Is This Fifth-Rounder the Next Great Chargers Receiver?
It only took one preseason game for Chargers rookie KeAndre Lambert-Smith to go from “who is that fifth-round guy?” to “is this the next WR2 for LA?” On a night meant to spotlight new beginnings in Canton, Lambert-Smith might’ve just carved the first line of his own NFL story. It is undoubtedly one that Chargers fans will want to follow closely. Against the Detroit Lions in the Hall of Fame Game, the former Auburn standout not only lived up to the early camp buzz — he flat out validated it.
Let’s start with the headline moment: a quick slant from Trey Lance that Lambert-Smith snagged, turned upfield, and took to the house. It was routine in design, but electric in execution. Turns out that wasn’t even his best play. Earlier in the first half, Lambert-Smith showcased his vertical threat potential, climbing the ladder to snag a perfectly lofted touch pass from Lance that turned heads and probably made more than a few fantasy managers hit the “watchlist” button. Training camp stars are a dime a dozen — highlight reel catches in practice don’t always translate when the pads come on and the scoreboard lights up. However, Lambert-Smith’s early performance feels different. He’s not just winning reps — he’s showing game-breaking traits on real snaps against opposing NFL defenses.
There’s something to be said about his pedigree, too. His uncle? Former Legion of Boom enforcer Kam Chancellor. That’s not just cool trivia — that’s NFL DNA. Lambert-Smith’s route running, acceleration, and fearlessness over the middle scream “ready for Sundays.” With Mike Williams gone, the Chargers' wide receiver room has been a giant TBD. Ladd McConkey is penciled in as a reliable option, Tre Harris has upside, and Quentin Johnston is still a question mark. Lambert-Smith, on the other hand? He might be the guy who forces coaches to tear up the depth chart by Week One.
The Chargers front office may have struck gold with this fifth-rounder. If he keeps stacking performances like this, it won’t be long before SoFi is buzzing with a new name on Sundays. KeAndre Lambert-Smith may not be a household name yet — but give it time. He’s coming, and he might be taking some shine from the other Bolts.
