The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Los Angeles Chargers entered the 2026 NFL Draft with five picks over the three-day draft.
The Chargers used their first pick Thursday night to select Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor at No. 22. In Friday’s second round, they shipped away their original pick at No. 55 to the New England Patriots to move down to No. 63 and add extra picks in the fourth and sixth rounds. With the 63rd pick, they took Florida’s Jake Slaughter, a college center who they announced as a guard.
Later in the third round, the Chargers traded down again, swapping their No. 88 pick with the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a fourth-, fifth- and sixth-round pick. They now have seven picks on Day 3 of the draft Saturday.
Keep coming back here throughout the draft for grades and analysis of each Chargers pick.
Round 1No. 22: Akheem Mesidor, edge, MiamiHow he fits
The Chargers had a huge need at edge rusher after Odafe Oweh left in free agency to sign with the Washington Commanders. They re-signed Khalil Mack, and Tuli Tuipulotu is under contract. But they were missing a third edge to bolster the pass rush, particularly in known-passing situations. The Chargers’ defense was at its best last season when Mack, Tuipulotu and Oweh were all on the field together. Mesidor fills that hole, and he is a player who can make an impact immediately. Mesidor is physical and violent both as a run defender and pass rusher. Mack is also entering his age-35 season. The Chargers now have an exit plan for life after Mack. — Daniel Popper
Dane Brugler’s analysis
From Brugler’s Top 300 rankings: Along with his urgent upfield quickness, he has aggressive, well-timed hands and a deep bag of rush moves, which allows him to vary his attack and create challenging angles for blockers. He is a physical run defender with adequate play strength, although he can get stuck on blocks and needs to continue maturing his escape maneuvers.
Grade: A-Daniel Popper’s analysis
Los Angeles Chargers select Miami’s Akheem Mesidor with No. 22 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
Round 2No. 64: Jake Slaughter, G, FloridaHow he fits
The Chargers listed Slaughter as a guard, which displays his versatility, but Slaughter is the team’s future starting center. But if Harbaugh and company believe he can make the slight transition in year one, it’s a smart move. Slaughter (6-5, 303) twice earned second-team All-American honors and started 33 games at Florida. He’s a physical, powerful run blocker who fits what the Chargers want from their offensive line. — Scott Dochterman
Dane Brugler’s analysis
From Brugler’s Top 300 rankings: Slaughter doesn’t have overwhelming traits, but he consistently does his job using controlled movements, stout strength and veteran processing skills. With his makeup, he should compete for starting center snaps as a rookie.
Grade: B-minusDaniel Popper’s analysis
Los Angeles Chargers take Florida’s Jake Slaughter with 63rd pick in 2026 NFL Draft
Round 3
No picks
Round 4No. 105: Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi StateHow he fits
Thompson (5-9, 164) led the SEC in receiving yards (1,054) — which is also a single-season record for the Bulldogs — and averaged 18.5 yards on his 57 catches. Perhaps the most explosive receiver in the draft, Thompson blazed to a 4.26 40 time and had 10 catches of 40-plus yards last year. Thompson has home run potential for the Chargers. — Scott Dochterman
Dane Brugler’s analysis
From Brugler’s Top 300 rankings: Thompson is undersized and not built for traffic but offers the score-from-anywhere type of speed to be a dynamic contributor in the quick game or downfield. If he stays healthy, he has upside as a No. 3 WR for an NFL offense looking for his specific skill set.
Daniel Popper’s analysis
On Friday, Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz was active in accruing more Day 3 capital. He traded down twice and picked up four additional picks. The Chargers have seven picks over the final four rounds in this draft. They addressed their top two needs with edge rusher Akheem Mesidor and interior offensive lineman Jake Slaughter. Now they can start building depth at less pressing positions of need. That started Saturday with Thompson, whose speed is an obvious fit with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. He also has some nuance to his game as a route runner, including on double moves on the outside. McDaniel will be able to manufacture touches for Thompson in yards-after-the-catch situations. This was the exact skill set the Chargers were missing in a young, ascending receiver room that includes Ladd McConkey, Tre’ Harris and Quentin Johnston.
No. 117: Travis Burke, OT, MemphisHow he fits
The Chargers added some developmental depth in the massive Burke to play behind Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater. Burke (6-8 3/5, 325) played with three teams over five seasons and wrapped up his career as a first-team All-AAC selection at Memphis. He has 30 career starts at left tackle and 16 at right tackle. His massive arms (34 1/4) and wingspan (83 1/8) could net him a look at the left side at some point during his career.
Dane Brugler’s analysis
From Brugler’s Top 300 rankings: Burke is a towering tackle prospect with predictable leverage issues, but he also has solid movement ability and a nasty disposition that will endear him to pro coaches. He has tools worth drafting in the mid-rounds, to be a swing tackle and potential starter.
Daniel Popper’s analysis
The Chargers were interested in tackle depth heading into this draft. But with only five picks, it was going to be difficult to add at this position, given other areas of need. Hortiz’s maneuvering on Day 2 has opened up this draft for the Chargers. Hortiz packaged No. 123 and No. 204 to move up to No. 117 and take Burke, a giant tackle who stands close to 6-foot-9. Starters Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are both coming back from season-ending injuries. The Chargers did re-sign Trey Pipkins III as a swing tackle option. Pipkins has also battled injuries in his career. Burke enters the mix as more insurance behind Alt and Slater. Even with this trade-up, the Chargers still have four picks remaining on Day 3.
No. 131: Genesis Smith, S, ArizonaDane Brugler’s analysis
From Brugler’s Top 300 rankings: Smith must address the concerns about his marginal physicality and tackling. However, he has a natural center-field skill set because of his ability to read the quarterback and range toward the football. He has starter-level upside — if he makes the necessary improvements.
Daniel Popper’s analysis
The Chargers kept their safety room together by re-signing veteran Tony Jefferson earlier this offseason. They also bring back Derwin James Jr., Elijah Molden and RJ Mickens. Adding a safety on Day 3 still makes a lot of sense. New Chargers defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary will continue using James often at nickel. When James is playing in these roles closer to the line of scrimmage, a third safety must come onto the field. Molden will be one of those players. Smith now enters a competition with Mickens and Jefferson for that other spot. Smith’s capabilities in the deep part of the field are an ideal fit for how O’Leary wants to play. O’Leary will be running the same defensive scheme as Jesse Minter did.
Round 5No. 145: Nick Barrett, DT, South CarolinaDane Brugler’s analysis
From Brugler’s Top 300 rankings: Barrett lacks sudden twitch in his movements, but his motor has a full tank, and he uses his length and power to stay detached from blocks. He is in the Alfred Collins mold as an early-down rotational lineman who can develop into more.
Daniel Popper’s analysis
The Chargers lost two interior defensive linemen in free agency. Da’Shawn Hand signed with the Atlanta Falcons, and Otito Ogbonnia signed with the Dallas Cowboys. The Chargers added veteran Dalvin Tomlinson as a run-stuffing nose tackle, but they needed one more piece to replace Hand and Ogbonnia. They found that player in Barrett, who should slot in as the fifth player on the depth chart. The Chargers also re-signed Teair Tart, and they are bringing back Jamaree Caldwell and Justin Eboigbe. Hortiz has now selected at least one interior defensive lineman in each of his first three Chargers drafts.
Round 6
No. 202 (from New England via Pittsburgh)
No. 206 (from Cleveland via Chicago)