3 Chargers Rookies Who Won't Make the 53-Man Roster

With the 2024 NFL preseason coming to an end later this week, all 32 teams will begin the arduous process of cutting their 90-man training camp rosters down to 53 players as they get ready for the start of the 2024 regular season.

Across the league, there will be a lot of veterans and rookies, who will be cut and have a chance to make the practice squad. However, for other rookies, it could be the end of their NFL journey as they look to pursue other football opportunities.

The Los Angeles Chargers have a few rookies from this year’s class, who may be on the roster bubble due to their performances in the preseason. The Chargers took nine players in the 2024 NFL Draft, with Joe Alt and Ladd McConkey being the headliners.

However, Alt and McConkey don’t have to worry about their spots on the roster as the Chargers view them as building blocks for the future. Meanwhile, the players taken on Day 3, might not be so fortunate.

Below, we’ll highlight the three rookies who won’t be on the 53-man roster and discuss their chances to make the practice squad.

1. Cornelius Johnson

The Chargers emphasized the wide receiver position in the 2024 draft in April after parting ways with veterans Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

Los Angeles took Ladd McConkey at the top of the second round and then in the seventh round took Brendan Rice and Cornelius Johnson.

The Chargers’ selection of Johnson in the seventh round didn’t surprise fans. The young wide receiver was coached by Jim Harbaugh at the University of Michigan. In his final year with the Wolverines, Johnson had 47 receptions for 604 yards and a touchdown.

However, the 6-foot-3 wide receiver has struggled to make a good impression in the preseason and could be getting a one-way ticket to the practice squad.

In Los Angeles’ last preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams, Johnson had no catches and two targets despite playing 15 offensive snaps. Granted, the Chargers’ QB play hasn’t been spectacular in the preseason, but the rookie wideout hasn’t done his part to stand out on the field.

As a matter of fact, Johnson had one of the lowest PFF grades on offense (37.2). The other players with lower grades in Saturday’s game were Easton Stick (29.8) and Luke Benson (29.5).

Nevertheless, the former Michigan receiver has one more chance to make an impression on the coaching staff this week against the Dallas Cowboys. However, it won’t be easy with guys like Simi Fehoko pushing to get on the 53-man roster.