Official 2026 Chargers Roster Discussion | Roster Build | 2nd Wave Of Free Agency

[sonorajim]

How come we never hire one of the top OL coaches? We just seem to underperform every year.

And with all the OL injuries, I now look at our OL and see Great, Question Mark, Question Mark, Question Mark, Question Mark. And I’m really not happy with that.

So I just hope that I’m wrong again.

Let's talk about Harbaugh's staff. 1 year and an off season.
Greg Roman- OC
Mike Devlin- OL
Nick Hardwick- OL Asst.
Marcus Brady- pass game CO
Andy Bischoff- run game CO / TE coach

May be too many fingers in the pie. If so it's up to Harbaugh to square it away.
Bischoff had a lot of bark. OK big dog let's see some run block execution. For starts. The run game is supposed to drive the train this year.
Two years ago the OL was a disaster zone. Last year they were better, believe it or not.
Give us some of the "Tip of the Spear" action in 2025 dudes.

[colorado]

he is a great player, but he does nothave the size like Chase.... and Chargers will run alot and spread ball around to an abundance of receivers.... and Ladd will be facing best DB on each team.....

You know it. They're going to try to cover him like a blanket

[Bolt4Knob]

The fact that Ladd is so good, he and Hampton will draw the most attention of the defense allowing our TE's, KA, Harris, KLS, and Johnston to have more opportunities to make plays against single or less coverage.....

I think you are pretty spot on here. Now, I might be overstating Hampton based on pre-season - but I think he has something going on there with his skill set. So you are right, Ladd and Hampton should help open it up for the others. I also think KA could help open up downfield for Ladd, Tre, KLS as well because he will work that "mid-range game well inside the 3 point line" so to speak to allow things downfield

[Formula 21]

Best and worst PFF grades from Chargers-Rams


Here are the best PFF grades given to the Chargers in their loss to the Rams.

by Michael Peterson
Aug 19, 2025 at 9:31 AM PDT 3 Comments3 New


The Chargers unfortunately will not be going undefeated this offseason after dropping their third preseason game 23-22 to the Rams inside SoFi Stadium.


Let’s go ahead and take a look at the best and worst grades given by Pro Football Focus to the Chargers from this weekend.

Offense (min. 10 snaps)

Best

WR Tre’ Harris - 85.3
WR Ladd McConkey - 83.5
QB Trey Lance - 80.6
QB Justin Herbert - 77.5
WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith - 75.7

This is exactly what you want to see if you’re a Chargers fan when it comes to the passing game. Herbert and Lance amongst the top five along with McConkey, Harris, and KLS. The rookie wideouts balled out and Ladd had a strong 17-yard reception on the opening drive that showed he’s ready to pick up right where he left off in 2024. Both Harris and KLS each had a reception go for over 30 yards that helped set up scoring drives for the Chargers.

Worst

OG Branson Taylor - 26.3
WR Dalevon Campbell - 32.3
OG Karsen Barnhart - 33.2
OT Corey Stewart - 47.2
RB Kimani Vidal - 51.7


The backup interior blockers are not having a fun time this preseason. Barnhart posted a literal 0.0 pass block grade against the Rams. Taylor wasn’t much better at 0.9. You RARELY see grades that low for any player in any regard and the Chargers had two of them in this one game. That’s rough.

Vidal was the lowest-graded running back in a game he needed to perform well in to stave off the Raheim Sanders hype.

Defense

Best

S Tony Jefferson - 86.2
CB Myles Purchase - 71.3
LB Troy Dye - 71.3
CB Ja’Sir Taylor - 70.0
LB Kana’i Mauga - 69.9

Jefferson continues to be an All-Pro during the preseason for the Chargers. He was far-and-away the best defender on the field against the Rams. Taylor’s grade is an odd one to me because it looked like he was the culprit letting up a 38-yard touchdown pass but this grade tells me he was not the guy responsible for it or else it wouldn’t be this high.

Worst


S Jaylen Jones - 31.9
LB Junior Colson - 34.5
DT Naquan Jones - 41.7
EDGE Gamron Randolph - 46.5
EDGE Kylan Guidry - 53.8

Colson continuing to be a poorly-graded player most weeks — in the preseason or regular season — is starting to become worrisome. He was supposed to be ready-made for Jesse Minter’s defense for the Chargers and for whatever reason it doesn’t seem like it’s only injuries keeping him from performing well.

[Formula 21]

I’m so happy to see the young skill players doing so well. But the OL grades make me sick. And Taylor is trying out to be our swing tackle? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

And Junior Colson? Looking like all hype, no action. Thank heavens we appear to have some young talent behind him and decent vets in front of him.

[Velo]

I think Cincy wants to get Chase a 2000 yard season. So no, McC is not going to be the best WR in football.

You're all missing my point. McConkey won't get as many targets as Chase, at least we hope not, that's now what the Chargers' offense is about, so he's not going to produce ungodly numbers. But that doesn't mean he won't be the best WR in the league. The BEST WR is not necessarily the WR with the biggest stat line.

[dmac_bolt]

Why can't McConkey be the best WR in the league? He is going to be as good as Anthony Brown, AB in his prime was the best WR in the league for a stretch of seasons. The thing working against McConkey is that he may not lead the league in receiving stats, if the offense works out as planned, with a dominant rushing attack. But even if he doesn't compile league-leading stats, he could still be the best in the league.

I hereby nominate Velo to be our next Mayor of Flipville and lead the Velo To Victory 2025 movement!

[Velo]

Total yards, YPC and TD numbers get a lot of love. Ladd probably won't lead in them.
No disrespect intended, I love the guy. He's on a team that has several good to great receivers and will also run the ball around 50% of snaps.
I hope he is best in the NFL in Chargers hearts.
Last year I believe he was #10 in total yards and I doubt the numbers go up.

My point is that Ladd is not going to produce the numbers of a WR in a high octane passing offense, ala Jefferson or Chase, because that is not what the Chargers' offense about. But that doesn't mean he can't be the best WR in the league.

[Formula 21]

My point is that Ladd is not going to produce the numbers of a WR in a high octane passing offense, ala Jefferson or Chase, because that is not what the Chargers' offense about. But that doesn't mean he can't be the best WR in the league.

That’s a hard point to prove in a production based league.

[dmac_bolt]

Best and worst PFF grades from Chargers-Rams


Here are the best PFF grades given to the Chargers in their loss to the Rams.

by Michael Peterson
Aug 19, 2025 at 9:31 AM PDT 3 Comments3 New


The Chargers unfortunately will not be going undefeated this offseason after dropping their third preseason game 23-22 to the Rams inside SoFi Stadium.


Let’s go ahead and take a look at the best and worst grades given by Pro Football Focus to the Chargers from this weekend.

Offense (min. 10 snaps)

Best

WR Tre’ Harris - 85.3
WR Ladd McConkey - 83.5
QB Trey Lance - 80.6
QB Justin Herbert - 77.5
WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith - 75.7

This is exactly what you want to see if you’re a Chargers fan when it comes to the passing game. Herbert and Lance amongst the top five along with McConkey, Harris, and KLS. The rookie wideouts balled out and Ladd had a strong 17-yard reception on the opening drive that showed he’s ready to pick up right where he left off in 2024. Both Harris and KLS each had a reception go for over 30 yards that helped set up scoring drives for the Chargers.

Worst

OG Branson Taylor - 26.3
WR Dalevon Campbell - 32.3
OG Karsen Barnhart - 33.2
OT Corey Stewart - 47.2
RB Kimani Vidal - 51.7


The backup interior blockers are not having a fun time this preseason. Barnhart posted a literal 0.0 pass block grade against the Rams. Taylor wasn’t much better at 0.9. You RARELY see grades that low for any player in any regard and the Chargers had two of them in this one game. That’s rough.

Vidal was the lowest-graded running back in a game he needed to perform well in to stave off the Raheim Sanders hype.

Defense

Best

S Tony Jefferson - 86.2
CB Myles Purchase - 71.3
LB Troy Dye - 71.3
CB Ja’Sir Taylor - 70.0
LB Kana’i Mauga - 69.9

Jefferson continues to be an All-Pro during the preseason for the Chargers. He was far-and-away the best defender on the field against the Rams. Taylor’s grade is an odd one to me because it looked like he was the culprit letting up a 38-yard touchdown pass but this grade tells me he was not the guy responsible for it or else it wouldn’t be this high.

Worst


S Jaylen Jones - 31.9
LB Junior Colson - 34.5
DT Naquan Jones - 41.7
EDGE Gamron Randolph - 46.5
EDGE Kylan Guidry - 53.8

Colson continuing to be a poorly-graded player most weeks — in the preseason or regular season — is starting to become worrisome. He was supposed to be ready-made for Jesse Minter’s defense for the Chargers and for whatever reason it doesn’t seem like it’s only injuries keeping him from performing well.

Do you remember the draft when about 20% of TPB or more insisted he was going to come and teach the Minter defense to the Chargers players? lol ... good times ...

I'm concerned about this one too but it looks like we have sufficient playable LBs to go on without him if needed.

[AK47]

I’m so happy to see the young skill players doing so well. But the OL grades make me sick. And Taylor is trying out to be our swing tackle? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

And Junior Colson? Looking like all hype, no action. Thank heavens we appear to have some young talent behind him and decent vets in front of him.

Is it just me or is there a common theme here under THIS regime....

Those who are fortunate to be involved in camp and practices really excel and seem to build distance from players whom miss camp/practice? 1 year ago Colson had a definite leg up on Minter's defense with solid lock on a role. Now? He's fringe camp fodder. This tells me the level of coaching/conditioning we've got is first class.

[Javia]

One week until roster cut down day. I am both excited and fearful.