{"id":286310,"date":"2026-04-26T02:57:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T02:57:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/286310\/"},"modified":"2026-04-26T02:57:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T02:57:20","slug":"los-angeles-chargers-2026-depth-chart-signings-and-best-available-free-agents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/286310\/","title":{"rendered":"Los Angeles Chargers’ 2026 depth chart, signings and best available free agents"},"content":{"rendered":"

Coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz checked a lot of boxes for the Los Angeles Chargers<\/a> through the 2026 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Chargers<\/a> were able to fill needs up front for both sides of the ball with three of their first four picks.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

The team\u2019s front office also managed to execute multiple trades on Day 2<\/a> of the trade to produce a stockpile of picks to use on Day 3<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Chargers\u2019 draft class<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Edge rusher Akheem Mesidor<\/a> of the Miami Hurricanes<\/a> highlighted the class as the Bolts\u2019 first-round selection<\/a> with pick No. 22.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an early look at the Chargers\u2019 depth chart with the inclusion of the incoming rookies who were selected:<\/p>\n

1 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2026: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana – Las Vegas Raiders<\/p>\n

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1 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2026: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana – Las Vegas Raiders<\/p>\n

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2 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2025: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.) – Tennessee Titans<\/p>\n

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3 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2024: Caleb Williams, QB, USC – Chicago Bears<\/p>\n

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4 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2023: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama – Carolina Panthers<\/p>\n

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5 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2022: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia – Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n

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6 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2021: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson – Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n

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7 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2020: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU – Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n

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8 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2019: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma – Arizona Cardinals<\/p>\n

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9 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2018: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma – Cleveland Browns<\/p>\n

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10 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2017: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M – Cleveland Browns<\/p>\n

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11 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2016: Jared Goff, QB, Cal – Los Angeles Rams<\/p>\n

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12 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2015: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State – Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/p>\n

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13 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2014: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina – Houston Texans<\/p>\n

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14 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2009: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia – Detroit Lions<\/p>\n

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15 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2008: Jake Long, OT, Michigan – Miami Dolphins<\/p>\n

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16 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2007: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU – Oakland Raiders<\/p>\n

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17 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2004: Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss – San Diego Chargers (traded to New York Giants)<\/p>\n

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18 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2003: Carson Palmer, QB, USC – Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n

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19 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2002: David Carr, QB, Fresno State – Houston Texans<\/p>\n

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20 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2001: Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech – Atlanta Falcons<\/p>\n

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21 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

2000: Courtney Brown, DE, Penn State – Cleveland Browns<\/p>\n

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22 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

1999: Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky – Cleveland Browns<\/p>\n

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23 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

1998: Peyton Manning, QB, Tennessee – Indianapolis Colts<\/p>\n

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24 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

1997: Orlando Pace, OT, Ohio State – St. Louis Rams<\/p>\n

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25 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

1996: Keyshawn Johnson, WR, USC – New York Jets<\/p>\n

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26 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

1995: Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Penn State – Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n

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27 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

1994: Dan Wilkinson, DT, Ohio State – Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n

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28 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

1992: Steve Emtman, DT, Washington – Indianapolis Colts<\/p>\n

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29 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

1991: Russell Maryland, DT, Miami – Dallas Cowboys<\/p>\n

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30 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

1990: Jeff George, QB, Illinois – Indianapolis Colts<\/p>\n

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31 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

1989: Troy Aikman, QB, UCLA – Dallas Cowboys<\/p>\n

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32 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

1988: Aundray Bruce, LB, Auburn – Atlanta Falcons<\/p>\n

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33 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

1987: Vinny Testaverde, QB, Miami – Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/p>\n

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34 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

1986: Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (did not sign, later joined Los Angeles Raiders)<\/p>\n

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35 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

1985: Bruce Smith, DE, Virginia Tech – Buffalo Bills<\/p>\n

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36 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

1984: Irving Fryar, WR, Nebraska – New England Patriots<\/p>\n

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37 \/ 37<\/p>\n

No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983<\/p>\n

1983: John Elway, QB, Stanford – Baltimore Colts (traded to Denver Broncos)<\/p>\n

Chargers depth chart for 2026OFFENSE<\/p>\n

QB: Justin Herbert<\/a>, Trey Lance<\/a>, DJ Uiagalelei<\/a><\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

RB: Omarion Hampton<\/a>, Kimani Vidal<\/a>, Keaton Mitchell<\/a>, Jaret Patterson<\/a><\/p>\n

WR: Ladd McConkey<\/a>, Brenen Thompson*, Dalevon Campbell<\/p>\n

WR: Quentin Johnston<\/a>, KeAndre Lambert-Smith<\/a>, Luke Grimm<\/a><\/p>\n

WR: Tre\u2019 Harris<\/a>, Derius Davis<\/a>, JaQuae Jackson<\/a><\/p>\n

TE: Oronde Gadsden<\/a>, Charlie Kolar<\/a>, Tanner McLachlan<\/a>, Thomas Yassmin<\/a><\/p>\n

FB: Alec Ingold<\/a>, Scott Matlock<\/a><\/p>\n

LT: Rashawn Slater<\/a>, Travis Burke*<\/p>\n

LG: Trevor Penning<\/a>, Kayode Awosika<\/a>, Branson Taylor<\/a>, Alex Harkey*<\/p>\n

C: Tyler Biadasz<\/a>, Josh Kaltenberger<\/p>\n

RG: Jake Slaughter*, Cole Strange<\/a>, Ben Cleveland<\/a>, Logan Taylor*<\/p>\n

RT: Joe Alt<\/a>, Trey Pipkins<\/a> III<\/p>\n

DEFENSE<\/p>\n

LDE: Tear Tart, Josh Fuga<\/p>\n

NT: Dalvin Tomlinson<\/a>, Jamaree Caldwell<\/a><\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

RDE: Justin Eboigbe<\/a>, TeRah Edwards, Nick Barrett*<\/p>\n

WLB: Tuli Tuipulotu<\/a>, Kyle Kennard<\/a><\/p>\n

LILB: Daiyan Henley<\/a>, Junior Colson<\/a>, Marlowe Wax<\/a>, Emany Johnson<\/p>\n

RILB: Denzel Perryman<\/a>, Troy Dye<\/a>, Del\u2019Shawn Phillips<\/p>\n

SLB: Khalil Mack<\/a>, Akheem Mesidor*, Bud Dupree<\/a>, Garmon Randolph<\/p>\n

LCB: Cam Hart<\/a>, Jordan Oladokun<\/a><\/p>\n

SS: Derwin James Jr., Tony Jefferson<\/a><\/p>\n

FS: Elijah Molden<\/a>, Genesis Smith*, RJ Mickens, Kendall Williamson<\/a><\/p>\n

RCB: Donte Jackson<\/a>, Deane Leonard<\/a>, Isas Waxter, Eric Rogers<\/a><\/p>\n

NB: Tarheeb Still, Nikko Reed<\/a><\/p>\n

SPECIAL TEAMS<\/p>\n

PK: Cameron<\/a> Dicker<\/p>\n

P: JK Scott<\/a><\/p>\n

H: JK Scott<\/p>\n

PR: Derius Davis, Tarheeb Still<\/a>, Ladd McConkey<\/p>\n

KR: Keaton Mitchell, Derius Davis, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Kimani Vidal<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

LS: Josh Harris<\/a>, Peter Bowden<\/a><\/p>\n

Chargers’ undrafted free agent targets, needs<\/p>\n

The Chargers still have position needs worth addressing as the team explores its options in the undrafted free-agency market.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles<\/a> could benefit by adding another tight end and offensive tackle to the roster.<\/p>\n

Michael Trigg of Baylor could\u2019ve been a name to consider at tight end for the Chargers, but Trigg is expected to sign with the Dallas Cowboys<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here are some names to consider:<\/p>\n

Fa\u2019alili Fa\u2019amoe, Wake Forest, OT<\/p>\n

Chargers undrafted free agent signings<\/p>\n

Devonte Ross, WR, Penn State<\/p>\n

Jerand Bradley, WR\/TE, Kansas State<\/p>\n

Jerry Wilson, CB, Florida State<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Los Angeles Chargers’ 2026 depth chart, targets and signings after draft<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz checked a lot of boxes for the Los Angeles Chargers…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":286311,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[17641,69622,97584,122691,122693,30438,122698,122713,122683,122687,122695,24550,34567,122694,99737,55782,122684,122704,30439,30175,122712,18798,122708,122706,96281,122703,11490,122686,122707,99735,122690,122692,1544,51900,122697,122685,96280,30434,1542,122709,48,52,51,30437,47,1333,50,49,122710,122699,13613,122711,11476,122688,27606,12107,66917,122700,122701,122702,18615,122705,48900,122696,99739,63000,98673,24554,51949,122689],"class_list":{"0":"post-286310","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-los-angeles","8":"tag-2026-nfl-draft","9":"tag-akheem-mesidor","10":"tag-alec-ingold","11":"tag-ben-cleveland","12":"tag-branson-taylor","13":"tag-bud-dupree","14":"tag-cam-hart","15":"tag-cameron","16":"tag-chargers-depth-chart","17":"tag-charlie-kolar","18":"tag-cole-strange","19":"tag-daiyan-henley","20":"tag-dallas-cowboys","21":"tag-dalvin-tomlinson","22":"tag-deane-leonard","23":"tag-denzel-perryman","24":"tag-derius-davis","25":"tag-dj-uiagalelei","26":"tag-donte-jackson","27":"tag-elijah-molden","28":"tag-eric-rogers","29":"tag-front-office","30":"tag-jamaree-caldwell","31":"tag-jaquae-jackson","32":"tag-jaret-patterson","33":"tag-jk-scott","34":"tag-joe-alt","35":"tag-joe-hortiz","36":"tag-jordan-oladokun","37":"tag-josh-harris","38":"tag-junior-colson","39":"tag-justin-eboigbe","40":"tag-justin-herbert","41":"tag-kayode-awosika","42":"tag-keandre-lambert-smith","43":"tag-keaton-mitchell","44":"tag-kendall-williamson","45":"tag-khalil-mack","46":"tag-kimani-vidal","47":"tag-kyle-kennard","48":"tag-la","49":"tag-la-headlines","50":"tag-la-news","51":"tag-ladd-mcconkey","52":"tag-los-angeles","53":"tag-los-angeles-chargers","54":"tag-los-angeles-headlines","55":"tag-los-angeles-news","56":"tag-luke-grimm","57":"tag-marlowe-wax","58":"tag-miami-hurricanes","59":"tag-nikko-reed","60":"tag-omarion-hampton","61":"tag-oronde-gadsden","62":"tag-peter-bowden","63":"tag-quentin-johnston","64":"tag-rashawn-slater","65":"tag-scott-matlock","66":"tag-tanner-mclachlan","67":"tag-tarheeb-still","68":"tag-the-chargers","69":"tag-thomas-yassmin","70":"tag-tony-jefferson","71":"tag-tre-harris","72":"tag-trevor-penning","73":"tag-trey-lance","74":"tag-trey-pipkins","75":"tag-troy-dye","76":"tag-tuli-tuipulotu","77":"tag-tyler-biadasz"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/286310","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=286310"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/286310\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/286311"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=286310"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=286310"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=286310"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}