Those around the team have also been impressed with the rookie's play early in his first season.
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 340 pounds, Caldwell has drawn rave reviews from the coaching staff and one of the defensive leaders on the team for the things he's able to do and his versatility.
"I thought he was going to be pretty twitchy and athletic, and he played kind of drastically different schemes, one at Houston and one at Oregon in what they asked him to do," Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter said following the first preseason game. "His ability and improvement he's made in taking on double teams has been remarkable. He's so powerful."
Khalil Mack added earlier this month: "He's a big guy, you wouldn't know he has the feet that he has, the footwork that he has. He has some finesse to him, which is exciting to see. Just knowing the type of though process I have, I love when guys can push that pocket, push the middle and he's one of those guys."
The rookie named Teair Tart as someone he's talked to and learned from but has also gotten a lot of value from everyone in the room as well.
While it is early, the emergence and encouraging play of Caldwell so far makes his position group one of the deeper aspects of the roster on paper — something he says has been beneficial to everyone in the room.
And a year after the defensive line position was a revelation for the Bolts and integral to the defensive success, they are confident that the unit could be a force once again this year.
"It's crazy. Our D-Line coach [**Mike Elston**] says every day, 'Everybody here could be a starter,'" Caldwell said. "It's competitive, everybody is fighting for a starting role. I feel like it's been great.
"Nobody is big-headed, everybody's just helping each other out and communicating," Caldwell added. "Everybody is making each other better in the room."