The Chargers figure to be boosted in a big way by new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel this season, but how does their 2026 draft class compare to would-be selections using our board?

 

Actual selections

1.22: EDGE Akheem Mesidor

2.63: G Jake Slaughter

4.105: WR Brenen Thompson

4.117: OT Travis Burke

4.131: S Genesis Smith

5.145: DL Nick Barrett

6.202: G Logan Taylor

6.206: G Alex Harkey

 

Wolf Sports selections

1.22: CB D’Angelo Ponds

2.63: CB Jermod McCoy

4.105: G DJ Campbell

4.117: LB Harold Perkins Jr.

4.131: DL Zane Durant

5.145: TE John Michael Gyllenborg

6.202: WR Deion Burks

6.206: QB Jalon Daniels

 

Thoughts

Not to say anything about the actual selections made by the Chargers (one of the better drafting teams in recent years), but this comparison is the ideal example of how we follow the board based on best player available—which has led to more “hits” on stars and superstar players. Basically, D’Angelo Ponds and Jermod McCoy don’t fill a need based on the Los Angeles roster with Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still at cornerback, but we wouldn’t pass on them only for them to become household names with another organization. In an ideal scenario, we would’ve had the ability to move up in Round 2 for someone like Germie Bernard or Cashius Howell.

 

On the other hand, the Chargers have seemed to lean a bit more on filling needs under Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz, and that continued this year by taking a ready-made pass rusher in Akheem Mesidor, then trying to fix the interior of the offensive line with Jake Slaughter—a prospect comparable to Cole Strange, who happens to be the projected starter at the other guard spot with the group trying to get more athletic.

 

With their three selections in Round 4, LA took a speedster in Brenen Thompson that will be an exciting fit with Justin Herbert and Mike McDaniel, another towering tackle in Travis Burke to provide some insurance behind Joe Alt, and what they hope will be a hit at safety with Genesis Smith after RJ Mickens showed early promise as a Day 3 selection in 2025.

 

We would have gone with DJ Campbell on the offensive line as an all-around guard who thrived in a similar system at Texas (for anyone concerned about average athleticism), Harold Perkins Jr. to provide some more youth/energy at linebacker, and Zane Durant to do the same up front alongside run-stuffing types Teair Tart, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Jamaree Caldwell.

 

The Chargers finished off their draft class with Nick Barrett to join their defensive line, and then a couple of more guards in Logan Taylor and Alex Harkey—throwing more resources at the offensive line after it was an issue in 2025. Our board led to John Michael Gyllenborg at tight end (though the group is more crowded now with David Njoku since being signed), Deion Burks to provide speed at wide receiver, and Jalon Daniels to potentially be the long-term backup to Justin Herbert.