Chargers late-round pick has already locked himself into a roster spot

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith is blowing expectations out of the water.

The Los Angeles Chargers made strides to improve the wide receiver position this offseason, bringing back Mike Williams in free agency and then using a second-round pick to select Tre Harris out of Ole Miss. 

While Harris was a bit late to report to the team after a short holdout and Mike Williams abruptly retired, fifth-round pick KeAndre Lambert-Smith has gone from a guy many thought would be fighting for a roster spot to one who not only looks like a lock to make the team but also be a regular contributor as a rookie. 

Lambert-Smith has been red hot in training camp, and he parlayed that into a nice showing in the preseason opener, the Hall of Fame Game against the Detroit Lions. Lambert-Smith was not just a guy running through the motions of the preseason on Thursday night; he was a guy Chargers quarterback Trey Lance was looking for when he needed a play. 

Lambert-Smith figured to be a back-of-the-roster player the team could use in the slot if he made the roster at all. But he has shown in camp that he could be a player the team uses everywhere, particularly a team that seems to have many questions at the wide receiver position. 

Ladd McConkey is fantastic, and the hopes are high for Harris. But Quentin Johnston still leaves a lot to be desired and Derius Davis has only shown short flashes in his young career. 

The preseason could not be going any better than it has for Lambert-Smith and as a result, there should be absolutely no way he doesn't make the 53-man roster. 

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Category: Football