Chargers Name Kayode Awosika Starting LG

Awosika, 27, beat out Trey Pipkins in a training camp battle that initially featured five competitors. Second-round pick Jake Slaughter moved back to his natural position after a season-ending injury to Tyler Biadasz, and Trevor Penning and Branson Taylor both fell back during the preseason.

Interestingly, Awosika lined up at right guard in the Chargers’ first warm-up game, an indication he was further back in the left guard race. But he earned a 90.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) with an 85.5 run blocking grade and zero pressures allowed on nine pass blocking snaps. That got him in the mix at left guard in the next two contests, and while he was not as impactful in the run game, he continued to shut out opposing pass rushers.

But Awosika’s history against regular-season competition is not as encouraging. He allowed three sacks in his four starts at left guard for the Lions last year and was inconsistent as a run blocker. But he has clearly earned the faith of Harbaugh and Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Awosika is not the typical fleet-footed lineman that McDaniel prefers in his wide zone scheme, but Los Angeles may be prioritizing his pass protection in front of Justin Herbert.

Pipkins will remain as the Chargers’ swing tackle, though fourth-round pick Travis Burke made a push for that job in camp. He could overtake Pipkins, who is due a non-guaranteed $5MM next year (via OverTheCap), by season’s end.