Coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz checked a lot of boxes for the Los Angeles Chargers through the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Chargers were able to fill needs up front for both sides of the ball with three of their first four picks.
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The team’s front office also managed to execute multiple trades on Day 2 of the trade to produce a stockpile of picks to use on Day 3.
The Chargers’ draft class consists of eight total players, with six of those selections coming on Day 3. The team did not make a pick in the third or seventh round.
Edge rusher Akheem Mesidor of the Miami Hurricanes highlighted the class as the Bolts’ first-round selection with pick No. 22.
Here’s an early look at the Chargers’ depth chart with the inclusion of the incoming rookies who were selected:
1 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2026: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana – Las Vegas Raiders
1 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2026: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana – Las Vegas Raiders
2 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2025: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.) – Tennessee Titans
3 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2024: Caleb Williams, QB, USC – Chicago Bears
4 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2023: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama – Carolina Panthers
5 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2022: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia – Jacksonville Jaguars
6 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2021: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson – Jacksonville Jaguars
7 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2020: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU – Cincinnati Bengals
8 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2019: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma – Arizona Cardinals
9 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2018: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma – Cleveland Browns
10 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2017: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M – Cleveland Browns
11 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2016: Jared Goff, QB, Cal – Los Angeles Rams
12 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2015: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
13 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2014: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina – Houston Texans
14 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2009: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia – Detroit Lions
15 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2008: Jake Long, OT, Michigan – Miami Dolphins
16 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2007: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU – Oakland Raiders
17 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2004: Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss – San Diego Chargers (traded to New York Giants)
18 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2003: Carson Palmer, QB, USC – Cincinnati Bengals
19 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2002: David Carr, QB, Fresno State – Houston Texans
20 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2001: Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech – Atlanta Falcons
21 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2000: Courtney Brown, DE, Penn State – Cleveland Browns
22 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1999: Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky – Cleveland Browns
23 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1998: Peyton Manning, QB, Tennessee – Indianapolis Colts
24 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1997: Orlando Pace, OT, Ohio State – St. Louis Rams
25 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1996: Keyshawn Johnson, WR, USC – New York Jets
26 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1995: Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Penn State – Cincinnati Bengals
27 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1994: Dan Wilkinson, DT, Ohio State – Cincinnati Bengals
28 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1992: Steve Emtman, DT, Washington – Indianapolis Colts
29 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1991: Russell Maryland, DT, Miami – Dallas Cowboys
30 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1990: Jeff George, QB, Illinois – Indianapolis Colts
31 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1989: Troy Aikman, QB, UCLA – Dallas Cowboys
32 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1988: Aundray Bruce, LB, Auburn – Atlanta Falcons
33 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1987: Vinny Testaverde, QB, Miami – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
34 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1986: Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (did not sign, later joined Los Angeles Raiders)
35 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1985: Bruce Smith, DE, Virginia Tech – Buffalo Bills
36 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1984: Irving Fryar, WR, Nebraska – New England Patriots
37 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1983: John Elway, QB, Stanford – Baltimore Colts (traded to Denver Broncos)
Chargers depth chart for 2026OFFENSE
QB: Justin Herbert, Trey Lance, DJ Uiagalelei
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RB: Omarion Hampton, Kimani Vidal, Keaton Mitchell, Jaret Patterson
WR: Ladd McConkey, Brenen Thompson*, Dalevon Campbell
WR: Quentin Johnston, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Luke Grimm
WR: Tre’ Harris, Derius Davis, JaQuae Jackson
TE: Oronde Gadsden, Charlie Kolar, Tanner McLachlan, Thomas Yassmin
FB: Alec Ingold, Scott Matlock
LT: Rashawn Slater, Travis Burke*
LG: Trevor Penning, Kayode Awosika, Branson Taylor, Alex Harkey*
C: Tyler Biadasz, Josh Kaltenberger
RG: Jake Slaughter*, Cole Strange, Ben Cleveland, Logan Taylor*
RT: Joe Alt, Trey Pipkins III
DEFENSE
LDE: Tear Tart, Josh Fuga
NT: Dalvin Tomlinson, Jamaree Caldwell
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RDE: Justin Eboigbe, TeRah Edwards, Nick Barrett*
WLB: Tuli Tuipulotu, Kyle Kennard
LILB: Daiyan Henley, Junior Colson, Marlowe Wax, Emany Johnson
RILB: Denzel Perryman, Troy Dye, Del’Shawn Phillips
SLB: Khalil Mack, Akheem Mesidor*, Bud Dupree, Garmon Randolph
LCB: Cam Hart, Jordan Oladokun
SS: Derwin James Jr., Tony Jefferson
FS: Elijah Molden, Genesis Smith*, RJ Mickens, Kendall Williamson
RCB: Donte Jackson, Deane Leonard, Isas Waxter, Eric Rogers
NB: Tarheeb Still, Nikko Reed
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK: Cameron Dicker
P: JK Scott
H: JK Scott
PR: Derius Davis, Tarheeb Still, Ladd McConkey
KR: Keaton Mitchell, Derius Davis, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Kimani Vidal
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LS: Josh Harris, Peter Bowden
Chargers’ undrafted free agent targets, needs
The Chargers still have position needs worth addressing as the team explores its options in the undrafted free-agency market.
Los Angeles could benefit by adding another tight end and offensive tackle to the roster.
Michael Trigg of Baylor could’ve been a name to consider at tight end for the Chargers, but Trigg is expected to sign with the Dallas Cowboys.
Here are some names to consider:
Fa’alili Fa’amoe, Wake Forest, OT
Chargers undrafted free agent signings
Devonte Ross, WR, Penn State
Jerand Bradley, WR/TE, Kansas State
Jerry Wilson, CB, Florida State
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Los Angeles Chargers’ 2026 depth chart, targets and signings after draft