SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Chargers open training camp on July 30 at Chargers Park in San Diego, California. Here's a starting-lineup projection:
Offense
Quarterback (Philip Rivers): With 41,447 career passing yards, Rivers needs 1,594 more yards in 2016 to surpass Dan Fouts (43,040) as the franchise's passing leader.
Running back (Melvin Gordon): The Wisconsin product finished with six runs of at least 20 yards in 2015, tied for 10th in the NFL.
Receiver (Keenan Allen): If he stays healthy, Allen should finished as San Diego's most targeted receiver in 2016.
Receiver (Travis Benjamin): The University of Miami product will add speed as a vertical threat on offense and in the punt-return game.
Receiver (Stevie Johnson): Like Allen, the key for Johnson is staying on the field. Johnson has not played a full, 16-game season since 2012.
Tight end (Antonio Gates): He needs seven more TD catches to surpass Tony Gonzalez (111) for first all-time among tight ends in NFL history.
Left tackle (King Dunlap): Missed nine games last season because of concussions and an ankle injury.
Right tackle (Joe Barksdale): The only offensive lineman to start all 16 games for the Chargers in 2015.
Left guard (Orlando Franklin): Focused on keeping his weight down and improved flexibility to stay on the field in 2016.
Right guard (D.J. Fluker): Should be more comfortable and play better in his second season after moving from tackle to guard.
Center (Matt Slauson): The Nebraska native brings a veteran presence and adds stability as the anchor of the offensive line at center.
Defense
Defensive end (Joey Bosa): Rookie out of Ohio State will be counted on to start and make an impact, but he needs to get his deal done and report to camp on time.
Defensive end (Corey Liuget): Chargers expect more impact plays from Liuget in his sixth season.
Nose tackle (Brandon Mebane): Former Seattle Seahawk is expected to help improve a run defense that was one of the worst in the NFL last season.
Outside linebacker (Melvin Ingram): Finished with 10.5 sacks last season, the first time since 2011 that a San Diego player totaled double-digit sacks in a full season.
Outside linebacker (Jeremiah Attaochu): Finished 2015 second on the team in sacks (6), tackles for loss (16) and quarterback hits (24).
Inside linebacker (Manti Te'o): Led the team in combined tackles last season with 83, making him the first player not named Eric Weddle to do that since 2011.
Inside linebacker (Denzel Perryman): He topped the Chargers with 64 solo tackles as a rookie in 2015.
Cornerback (Jason Verrett): The TCU product earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl after an impressive second season, leading the team with three interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
Cornerback (Brandon Flowers): Looking for a bounce-back year after an uneven, injury-marred season in 2015.
Safety (Jahleel Addae): In his second season as a starter, Addae is focused on creating more turnovers.
Safety (Dwight Lowery): Entering his ninth NFL season, Lowery is penciled in to replace the talented Weddle.
Special teams
Kicker (Josh Lambo): The undrafted rookie proved he belonged last season, but has to develop more consistency on kickoffs.
Punter: (Drew Kaser): A sixth-round selection in this year's draft out of Texas A&M, Kaser is slated to replace former longtime San Diego punter Mike Scifres.
Long snapper (Mike Windt): He has been San Diego's long snapper since 2010 and hasn't missed a game in three seasons.
