Chargers face key questions on OL ahead of season with big expectations

The first step of Year 3 of the Jim Harbaugh-led Chargers officially opens Tuesday.The opening of training camp kicks off a season filled with huge expectations and a handful of important questions.Here are some things to focus on as the Chargers open camp:In the running: Jake Slaughter, Trevor Penning, Kayode AwosikaThe interior of the Chargers’ offensive line will look completely different this year compared with last season, with all three starters no longer on the roster.Cole Strange and Tyler Biadasz appear set at right guard and center, respectively, but left guard is wide open.Slaughter, a second-round pick from Florida, primarily played center in college and could be the Chargers’ long-term answer at that spot.

But there is a reason why they listed him as a guard on draft night, and in an ideal world he makes a seamless transition and locks that spot down out of camp.If not, Penning and Awosika have 83 combined NFL starts between them, and one should at least be able to provide serviceable play.In the running: Tony Jefferson, RJ Mickens, Genesis SmithWith Derwin James the ultimate chess piece able to line up all over the field, the Chargers often field a defense featuring three safeties.Veteran Elijah Molden appears safe as a starter alongside James, but it’s wide open for the other job.Jefferson and Mickens are reliable players who will likely see the field depending on the situation and alignment.

But Smith, a rookie fourth-round pick, is the wild card here after impressing throughout the offseason.In the running: Oronde Gadsden II, David Njoku, Charlie KolarGadsden II was a revelation as a rookie fifth-rounder last year, coming up with 49 catches for 664 yards.The chemistry he built with Justin Herbert bodes well for the future, and he is firmly positioned for an even bigger season.Injuries have derailed Njoku the last couple of years, but he isn’t too far removed from an 81-catch season and a full slate of games.Kolar is an excellent blocker a...