5 bold predictions for Chargers training camp

While most of the Chargers' roster is set even before opening training camp on Thursday, a few aspects of the team remain up for debate with six weeks to go before their Week 1 opener against the Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Here are a few bold predictions for how those questions may be answered over the next few weeks.

Omarion Hampton doesn't give the starting job back

Najee Harris has never run for fewer than 1,000 yards in his four NFL seasons while playing in every game as a pro. But with Harris now on the Non-Football Injury list after a "superficial" eye injury caused by a fireworks incident over the 4th of July weekend. That leaves Hampton, LA's first-round pick this April, as the unquestioned RB1 to open camp. Harris is expected to be back soon, but drafting a running back in the first round in this era is an indication that you plan to play that back early and often. Harris will still have a decently big role, but Hampton is talented enough to run away with the 1A position in the committee while Harris heals up.

Quentin Johnston opens the season as a starter

The return of Mike Williams and acquisition of second-rounder Tre Harris and fifth-rounder KeAndre Lambert-Smith has many Chargers fans ready to give up on Johnston despite his improvement as a sophomore last season. But now Williams is on PUP to start camp, albeit with a minor injury that GM Joe Hortiz said wouldn't last long into camp. Harris still hasn't signed because of a leaguewide issue with guaranteed money for second-round picks. Lambert-Smith looked a step behind the pace during OTAs.

Ladd McConkey will obviously be the Chargers' top target this season, but Johnston is suddenly poised to get some valuable reps as LA's WR2 early on in training camp. If he can continue to build upon his reasonable, if still slightly disappointing, campaign last season, there's no reason why he won't open the year as a starter.

Oronde Gadsden II ends the preseason as TE2 or better

Gadsden was one of the biggest stars of OTAs, developing a quick connection with Justin Herbert and showing a vertical receiving ability that the rest of the tight end room is lacking. Neither Will Dissly or Tyler Conklin is on an expensive enough contract or has enough investment from the team that Gadsden can't pass them up for reasons other than on-field performance, either. If the rookie continues his pace from OTAs and develops as a blocker, he could find a role in two tight end sets very early on and give the Chargers an added dimension in the passing game.

Denzel Perryman keeps a starting role

Just about everybody is expecting second-year linebacker Junior Colson to take a leap with a full offseason under his belt this year after he missed time during his rookie season with an appendectomy and ankle injury. The Michigan alum also has the benefit of knowing Jesse Minter's defense inside and out from their time together in Ann Arbor. But Perryman, who started 11 games last season, was LA's best run defender and won't give up his job easily. Early in the year, don't be surprised to see Perryman on the field during first and second down, then come to the sideline for Colson to play more of a pass coverage role on third downs.

Justin Eboigbe wins a key rotational role

Poona Ford is the big name loss on the Chargers defensive line, but the departure of Morgan Fox to Atlanta also left Los Angeles without a clear starter at 5-technique, where most of the interior pass rush is expected to come from. Free agent signing Da'Shawn Hand has played that role before, but his contract suggests LA expects him to play more of a rotational role. Eboigbe hardly played as a rookie after being drafted in the fourth round last season, but the Chargers seem to privately be excited about the Alabama product's potential. He'll likely be given every shot to win that starting job, and should at the very least rotate in that role with Hand.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 5 bold predictions for Chargers training camp