COSTA MESA, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Chargers could have three new starters along the offensive line when the NFL season opens. Here’s a starting lineup projection:
Offense
Quarterback (Philip Rivers): The North Carolina State product is attempting to rebound from a season in which he threw a career-high 21 interceptions. Even with the turnovers, Rivers finished with 4,386 passing yards and 33 touchdown passes last season, serving as an injury replacement in the Pro Bowl. Curbing turnovers was a point of emphasis during offseason work for Rivers.
Tailback (Melvin Gordon): He missed reaching the 1,000-yard mark by 3 yards, sitting out the final three games of the 2016 season due to knee and hip issues. Gordon should benefit from a more balanced offense in 2017.
Wide receiver (Keenan Allen): The Cal product has the ability to record over 100 catches in a season but has to prove that he can stay healthy for a full season, something Allen’s done only once in his four-year NFL career.
Wide receiver (Tyrell Williams): An undrafted rookie out of Western Oregon in 2016, Williams is out to prove his 1,059 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season were no fluke.
Tight end (Antonio Gates): The 36-year-old veteran is one touchdown away from breaking Tony Gonzalez's record for career touchdowns catches for tight ends of 111. Gates should benefit from a healthy Allen with better matchups in the slot.
Tight end (Hunter Henry): The Arkansas product is ready to take on a larger role in the offense for the Chargers after totaling eight receiving touchdowns as a rookie.
Left tackle (Russell Okung): The former Denver Broncos offensive tackle should be an upgrade at this position in place of King Dunlap. However, Okung has to prove he can play a full, 16-game season, something he’s done only once in his seven-year NFL career.
Left guard (Matt Slauson): Moving back to his more natural guard position should benefit Slauson, who played the most snaps of any offensive lineman for the Chargers last season, serving as the team’s center.
Center (Spencer Pulley): The undrafted rookie out of Vanderbilt was a surprise addition to the final roster last season, playing 163 snaps at guard and 44 snaps at center. Now he’ll get a chance to earn a starting job heading into training camp.
Right guard (Forrest Lamp): The Western Kentucky product should provide an upgrade here over D.J. Fluker, but he still has to battle Kenny Wiggins for the starting job.
Right tackle (Joe Barksdale): He’s looking for a bounce-back season after finishing with a team-high seven penalties in 2016.
Defense
Defensive end (Joey Bosa): It will be interesting to see what the Ohio State product does for an encore in 2017 after totaling 10.5 sacks in 12 games as a rookie.
Defensive end (Melvin Ingram): Designated with the franchise tag earlier this year, Ingram will have to prove he’s worth the five-year, $66 million deal the Chargers signed him to.
Defensive tackle (Brandon Mebane): At 31 years old, Mebane remains one of the best run-stuffing nose tackles in the NFL, serving as a veteran leader for this young defense.
Defensive tackle (Corey Liuget): He finished without a sack in 2016 for the first time in his six-year career. However, Liuget is in better shape and looking for better results in the upcoming season.
Weakside linebacker (Jatavis Brown): A fifth-round selection out of Akron last year, Brown led the Chargers in tackles with 70 his rookie season. Brown also flashed playmaking ability, recording 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Middle linebacker (Denzel Perryman): The Miami product takes over as the defensive playcaller in his third NFL season and is a thumper in the run game.
Strongside linebacker (Kyle Emanuel): The North Dakota State product’s strength is playing the run. He’ll get a chance to play for defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, also a North Dakota State product.
Cornerback (Casey Hayward): Leading the league in interceptions a year ago with seven, Hayward earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl and is looking to cement his status as one of the best corners in the NFL in 2017.
Cornerback (Jason Verrett): The TCU product gives the Chargers one of the best cornerback duos in the league if he can stay healthy. Verrett has missed 24 games in three NFL seasons.
Strong safety (Jahleel Addae): He signed a four-year, $22.5 million deal this offseason and will serve as the leader in the back end for the Chargers defensively.
Free safety (Dwight Lowery): The 10-year veteran led the Chargers in snaps defensively last season with 961 and should show improvement in his second season with the franchise.
Special teams
Kicker (Josh Lambo): The Texas A&M product led the league in touchbacks last season with 67, but he also had four kicks blocked and sailed four kickoffs out of bounds.
Punter (Drew Kaser): Although inconsistent at times his rookie season, Kaser finished tied for 10th in the NFL, averaging 46.3 yards per punt, including 18 downed inside the 20-yard line.
Long-snapper (Mike Windt): Entering his eighth season with the Chargers, Windt is the highest paid at his position this season, earning $1.52 million in 2017.