The Los Angeles Chargers are on the other side of the 2026 NFL Draft and they have added eight rookies to the roster over the course of the three-day event.
The team selected Miami Passer rusher Akheem Mesidor, Florida center Jake Slaughter, Mississippi State wide receiver Brenen Thompson, Memphis offensive tackle Travis Burke, Arizona safety Genesis Smith, South Carolina defensive tackle Nick Barrett, Boston College guard Logan Taylor and Oregon guard Alex Parkey.
Fans voted on how they felt the Chargers
did during the draft:
A majority of voters believed the Chargers deserved a “B” for their final draft grade, while nearly 80 percent of voters felt they deserved either an A or B.
Overall, the Chargers filled their major needs on the offensive line by adding four potential bodyguards for quarterback Justin Herbert, who was one of the most sacked signal callers in the NFL last season.
Slaughter will be the likeliest of the four to earn a starting spot at the center position. Burke, Taylor, and Harke will all contribute to the depth of the position group, which was devastated last season after Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt suffered injuries throughout the year.
Thompson provides the blazing speed the Chargers have needed in the wide receiver room and there’s potential for him to take on a responsibility that was similar to what Tyreek Hill had with the Miami Dolphins while new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel was their head coach.
As the first-round pick, Mesidor will have a chance to make an immediate impact from Day 1. There’s a good chance he will easily slide into Odafe Oweh’s role for the defense, making him a top pass rusher next to Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack, who is entering his age-35 season.
Smith and Barrett are two other Day 3 picks that will serve as depth both on defense and special teams, rounding out the 2026 draft class.
Check out FanDuel Sportsbook for the latest Chargers and NFL odds.
