3 Chargers on Thin Ice Following the NFL Draft

The Los Angeles Chargers had a productive 2024 NFL Draft. Amidst all the speculation about what the Bolts were going to do, whether they were going to trade down, or which wide receiver they were going to prefer, Los Angeles added plenty of intriguing talent to its roster.

The most notable selection was obviously the No. 5 overall pick Joe Alt out of Notre Dame. Considered a reach by some, Alt was the best offensive lineman in the draft, and knowing the type of roster construction Jim Harbaugh is after, it shouldn't have been that big of a surprise.

After Alt, the Chargers had eight more draft picks which they used on positions of need like wide receiver and cornerback, as well as addressing the defensive line. This many new additions obviously increase competition on the roster and could push a couple of veterans further down or completely out of the rotation.

Let's take a look at who might be at risk of losing their jobs with the incoming rookie class.

Isaiah Spiller, RB

The Chargers completely remade their running back rotation this offseason. Parting ways with Austin Ekeler was seen as a potential opportunity for Isaiah Spiller to take on a larger role but the Bolts decided to add Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins ahead of him. Players whom the new offensive coordinator Greg Roman trusts more because of their Ravens connection, Edwards and Dobbins will get the majority of the snaps in 2024.

Plus, the Chargers used a sixth-round pick on RB Kimani Vidal out of Troy. Vidal finished second nationally in rushing with a whopping 1,661 yards in 297 carries. If he can translate any of that production to the NFL, he will have a chance to make the final roster. This would push Spiller out of the rotation, and potentially out of the 53-man roster.