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At a baseline, this leaves both Lambert-Smith and rookie receiver Brenen Thompson without a path to significant snaps in McDaniel's offense.
The good news (for both players) is that McDaniel likes to make use of all of the weapons in his arsenal. … Thompson and Lambert-Smith will, at the very least, be used sporadically as downfield threats to help stretch the defense vertically. The problem for Lambert-Smith is that, right now, Thompson has a clearer path to claiming that role. … Thompson has the versatility to play out of the slot— not to mention his blazing speed that has evidently appealed to McDaniel since the pre-draft process.
He should, theoretically, be able to expand upon the 12 targets and five receptions he saw last season in Greg Roman's limited passing scheme. But with Brenen Thompson in the mix and Tre' Harris looking to establish himself as a bona fide starter in Los Angeles, it's going to take a lot more than just one solid preseason game for Lambert-Smith to carve out a role in McDaniel's offense. The hierarchy within the Chargers' receiving corps is largely set heading into the season. While Ladd McConkey has the versatility to play any of the wide receiver spots, he'll likely operate as the primary cog of the air attack out of the slot. McDaniel wants to take advantage of YAC opportunities in the shorter and intermediate parts of the field, and McConkey has the skill set to be uniquely weaponized in that approach. Tre' Harris and Quentin Johnston meanwhile, will likely split the bulk of the outside receiver snaps— with Johnston beginning the season as the Chargers' primary X-receiver and Harris being used in a more versatile, slot/outside role. At a baseline, this leaves both Lambert-Smith and rookie receiver Brenen Thompson without a path to significant snaps in McDaniel's offense.
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