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

[Topcat]

Dmac Snap Judgement Draft Grades (please add your own)

Hampton = A
Harris = A
Caldwell = A-
Kennard = A
Lambert-Smith= C/Inc
Gadsden = A
Taylor = C/Inc
Mickins = B
Bridges = C/Inc

C/Inc students have been given extra credit assignments starting next month. EC grades will either secure their place in class or result in expulsion from Chargers U

Love 5 of top 6 - our team is better. L-S is a head scratcher to be honest, we’ll have to see if they found a gem.

Biggest Miss - no IOL picks that appear contenders to start either OC or LG. We’re betting on Zion and James, as of now. Tbd …

My thoughts also...I thought we'd go TE or OG in round 5...but apparently the Bolt brass had L-S rated higher than any TE or OG still left...I guess Lambert-Smith's 4.37 40 speed must have looked pretty enticing...

[dmac_bolt]

Going into the draft - talked 7 positions and what free agents might be enticing post draft
RB: Hampton covers that pretty well
WR: Harris and KLS -- I think they are good
TE: Gadsden should suffice - don't see a need for Andrews or Goeddert
IDL: Caldwell
Edge: Kennard --
IOL: Taylor from Pitt but that might still be a question mark
CB: late round picks but nothing early

So with that - -I can see
Edge: maybe somebody like Gardeck or Z Darius Smith for cheap, Von Miller is out there. I don't see an immediate need. Kennard also playing ST so this edge would be cheap veteran depth
IOL: hmm, Taylor was a late round pick - do they talk to Scherff or Hernandez
CB: Rasul Douglas or Gilmore - not sure scheme fit

But there is one name - now pre draft didn't want to do it but post-draft, dependng on cost and scheme fit - but Jalen Ramsey is probably going to be traded by the Dolphins per Rap Sheet
He would cost a boatload
Not sure how he would fit with his buddy James
But also probably the best player out there at this point. Probably won't happen but post draft, makes more sense now as would be post June 1

Can he take away the best WR1 in single man anymore? He’s not worth the money if he can’t, we don’t need two Derwins, we can always use a lockdown corner.

I agree with wise calm heads that say it ain’t over until the bald guy lifts the lid on the buffet trays before game 1, (paraphrasing). Taylor sure doesn’t feel like he’s supposed to be part of the 2025 solution, we’ll see?

[Topcat]

Can he take away the best WR1 in single man anymore? He’s not worth the money if he can’t, we don’t need two Derwins, we can always use a lockdown corner.

I agree with wise calm heads that say it ain’t over until the bald guy lifts the lid on the buffet trays before game 1, (paraphrasing). Taylor sure doesn’t feel like he’s supposed to be part of the 2025 solution, we’ll see?

Taylor looks like a project to me...they probably give him practice reps at LG and maybe T and see how he does...I still think we have two big question marks at LG and C...hope James is at least a pass pro upgrade over Boze...but Zion still a weak link until proven otherwise...maybe the plan is to run the rock so much with Harris and Hampton that we'll have opposing D's on their heels...then Herbie pulls play action and slings it to our new weapons, negating some of that pass rush that crippled us so much last season...some quick hitters to Gadsen, Conk and McConk should work...then the occasional long ball to Tre Harris...

[CanadianBoltFan]

Taylor looks like a project to me...they probably give him practice reps at LG and maybe T and see how he does...I still think we have two big question marks at LG and C...hope James is at least a pass pro upgrade over Boze...but Zion still a weak link until proven otherwise...maybe the plan is to run the rock so much with Harris and Hampton that we'll have opposing D's on their heels...then Herbie pulls play action and slings it to our new weapons, negating some of that pass rush that crippled us so much last season...some quick hitters to Gadsen, Conk and McConk should work...then the occasional long ball to Tre Harris...

He does look like a project I agree.

I love our draft, very impressed the way the guys were determined to never be short of weapons for Herbert again...if there is one thing maybe a higher grade of o lineman ...but you cant have everything in one draft

[Boltinloudguy]

I don’t know who Bridges is but most of us didn’t know who Still was last year either. I know it’s the 7th and not the 5th, but I trust this FOs decisions, especially with DBs after last year. Bridges is big, fast and played S and CB last year.

I think Mickens is great pick and will take over for Gilman after this year. I think Jefferson makes the PS again to make sure Mickens doesn’t get scooped up.

[Jack Burton]

Taylor looks like a project to me...they probably give him practice reps at LG and maybe T and see how he does...I still think we have two big question marks at LG and C...hope James is at least a pass pro upgrade over Boze...but Zion still a weak link until proven otherwise...maybe the plan is to run the rock so much with Harris and Hampton that we'll have opposing D's on their heels...then Herbie pulls play action and slings it to our new weapons, negating some of that pass rush that crippled us so much last season...some quick hitters to Gadsen, Conk and McConk should work...then the occasional long ball to Tre Harris...

Bro, have some faith, man. They addressed the O line.


C Andre James 2023
Among all Centers with 232 snaps or more:

- 74.6 Offense Grade (9th)
- 71.2 Pass Block Grade (10th)
- 75.0 Run Block Grade (11th)

Allowed 19 pressures in 583 pass blocking snaps. 3% pressure rate.

[Jack Burton]

I don’t know who Bridges is but most of us didn’t know who Still was last year either. I know it’s the 7th and not the 5th, but I trust this FOs decisions, especially with DBs after last year. Bridges is big, fast and played S and CB last year.

I think Mickens is great pick and will take over for Gilman after this year. I think Jefferson makes the PS again to make sure Mickens doesn’t get scooped up.

Mickens was a steal. He’s your Still this year, I think.

[Topcat]

Bro, have some faith, man. They addressed the O line.


C Andre James 2023
Among all Centers with 232 snaps or more:

- 74.6 Offense Grade (9th)
- 71.2 Pass Block Grade (10th)
- 75.0 Run Block Grade (11th)

Allowed 19 pressures in 583 pass blocking snaps. 3% pressure rate.

That's why I'm hoping James is a pass pro upgrade over Boze, in spite of his down year last season with the Raiders...maybe Zion plays better with James in there...we'll see...

[Xenos]

Going into the draft - talked 7 positions and what free agents might be enticing post draft
RB: Hampton covers that pretty well
WR: Harris and KLS -- I think they are good
TE: Gadsden should suffice - don't see a need for Andrews or Goeddert
IDL: Caldwell
Edge: Kennard --
IOL: Taylor from Pitt but that might still be a question mark
CB: late round picks but nothing early

So with that - -I can see
Edge: maybe somebody like Gardeck or Z Darius Smith for cheap, Von Miller is out there. I don't see an immediate need. Kennard also playing ST so this edge would be cheap veteran depth
IOL: hmm, Taylor was a late round pick - do they talk to Scherff or Hernandez
CB: Rasul Douglas or Gilmore - not sure scheme fit

But there is one name - now pre draft didn't want to do it but post-draft, dependng on cost and scheme fit - but Jalen Ramsey is probably going to be traded by the Dolphins per Rap Sheet
He would cost a boatload
Not sure how he would fit with his buddy James
But also probably the best player out there at this point. Probably won't happen but post draft, makes more sense now as would be post June 1

I feel like LG (or Center) is really the only remaining question mark after the draft. I guess you could go after Will Hernandez if Zion is better at Center than LG. Or if Andre James wins the Center position outright, Zion can stay at LG.

[Xenos]

Taylor looks like a project to me...they probably give him practice reps at LG and maybe T and see how he does...I still think we have two big question marks at LG and C...hope James is at least a pass pro upgrade over Boze...but Zion still a weak link until proven otherwise...maybe the plan is to run the rock so much with Harris and Hampton that we'll have opposing D's on their heels...then Herbie pulls play action and slings it to our new weapons, negating some of that pass rush that crippled us so much last season...some quick hitters to Gadsen, Conk and McConk should work...then the occasional long ball to Tre Harris...

Right now, Taylor is exclusively a Guard per Hortiz.

[Boltinloudguy]

Mickens was a steal. He’s your Still this year, I think.

I think Bridges is your next Dean Leonard after this year.

I can see this whole draft class making the team. Even Branson Taylor as their 6th IOL. I think 10 Olinemen make this team.

Looks like Pip is going to be the swing tackle with them possibly bringing in a vet as well. Noteboom and Humphries are still out there for competition.

[wu-dai clan]

We can wait n see.
How good are the new guys ?
How desperate are other teams with injuries and such ?

THEN trade QJ, Pip if it seems like the right move.

We extract value with this new regime.