Los Angeles Chargers: Early roster predictions for the 2020 season
By Samuel Teets
Offensive Linemen (9): Bryan Bulaga, Dan Feeney, Forrest Lamp, Storm Norton, Trey Pipkins, Mike Pouncey, Scott Quessenberry, Sam Tevi, Trai Turner
The Chargers overhauled their offensive line this season. The team traded Russell Okung to the Carolina Panthers for Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner. Okung dealt with serious medical issues last year, and the former Pro Bowl left tackle only appeared in six games. So, Los Angeles flipped the 32-year-old tackle for a 26-year-old guard.
While Turner missed three games in each of his past three seasons, he’s made the last five Pro Bowls. Turner isn’t an All-Pro guard, but he’s got greater upside than Okung at this point. Turner is under contract for two more seasons.
Los Angeles also signed Bryan Bulaga in free agency. The long-time Packer agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal with the Chargers in March. The right tackle spent the first nine years of his career protecting Aaron Rodgers. Bulaga does have a history of injuries. He’s only appeared in all 16 games three times. However, Bulaga is a borderline Pro Bowl tackle.
Bulaga and Turner join Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey as starters on Los Angeles’ rebuilt line. Dan Feeney should resume his role at left guard. That leaves 2019 third-round pick, Trey Pipkins, as the presumed starter at left tackle.
Los Angeles’ four backups seem fairly cemented at this point. Scott Quessenberry fills the backup center role while Forrest Lamp fills in as a backup guard. Sam Tevi, who started the past two seasons at right tackle, shifts to a backup role and Storm Norton makes a return to the NFL after a successful stint in the XFL.