Take a look at the entire Bolts roster leading into 2018 Preseason.
1 WR Justice Liggins
2 P Shane Tripucka
3 QB Geno Smith
4 K Roberto Aguayo
5 WR Nelson Spruce
6 K Caleb Sturgis
7 QB Cardale Jones
8 P Drew Kaser
9 QB Nic Shimonek
10 WR Artavis Scott
11 WR Geremy Davis
12 WR Travis Benjamin
13 WR Keenan Allen
15 WR Andre Patton
16 WR Tyrell Williams
17 QB Philip Rivers
20 CB Desmond King
24 CB Trevor Williams
25 S Rayshawn Jenkins
26 CB Casey Hayward
28 RB Melvin Gordon III
29 CB Craig Mager
30 RB Austin Ekeler
31 S Adrian Phillips
32 RB Justin Jackson
33 S Derwin James
34 FB Derek Watt
35 DB Micah Hannemann
35 RB Russell Hansbrough
36 CB Brandon Facyson
37 S Jahleel Addae
38 CB B.J. Clay
38 RB Detrez Newsome
39 DB Tony Brown
40 FB Anthony Manzo-Lewis
41 CB Marcus Edmond
41 WR Je'Ron Hamm
42 RB Terrell Watson
42 CB Channing Stribling
43 CB Michael Davis
44 LB Kyzir White
45 S A.J. Hendy
46 DE Chris Landrum
47 LS Mike Windt
48 LB Nick Dzubnar
50 ILB Hayes Pullard
51 OLB Kyle Emanuel
52 LB Denzel Perryman
53 C Mike Pouncey
54 DE Melvin Ingram III
57 OLB Jatavis Brown
58 LB Uchenna Nwosu
59 LB D'Juan Hines
61 C-G Scott Quessenberry
62 OL Chris Durant
64 C-G Cole Toner
65 OL Zack Golditch
66 G Dan Feeney
67 G Brett Boyko
68 T Trent Scott
69 T Sam Tevi
70 DL Steven Richardson
71 NT Damion Square
72 T Joe Barksdale
73 C-G Spencer Pulley
74 G Erick Wren
75 G Michael Schofield III
76 T Russell Okung
77 G Forrest Lamp
78 DT Marcus Hardison
80 TE Sean Culkin
81 WR Mike Williams
82 TE Cole Hunt
83 TE Braedon Bowman
84 WR Dylan Cantrell
87 TE Ben Johnson
88 TE Virgil Green
89 WR J.J. Jones
90 DE Whitney Richardson
91 DL Justin Jones
92 NT Brandon Mebane
93 DE Darius Philon
94 DT Corey Liuget
95 DL Bijhon Jackson
96 LB Kyle Coleman
97 DE Patrick Afriyie
98 DE Isaac Rochell
99 DE Joey Bosa
As we near the start of training camp on July 28, we'll preview each position for the Los Angeles Chargers. We continue with the tight ends.
Previous Previews
Virgil Green – Primarily known for his prowess as a blocker, Green is the only tight end on the roster with an NFL reception on his resume. The seven-year veteran spent his entire career with the Denver Broncos before inking a three-year deal with the Bolts in March. That signing was critical, especially after Hunter Henry went down with an ACL injury in May. The 6-5, 255-pound Green has caught 71 career receptions for 807 yards and four touchdowns in 100 career games. Green's most productive season came in 2016, when he set career-highs in receptions (22) and yards (237). He started all 16 games a year ago, catching 14 passes for 191 yards and one TD.
Sean Culkin – An undrafted free agent in 2017, Culkin was so impressive in training camp and the preseason that he earned his way onto the 53-man roster. However, he was inactive in all but two games, spending most of the year refining his game on the practice field. The Bolts are counting on the hulking 6-5, 225-pounder to play a meaningful role in 2018, and training camp will give us a glimpse at just how far he's come.
Braedon Bowman – Bowman spent nearly all of last season on the practice squad after spending the 2017 offseason with the New Orleans Saints. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent of the New York Jets in 2016, appearing in three games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Bowman has all the tools to be a successful tight end, and this will be the first glimpse fans will have to see the 6-2, 240-pounder in person.
Cole Hunt – The Chargers inked Hunt shortly after the draft ended, coveting the massive 6-7, 255-pound tight end. An honorable mention All-Big 12 pick a year ago, the TCU star is another tight end primarily known for his blocking abilities. He appeared in 27 career games with 17 starts at TCU, catching 12 passes for 124 yards.
Ben Johnson – The Kansas star signed with the Chargers after an impressive senior season with the Jayhawks. Johnson caught a career-best 30 passes for 363 yards last season, ending his collegiate career with 61 catches for 670 yards in 45 games.
Austin Roberts – An athletic product out of UCLA, Roberts signed with the Bolts as an undrafted free agent in late May. The 6-2, 230-pound tight end is known for his pass-catching prowess. He appeared in 10 games with three starts a year ago for the Bruins, catching 19 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns. Overall, he played in 24 career games over three seasons at UCLA, totaling 35 receptions for 500 yards and three TDs.
We're Keeping Our Eye On…
Ricky Henne: This unit was already under a microscope during the offseason program following Hunter Henry's injury, but the scrutiny will be tenfold in training camp and preseason play. One tight end who stood out in the spring was Braedon Bowman, so I want to see how he handles himself when the pads come on. The tight end position is so physically demanding that it's difficult to accurately evaluate them in shells and shorts. Bowman certainly looks the part, and now it's time to see if he can be the all-around tight end the team hopes he can be.
Hayley Elwood: Get your popcorn ready because this is the battle to watch during training camp. While eyes will be on pretty much all the tight ends to see who will step up, I'm looking to see what Sean Culkin will do in his second year as a Charger. As an undrafted free agent, Culkin made the 53-man roster last season but was only active for two games. He certainly looks the part at TE, but can he capitalize on what he learned after spending a year in the Bolts' system and build on that in 2018? We'll find out.
Chris Hayre: Virgil Green is primarily known for his blocking, but his ability as a pass catcher is underrated. The eight-year veteran has never had more than 37 targets in a season. Though opportunities were limited in Denver, Green still had a reception of over 30 yards in each of his last four years in the league. Now with a new team, it's possible that he may have a new, expanded role in L.A.
