Ranking Chargers’ rookies by potential 2022 impact
With training camp set to start on July 27th, Chargers fans will soon get a true first look at the 2022 rookie class, which features at least one full-time starter in first-round guard, Zion Johnson. Meanwhile, the rest of the class will battle for rotational snaps throughout July and August.
Here’s a quick overview of the entire draft class, with players ranked by their potential impact as rookies.
1. G Zion Johnson
As mentioned in the introduction, Johnson is already cemented as a starter. Part of the reason for that is the lack of talent opposing him in a competition, but part of it is that Johnson has the talent to be an impact player right away. He may not get off to a scorching start the way 2021 first rounder Rashawn Slater did at left tackle, but Johnson also has the unenviable task of creating chemistry with both Trey Pipkins and Storm Norton during training camp as their battle for the right tackle spot unfolds. Matt Feiler’s presence a year ago has been cited as a big reason Slater’s transition to the NFL went so smoothly, and Johnson will not have that benefit (although center Corey Linsley is a top-tier running mate on the other side). Even so, the expectations will be high for the Boston College product, and early returns from OTAs suggest he’ll be up to the challenge.
2. RB Isaiah Spiller
Despite being the Chargers’ third pick of the draft, Spiller clocks in second here because of how wide-open the competition for touches is behind Austin Ekeler. It’s a situation that’s been discussed at length this offseason: Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree have struggled, Spiller was billed as a top back in this draft before ultimately falling to the 4th round, etc. OTAs didn’t give us much in the way of definitive rankings between the three of them, which means training camp will be all-important in determining what exactly Spiller’s role will be. If he performs well, Ekeler could finally have the running mate LA has been searching for since Melvin Gordon left in free agency after the 2019 season.
3. S JT Woods
Many people were surprised to hear Woods’ name called as early as it was when the Chargers picked him up in the third round, which seems to suggest they have big plans for him. As a rookie, I’d guess his primary role is going to be backfilling Derwin James’ safety spot when the All-Pro moves to dime backer or into the slot. However, he’ll first have to prove he’s more capable in that role than Alohi Gilman. Woods will also be valuable injury insurance if James or Nasir Adderley is forced to miss time, which represents a massive upgrade on the razor-thin group the Chargers put on the field in 2021 when similar issues struck them. With a 4.36 40, expect him to also make an impact on special teams right away.
4. FB Zander Horvath
It may seem ambitious to name a fullback drafted with the team’s last pick of the cycle in the top half of these impact ratings, especially when he’s still facing a competition with incumbent Gabe Nabers to make the team. But teams rarely draft fullbacks unless they have a vision for them, and Horvath profiles as an immediate impact player on special teams, an area where Nabers has been serviceable but not a standout. Daniel Popper of The Athletic also believes that the fullback spot is Horvath’s to lose heading into training camp. With his background as a running back at Purdue, Horvath may also get a few goal-line touches if the bruiser-type running backs continue to struggle this season.
5. DL Otito Ogbonnia
We’ve entered primary backup territory, as Ogbonnia will likely be a rotational player at best with the likes of Morgan Fox and Jerry Tillery soaking up most of the snaps at 5-tech. It’s possible that Tillery ends up as a surprise cut or trade before the season starts, but I think it’s more likely that he makes the roster and plays out his rookie contract before leaving in free agency next offseason. Fox wasn’t a huge impact player in Carolina, but performed much better with the Rams, when he was in the same defensive system as the Chargers’ current one. It’s a testament to how improved the defensive line is that Ogbonnia won’t be playing a lion’s share of the snaps, but it also means that the fifth-rounder likely won’t make a significant impact as a rookie. Considering he’s just 21 this season, with Tillery and Fox on expiring contracts, year two may be his chance to shine.
6. CB Ja’Sir Taylor
Popper has Taylor making the roster as LA’s fifth corner as of right now, citing his inside/outside flexibility and special teams upside. I tend to agree, although the competition on the back end of the roster between Taylor, Deane Leonard, Tevaughn Campbell, and Kemon Hall will be a fierce one. The former Demon Deacon has an unreal amount of college experience under his belt, with 62 career games played over 5 seasons at Wake Forest. That seasoning could be enough to take him over the top. With an elite speed grade and experience as a returner, Taylor should be one of the favorites at gunner as well.
7. OL Jamaree Salyer
I was a huge fan of Salyer coming into the draft, primarily because of his ability to play all five spots along the offensive line. For a brief while, people theorized that he may even be in the mix for a starting spot if Matt Feiler moved to right tackle to quash the battle between Norton and Pipkins. With Feiler staying at guard, it’s more likely that Salyer is the team’s primary backup there, with the loser of the right tackle competition serving as the swing tackle and free-agent pickup Will Clapp backing up Corey Linsley at center. With that hierarchy all but established heading into training camp, Chargers fans should almost hope that Salyer’s impact is low. Because if he is asked to be a high-impact player as a rookie, it likely means that one of Feiler or Zion Johnson have gone down with injury.
8. CB Deane Leonard
Leonard still faces a bit of an uphill battle to make the roster, although he was making plays left and right in OTAs. Carrying that momentum into training camp could be enough to catapult him over Taylor, Campbell, and Hall for that CB5 spot, but I think it’s more likely he becomes a priority practice squad addition. Leonard is a bit more of an unknown than Taylor, simply because the former played three seasons at Calgary in Canada before transferring to Mississippi. While the game has grown tremendously in recent years north of the border, adjusting to the level of competition in the NFL may take an extra year or two for Leonard, and that’s okay! Luckily, the Chargers aren’t in a position where they need to ask him to contribute right away.
