The Los Angeles Chargers addressed a pressing need in the first round of the draft Thursday night, taking Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor at No. 22. On Friday, they addressed another one by added Florida offensive lineman Jake Slaughter, a college center who projects to play guard.

They also did some wheeling and dealing, trading their second-round pick to move down nine spots (and select Slaughter) and add extra picks in the fourth and sixth rounds. And then they swapped their third-round pick for a fourth-, fifth- and sixth-round pick, leaving them with seven selection on Day 3 after entering the day with just two scheduled picks on Saturday.

Here are some Day 3 options for general manager Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh.

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

McCoy missed all of 2025 after suffering a torn ACL, but as Brugler notes, “McCoy’s 2024 tape is really, really good.” He is comfortable in press-man coverage and can smother receivers when he aligns close to the line of scrimmage. He can also trigger on routes in front of him. The injury situation comes with some risk and there are teams who are concerned about his short- and long-term health. But if he’s healthy, the tape in 2024 shows McCoy could be the No. 1 outside corner the Chargers have been searching for.

Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State

Abney shows the instincts and trigger that will fit well in some of the zone looks in defensiver coordinator Chris O’Leary’s scheme. He is quick to diagnose from off alignments and he flies downhill to make tackles in space. As The Athletic’s Dane Brugler writes, Abney is a “little bit of a wild defender.” But I think the Chargers can harness this play style.

Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State

As Brugler notes, Thompson led the SEC in receiving last season. He ran a 4.26 40 at the combine, and I think he provides more than just pure speed. I see some nuance in his route-running. “He is a smaller target but creates big plays at every level of the field,” Brugler writes.

Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke

Rivers is one of my favorite players in this draft. He is versatile and is a true playmaker in multiple phases. I could see him fitting into numerous roles within O’Leary’s scheme — outside, nickel, safety. I love him as a blitzer, too. “Rivers turns you off with his size, but then immediately draws you back in with his on-field play,” Brugler writes.

Jalen Farmer, G, Kentucky

Farmer has plus movement skills with the capability to reach block in outside-zone schemes. He tested off the charts at the combine, and he takes great angles as a run blocker. Farmer is a weapon as a puller. He shows an athletic base in pass protection.

Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota StateMalik Muhammad, CB, TexasDeion Burks, WR, OklahomaBilly Schrauth, G, Notre Dame

Schrauth is a functional mover with good eyes and awareness in pass protection. I think he lacks some power and pop in the run game, and he struggles to fit up against twitchier players, especially when climbing to the second level. Injuries will be a factor with Schrauth, as he missed time in 2024 with an ankle injury and suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2025.

Genesis Smith, S, ArizonaKamari Ramsey, S, USCWill Lee III, CB, Texas A&M

I think Lee has outstanding coverage instincts. Though he is a little “wiry,” as Brugler writes, Lee is natural in coverage, both in man and zone. He earned the nickname “The Blanket” while in junior college at Iowa Western Community College. I think Lee could press for playing time on the outside as a rookie.

Febechi Nwaiwu, G, OklahomaLogan Taylor, G, Boston CollegeLT Overton, edge, Alabama

Overton is a bit of a “tweener body type,” according to Brugler. But he provides upside and is explosive, big, powerful and long. “Overton isn’t yet the sum of his parts and hasn’t turned the flashes into consistency (and there is no guarantee he ever will), but the potential is enticing from a player who’s still very young,” Brugler writes.

Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma

Halton finished second in pressures for Oklahoma in 2025 with 30, according to Brugler. He has an explosive get-off and a persistent motor. Halton does not have the size that coach Jim Harbaugh typically values on the interior defensive line, but I think the Chargers would be intrigued by his play style.

Devin Moore, CB, Florida

Moore has a lengthy injury history, but he is worth a bet on Day 3 because of his size and length. He could give O’Leary some press-man upside, and I also thought he looked comfortable in zone, including in a deep part of the field as an outside Cover 3 defender. Moore “is a good-sized cover man with the speed and ball skills to be a scheme-versatile developmental option,” according to Brugler.

Ephesians Prysock, CB, WashingtonDarrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida StateJadon Canady, CB, OregonBeau Stephens, G, IowaKage Casey, G, Boise StateCaden Curry, edge, Ohio StateJude Bowry, OT, Boston College

The Chargers could target some additional tackle depth late in this draft. Starting tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are both working their way back from season-ending injuries. Slater and Alt were both on the field Monday for the start of the Chargers’ offseason program. The Chargers re-signed Trey Pipkins III this offseason to be their swing tackle. Bowry would be a development pick. He also potentially has some flexibility at guard. Bowry’s “ease of movement stands out when operating in space,” according to Brugler.

Rayshaun Benny, DT, MichiganDallen Bentley, TE, UtahLatrell McCutchin Sr., CB, HoustonJoshua Josephs, edge, TennesseeKendrick Law, WR, KentuckyNick Barrett, DT, South CarolinaKaleb Proctor, DT, Southeastern LouisianaEli Heidenreich, RB, Navy

Heidenreich is the only running back on our list. The Chargers bring back Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal. They also signed Keaton Mitchell in free agency. I do not expect the Chargers to draft a true running back this year. Heidenreich is more of a gadget weapon, the type of player that could be very interesting in McDaniel’s offense. He aligned in the backfield, out wide, in the slot and inline in 2025. “Heidenreich has dynamic pass-catching ability that can be weaponized in a hybrid role,” Brugler writes.

Michael Taaffe, S, TexasAlex Harkey, G, OregonDeMonte Capehart, DT, Clemson

Capehart has very workable traits that are worth a flier in the later rounds. He “is a massive, powerful human who moves like a much smaller person,” according to Brugler. Character will be a factor, as Capehart as charged with unlawful possession of a firearm in 2024.

Bryson Eason, DT, Tennessee

Eason has a lot of the traits the Chargers look for on the interior. He is big. He is long. He is explosive. He is powerful. Eason started his career as an inside linebacker before shifting to defensive tackle in 2022. He weighed in at his pro day at 330 pounds. I see traits that Elston can mold.

Landon Robinson, DT, NavyNadame Tucker, edge, Western Michigan

Tucker had 14.5 sacks while playing for O’Leary at Western Michigan last season. O’Leary was the Chargers’ safeties coach in 2024. He left in 2025 to call plays at Western Michigan. Easy to connect the dots here if the Chargers do not draft an edge rusher early. Tucker will turn 26 in June. His “high-effort pass rush can earn him a subpackage role,” according to Brugler.

Dae’Quan Wright, TE, MississippiRene Konga, DT, LouisvilleTanner Koziol, TE, HoustonTJ Hall, CB, IowaBrandon Cleveland, DT, N.C. StateKaden Wetjen, WR, IowaLouis Moore, S, IndianaAndre Fuller, CB, Toledo