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

[Bolt4Knob]

Popper on the podcast said he thinks two of three on IOL will be replaced -- so he thinks Becton and Boze. I just have no idea why Zion is an automatic. Maybe better coaching can help or scheme but he shouldn't be automatic.,

[YAC]

I want this guy Round 1. 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Denzel Boston, Washington

https://www.riverslakeyachtclub.com/post/2026-nfl-draft-scouting-report-wr-denzel-boston-washington-1

Denzel Boston is a Wide Receiver who plays for the Washington Huskies and has officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Jack you sure have a sweet tooth, my friend! You want us to spend for the top FA running back (Hall) and also spend our top pick on a WR?

We need meat and potatoes, my friend. The boring stuff.

[Bolt4Knob]

Jack you sure have a sweet tooth, my friend! You want us to spend for the top FA running back (Hall) and also spend our top pick on a WR?

We need meat and potatoes, my friend. The boring stuff.

I think the team needs to focus on Front Seven and IOL.
I also think TE is more pressing than WR if you have Ladd, QJ, Tre and KLS plus add a veteran that might fit Mike McD system more than Allen.

[Jack Burton]

I looked up PFF for Teven Jenkins -- 8 out of 81. Zion was 51 out of 81
Fwiw of course
Have to see who the new OL coach is and what scheme and all that

Popper was on a podcast with Insdorf/GAC guys and he thinks Zion will be back and is going to get paid pretty well based on guys like Fries and Banks last year.

Yeah, saw that. If it’s McDaniel and he wants Zion fine but otherwise I would just let him walk.
I would rather just sign C Linderbaum, LG Joel Bitonio and RG Kevin Zeitler and draft 2 interior O linemen.
Linderbaum will be expensive but worth it, the other 2 G’s should be affordable and then draft two G’s as depth to replace these vets going forward. Preferably Brian Parker as he can play RG plus RT, Carter Smith as he can play either G spots and currently just won a natty playing LT, or Pat Coogan who can play C and G.
I’d just pick off that Indiana line in the 3rd round. Twice.

[Jack Burton]

Im not advocating for Pickins either but i doubt we draft a WR in the first round. Hardly a big need....but depends on FA'cy as well. If it makes sense, sure but right now it dont make sense.
He also isnt a burner though he is fast enough.
If MM wants a burner type WR he had in Miami, not sure this draft is where to look. Chris Bell is one but he isnt as fast as Waddle. Lemon has decent speed as well. Just seems that McDaniel loves speed in his offense.

I think he’s fast enough but I also just don’t see QJ working with McDaniel. Ladd, Trey and Gadsden I can easily see but this team needs a true Alpha, Red Zone dog on the outside that teams will fear that allows the rest of the offense to have that space McDaniels wants to execute his offense.
I also like the idea of KR/RB Kenneth Gainwell too. Cheap
Hell, WR Rasheed Shaheed is a FA but he’s going to be expensive and I don’t think he ever gets to FA anyways

I do not think Harbaugh at this point will chance head case players.

[Bolt4Knob]

Yeah, saw that. If it’s McDaniel and he wants Zion fine but otherwise I would just let him walk.
I would rather just sign C Linderbaum, LG Joel Bitonio and RG Kevin Zeitler and draft 2 interior O linemen.
Linderbaum will be expensive but worth it, the other 2 G’s should be affordable and then draft two G’s as depth to replace these vets going forward. Preferably Brian Parker as he can play RG plus RT, Carter Smith as he can play either G spots and currently just won a natty playing LT, or Pat Coogan who can play C and G.
I’d just pick off that Indiana line in the 3rd round. Twice.

Just not sure the right long term plan is Bitonio and Zeitler - both are like 35 - and you are using 2 of your premium draft picks on Oline because you signed two older guys. Chargers have a lot of needs with draft picks - I truly think Hortiz has to go fo from 4 in 4 rounds to 6, maybe 7 in five rounds
I would like one of the guards they sign in free agency to be a long term plan.
Jenkins is 27
Zion is 26

Built a line that will be together a few years

[Jack Burton]

Popper on the podcast said he thinks two of three on IOL will be replaced -- so he thinks Becton and Boze. I just have no idea why Zion is an automatic. Maybe better coaching can help or scheme but he shouldn't be automatic.,

I think it’s just cause Zion “projects” to a zone scheme.
It’s easier to just leave him there then spend elsewhere.
The bottom line is the Chargers need 2 guards, a Center and some O line depth.

[Bolt4Knob]

I think it’s just cause Zion “projects” to a zone scheme.
It’s easier to just leave him there then spend elsewhere.
The bottom line is the Chargers need 2 guards, a Center and some O line depth.

Right. C, G and T -- besides at least two starters on the interior
Thats a lot of draft picks
Savion Washington was on IR all year - so maybe they think he can be depth at OT -0 doubt it - but they kept him on IR for a reason
Ben Cleveland is not old - maybe he can be depth for the future

I will trust MM and the new OL coach if they think Zion will work
still not sure about him
Like I would prefer Teven - if healthy but maybe not the right fit

[Jack Burton]

Just not sure the right long term plan is Bitonio and Zeitler - both are like 35 - and you are using 2 of your premium draft picks on Oline because you signed two older guys. Chargers have a lot of needs with draft picks - I truly think Hortiz has to go fo from 4 in 4 rounds to 6, maybe 7 in five rounds
I would like one of the guards they sign in free agency to be a long term plan.
Jenkins is 27
Zion is 26

Built a line that will be together a few years

Yeah, I thought about that, but it’s either get 2 solid, quality G’s or you get more crap. Age be damned. Zeitler and Bitonio both played all year.
Jenkins could work. Good in the run game. Bad in the pass game.
Zion Johnson was bad last year. I get it. He’s surrounded by crap. But he’s just been bad. There’s just no getting around it. I think it’s time to say bye. Waste of money.

Jenkins could be worth a mid tier contract but if he wants a massive deal, no way. I’d rather just sign the vet. I know what I’m getting.

C Luke Fortner is the other guy I would look at. Played C well when McCoy went down in NO and he can play either G position. But he’s a bit of an unknown and he’s really not an elite player. And NO needs every player they can get. I bet they resign him. Someone else here likes him too. I can’t remember who.

I could see Jenkins on a 3 yr deal, plus Zeitler on a one year deal and then grab Carter Smith and Coogan in the 3rd and 4th round as they both can play G and be depth at other positions.

[YAC]

Zion Johnson was bad last year.

Zion wasn't bad. He was mediocre.

[Bolt4Knob]

Yeah, I thought about that, but it’s either get 2 solid, quality G’s or you get more crap. Age be damned. Zeitler and Bitonio both played all year.
Jenkins could work. Good in the run game. Bad in the pass game.
Zion Johnson was bad last year. I get it. He’s surrounded by crap. But he’s just been bad. There’s just no getting around it. I think it’s time to say bye. Waste of money.

Jenkins could be worth a mid tier contract but if he wants a massive deal, no way. I’d rather just sign the vet. I know what I’m getting.

C Luke Fortner is the other guy I would look at. Played C well when McCoy went down in NO and he can play either G position. But he’s a bit of an unknown and he’s really not an elite player. And NO needs every player they can get. I bet they resign him. Someone else here likes him too. I can’t remember who.

I could see Jenkins on a 3 yr deal, plus Zeitler on a one year deal and then grab Carter Smith and Coogan in the 3rd and 4th round as they both can play G and be depth at other positions.

My prediciton
Linderbaum or McGovern at Center - none of this low dollar or taking a flyer - Hortiz needs to nail it - no more cheap flyers

Zion at LG

RG: Draft pick or maybe a cheap veteran for competition

[Bolt4Knob]

Zion wasn't bad. He was mediocre.

Per PFF 51/81
maybe with better coaching, scheme - that can improve to average or maybe 35/81