back home and compete for a spot at safety. While the Chargers started him on the practice squad last season, Jefferson ended up playing in 8 games and started 4 due to injuries to Alohi Gilman and Elijah Molden. Both are now healthy alongside James and the Chargers added sixth-rounder RJ Mickens in the draft. To keep the momentum going, Jefferson will likely need to either outduel the rookie or work his way up from the practice squad again, which would require boxing out younger options like Kendall Williamson, Emany Johnson, and Jaylen Jones.
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