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

[Boltnut]

Is there any reason that Joe Hortiz can't draft one of each? I mean... I hear the depth is unbelievable! lol

Sure, you could draft one every round if you'd like...lol
I really want a TE, RB2, and a future starting edge rusher also.
So, maybe not every round...

[Eurobolt]

I would be absolutely shocked if any of the DT's are Jamal Williams-quality... Jamal was a gift.
I like Grant. But he's no Jamal Williams. Pad level is way too high to play like Jamal. Jamal got low... stayed low... and you couldn't dig him out.

Personally... I see 11 or 12 DT starters... for us... in our scheme.
It all depends on what they're looking for... interior pass rusher... or interior run stopper.
Very few (if any) of these DT's are both run-stopper or pass-rusher.

That draft is weak so they prompting one group... Of Mason Graham is the best DL (still has flaws) ask how far is he from JW...
Several of JW in this draft is ridiculous and taking any of credibility of that person...

15+ starters yes, JW lvl I do not think so.

[Boltnut]

That draft is weak so they prompting one group... Of Mason Graham is the best DL (still has flaws) ask how far is he from JW...
Several of JW in this draft is ridiculous and taking any of credibility of that person...

15+ starters yes, JW lvl I do not think so.

Agree... Mason Graham is the best DT in the class.
I wish Grant was Dexter Lawrence-quality. But, he's not.
A nice player that we may end up selecting @#22... but no better than a lot of the other players ranked 20-30.
I wouldn't be stressing over the trenches this draft.

Along the OL, we re-signed one (Bozeman) and brought 2 new ones in (James and Becton)
Along the DL, we did the same... re-signed one (Tart) and brought in 2 new ones (Hand and Jones)

Many here @TPB are down on Bozeman and Zion. But I don't hear that from Joe Ortiz... In fact he might just shoot a little stink-eye our way.

I've got TE, RB, and edge-rusher ahead of OL and DL.
And I'm a damn trencher!

[Bolt4Knob]

Is there any reason that Joe Hortiz can't draft one of each? I mean... I hear the depth is unbelievable! lol

I cited Jamal Williams as an example because he wasn't considered a complete player at the time he was drafted, and that translated into being a 2nd round pick. That's exactly the territory than many of the better D-linemen in this draft class are projected to be taken.

This is where I'm saying that there may very well be a Jamal Williams-quality IDL in this draft class, but there's not seven or eight of them, which is pretty much implied in the stance that this class is *SO* historically deep in IDL.

Joe Hortiz can't afford to wait until the 4th or 5th round to select an IDL, and still expect one that suits his requirements to be available. IMO.

There are going to be at least two positions that he has to wait until the 4th and 5th rounds to draft - unless he trades back and gets more picks. Thats just the way of the draft

I personally don't think he can wait until Day 3 to get WR &/or TE. Hence, why if the board plays out the wrong way and maybe Buffalo, the Giants or Browns want to trade up - the Chargers can get more picks in Rounds 2-5, combined with using some late 6th round picks to move up in Rounds 4 and 5 to check more boxes.

Chargers fans are not used to Day 3 picks being starters - because of Telesco. But all across the league, Day 3 picks are starters, contributors and sometimes pro bowlers. Look at the Niners - Kittle, Greenlaw, Warner, I forget the name but a CB, Brock Purdy,. The Rams do it as well. Its scouting, coaching and developing players. Understanding the type of player that fits your system and how the coaches can teach and develop. The Chargers, I think have the right coaches to develop and teach.

[Boltjolt]

Agree... Mason Graham is the best DT in the class.
I wish Grant was Dexter Lawrence-quality. But, he's not.
A nice player that we may end up selecting @#22... but no better than a lot of the other players ranked 20-30.
I wouldn't be stressing over the trenches this draft.

Along the OL, we re-signed one (Bozeman) and brought 2 new ones in (James and Becton)
Along the DL, we did the same... re-signed one (Tart) and brought in 2 new ones (Hand and Jones)

Many here @TPB are down on Bozeman and Zion. But I don't hear that from Joe Ortiz... In fact he might just shoot a little stink-eye our way.

I've got TE, RB, and edge-rusher ahead of OL and DL.
And I'm a damn trencher!

Hortiz actions say he isnt satisfied with Bozeman and Pip by signing Becton and James and trying Zion at OC which again says he isnt satisfied with Zion at LG or with Boze and isnt sure about James. Actions speak louder than words. He always says "trying to improve" and thats where its needed most. He recognizes it.

[Boltnut]

If we wait until 3rd round for TE... we're playing with fire and will get burned. @round 3, you are hoping no one selects Terrence Fergusen before #86. Because, after Fergusen, it drops off a cliff. IMO, Hunter Helm won't be fast enough for the next level. Basically, you have 6 prospects @TE to choose from before the #86 pick.

RB... you can wait into the 3rd round. Understanding, every prior pick will be a little bit better quality than your pick @RB.

There are 3 guys in the 1st round (Grant/Nolan/Harmon) that will be considerations... and 2 guys in the 2nd round (Tyleik Williams/TJ Sanders) that should be considerations for the Chargers. Most mocks have these guys going later than #22... but before #55. Does Joe Hortiz believe they are the BPA's @those slots...? Will he sacrifice TE and RB draftees to take a DT in Round 1 and 2...?

IMO, the value @DT happens in the 4th round. There are a variety of differing grades on DT's #7-15. Most of them don't start being BPA's until the 4th round... round 3 being the round that RB's, WR's, and Edge-rushers abound.

CJ West and Jordan Phillips are players I frequently end up with in the 4th round. And that is why Jeremiah declares this draft to be deep (if not spectacular) at the DT position. Both of those kids are starters (albeit situational/rotation). And if one of the 3rd round graded DT's fall to the 4th round (very likely)... you've created a very deep DL.

[Steve]

As far as the comparisons with Jamal Williams go, which Jamal are we talking about?

The Jamal Williams who did nothing before Wade Phillips D and most Chargers fans considered a bust? Or the Wade Phillips and after era that had him one of the best DT/NT in football (although he only had a few sacks, but could really push the pocket)? If you are making comparisons to JW at the end of his career, even the JW on supplemental draft day would meet that standard. He took a while, but he developed into a really good player eventually.

My point is that very, very few college players are the player on draft day that they will become as an NFL player. How fast and how much they develop is going to have a lot to do with how good a player they will become. People seem to love Harbaugh on game days, and he is pretty good, but I think that misses his strength. Harbaugh is about developing players. That is really where he earns his salary.

Putting together an NFL roster is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. All the pieces need to fit.

[Boltjolt]

As far as the comparisons with Jamal Williams go, which Jamal are we talking about?

The Jamal Williams who did nothing before Wade Phillips D and most Chargers fans considered a bust? Or the Wade Phillips and after era that had him one of the best DT/NT in football (although he only had a few sacks, but could really push the pocket)? If you are making comparisons to JW at the end of his career, even the JW on supplemental draft day would meet that standard. He took a while, but he developed into a really good player eventually.

My point is that very, very few college players are the player on draft day that they will become as an NFL player. How fast and how much they develop is going to have a lot to do with how good a player they will become. People seem to love Harbaugh on game days, and he is pretty good, but I think that misses his strength. Harbaugh is about developing players. That is really where he earns his salary.

Putting together an NFL roster is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. All the pieces need to fit.

Agree, and DTs usually take a little bit to develope and be good than they do right away. Who were good right away? Dexter Lawrence? He was ok. Carter was pretty decent. Oliver was pretty decent. So it happens but most i think take time.

Even last years sensation for us here Byron Murphy was below average. Darius Robinson was very meh. Fiske was good. I liked him for us. Sweat was actually pretty decent and had many mentions here. Jenkins was below average w/ a 47 per PFF. Hall didnt play much and neither did Kneeland. Those were all second round picks, Murphy and Robinson were first round picks.

Granted this class is much better than last years and most years but DTs usually always take some time. Just have to pick the right one which isnt always easy.

[rensoul]

Agree, and DTs usually take a little bit to develope and be good than they do right away. Who were good right away? Dexter Lawrence? He was ok. Carter was pretty decent. Oliver was pretty decent. So it happens but most i think take time.

Even last years sensation for us here Byron Murphy was below average. Darius Robinson was very meh. Fiske was good. I liked him for us. Sweat was actually pretty decent and had many mentions here. Jenkins was below average w/ a 47 per PFF. Hall didnt play much and neither did Kneeland. Those were all second round picks, Murphy and Robinson were first round picks.

Granted this class is much better than last years but DTs usually always take some time. Just have to pick the right one which isnt always easy.

Similar deal with TE's, they usually take some time to develop unless they are an outlier like Bowers. When DT's or TE's are drafted I look at them on at least on a 2-3 year timeline to see what kind of player they can be.

[Boltjolt]

Similar deal with TE's, they usually take some time to develop unless they are an outlier like Bowers. When DT's or TE's are drafted I look at them on at least on a 2-3 year timeline to see what kind of player they can be.

Agree and we dont need ours to start right away with Conklin. I think thats the plan. Work them in slow.

[Formula 21]

Agree... Mason Graham is the best DT in the class.
I wish Grant was Dexter Lawrence-quality. But, he's not.
A nice player that we may end up selecting @#22... but no better than a lot of the other players ranked 20-30.
I wouldn't be stressing over the trenches this draft.

Along the OL, we re-signed one (Bozeman) and brought 2 new ones in (James and Becton)
Along the DL, we did the same... re-signed one (Tart) and brought in 2 new ones (Hand and Jones)

Many here @TPB are down on Bozeman and Zion. But I don't hear that from Joe Ortiz... In fact he might just shoot a little stink-eye our way.

I've got TE, RB, and edge-rusher ahead of OL and DL.
And I'm a damn trencher!

There’s a good chance our OL starters are already on the squad. If we want one in the draft, I think we’ll have to reach for one. And I’m not sure Hortiz would do that.

[sonorajim]

If we wait until 3rd round for TE... we're playing with fire and will get burned. @round 3, you are hoping no one selects Terrence Fergusen before #86. Because, after Fergusen, it drops off a cliff. IMO, Hunter Helm won't be fast enough for the next level. Basically, you have 6 prospects @TE to choose from before the #86 pick.

RB... you can wait into the 3rd round. Understanding, every prior pick will be a little bit better quality than your pick @RB.

There are 3 guys in the 1st round (Grant/Nolan/Harmon) that will be considerations... and 2 guys in the 2nd round (Tyleik Williams/TJ Sanders) that should be considerations for the Chargers. Most mocks have these guys going later than #22... but before #55. Does Joe Hortiz believe they are the BPA's @those slots...? Will he sacrifice TE and RB draftees to take a DT in Round 1 and 2...?

IMO, the value @DT happens in the 4th round. There are a variety of differing grades on DT's #7-15. Most of them don't start being BPA's until the 4th round... round 3 being the round that RB's, WR's, and Edge-rushers abound.

CJ West and Jordan Phillips are players I frequently end up with in the 4th round. And that is why Jeremiah declares this draft to be deep (if not spectacular) at the DT position. Both of those kids are starters (albeit situational/rotation). And if one of the 3rd round graded DT's fall to the 4th round (very likely)... you've created a very deep DL.

I hate to force feed position over talent/ quality in the draft. If Hortiz ranks other players over them, so be it. We aren't that bad with Conklin, Dissley, Fisk and there's still FA.