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

[OG619FrightninLightnin]

And, FWIW, my updated roster (Popper agrees on 75 rostered players):

TE room needs additions but roster otherwise looks set to me.


Rostered Players (75)


Offense (37):

QB (3): Justin Herbert, Trey Lance, DJ Uiagalelei

RB (5): Omarion Hampton, Amar Johnson, Kimani Vidal, Jaret Patterson, Keaton Mitchell [also KR]

FB (2): Alec Ingold, Scott Matlock

WR (9): Ladd McConkey, Tre Harris, Quentin Johnston, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Derius Davis [also KR/PR], Brenen Thompson [R4A], Dalevon Campbell, Luke Grimm, JaQuae Jackson

TE (4): Oronde Gadsden II, Charlie Kolar, Tanner McLachlan, Thomas Yassmin

OL (14): LT Rashawn Slater, RT Joe Alt, C Tyler Biadasz, G Cole Strange, G/T Trevor Penning, T Trey Pipkins, G Kayode Awosika, C/G Jake Slaughter [R2], OT Travis Burke [R4B], G Logan Taylor [R6A], G/T Alex Harkey [R6B], C Josh Kaltenberger, G Branson Taylor, G Ben Cleveland




Defense (34):

DL (7): Teair Tart, Jamaree Caldwell, Dalvin Tomlinson, Justin Eboigbe, Nick Barrett [R5], TeRah Edwards, Josh Fuga

Edge rusher/OLB (6): Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Akheem Mesidor [R1], Bud Dupree, Kyle Kennard, Garmon Randolph

LB (7): Denzel Perryman, Daiyan Henley, Troy Dye, Marlowe Wax, Junior Colson, Del'Shawn Phillips, Emany Johnson

CB (8): Cam Hart, Tarheeb Still, Donte Jackson, Deane Leonard, Nikko Reed, Eric Rogers, Isas Waxter, Jordan Oladokun

Safety (6): Derwin James Jr., Elijah Molden, Tony Jefferson, R.J. Mickens, Kendall Williamson, Genesis Smith [R4C]




Specialists (4)

Kicker: Cameron Dicker

Punter: JK Scott

Long snapper: Josh Harris, Peter Bowden



Hope to find time to post but taking care of my mother, now 99 and living with Alzheimer's, doesn't leave much time. Still love this board.

Best wishes to you and your mom

[Boltinloudguy]

Popper says changes are coming to accommodate the 18 UDFA signings...they had 75 players on the 90 man roster after drafting 8 guys and then they went out and signed 18 UDFAs to fill out 15 spots...

sounds like our FO got excited and signed more guys than they could fit in the roster...either that or some guys are getting an early release again...a guy like Ben Cleveland no longer fits the scheme, who else is going to get cut? even if they cut Cleveland they're going to have to clear 2 more spots and then veteran post draft free agency is about to kick off, they are probably signing at least one veteran TE to fill out the depth chart and who knows what else they plan to spend some of that 45 mil on in the next few weeks...

I think a few more changes are coming here soon, in case some folks are feeling like tuning out for the rest of the offseason, I think the roster is going to go thru some more turnover here in the next couple of weeks...

Makes since because I think they will sign a vet or 2, to the secondary as well. Like a Rasul Douglas type.

[dmac_bolt]

Makes since because I think they will sign a vet or 2, to the secondary as well. Like a Rasul Douglas type.

I’m not seeing where a few vets are even going today. Need to see it all shake out.

[LarryAW]

I like Slaughter a lot but with his inexperience I don’t think you can count on him as the starting LG yet.

I hope Joe isn’t done and adds one with experience after the draft.

Event: Perceived, linear, content. THIS is what 6+ billion hyper focus on, because they are controlled by their lower, animal mind.

Situation: Time, place, circumstances, influences, contributory factors, both known and unknown. Linear and nonlinear. Proximate Field.

Infinite Context = Nonlinear, infinite, omnipresent, timeless.

Most focus on content, the event, but the Chargers are the only ones, here, who have most of the required context, which is the proximate field. You can't even discern truth with just content.

[Bolt4Knob]

I tend to agree. Maybe next year but not this year. Pipkins when healthy can actually play good. He just can't last all season as a starter.

Pipkins will be on the roster through training camp - that is a given. He is good depth, pretty cheap relatively. Only if Harvey and Burke truly ball out would he not be on the roster. And what would you get for him, maybe a 6th round pick swap or a 7th. I think him as depth at OT is worth more than a 7th round pick

But if Harvey and Burke ball out - those are good decisions to have

Chargers have 92 players with the draft class and UDFAs-- they need to release two

Personally, I think it should be Cleveland - scheme fit or lack there of and probably Matlock. Give them both a chance to hook on before OTAs

[wu-dai clan]

cmplxgal

Great to hear from you.
Prayers for your family.
The Chargers certainly had a chance to draft a TE in one of the deepest classes we can remember.
Some slack will be picked up by Alec Ingold.
There are a few interesting UFAs too.

[Bolt4Knob]

And, FWIW, my updated roster (Popper agrees on 75 rostered players):

TE room needs additions but roster otherwise looks set to me.


Rostered Players (75)


Offense (37):

QB (3): Justin Herbert, Trey Lance, DJ Uiagalelei

RB (5): Omarion Hampton, Amar Johnson, Kimani Vidal, Jaret Patterson, Keaton Mitchell [also KR]

FB (2): Alec Ingold, Scott Matlock

WR (9): Ladd McConkey, Tre Harris, Quentin Johnston, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Derius Davis [also KR/PR], Brenen Thompson [R4A], Dalevon Campbell, Luke Grimm, JaQuae Jackson

TE (4): Oronde Gadsden II, Charlie Kolar, Tanner McLachlan, Thomas Yassmin

OL (14): LT Rashawn Slater, RT Joe Alt, C Tyler Biadasz, G Cole Strange, G/T Trevor Penning, T Trey Pipkins, G Kayode Awosika, C/G Jake Slaughter [R2], OT Travis Burke [R4B], G Logan Taylor [R6A], G/T Alex Harkey [R6B], C Josh Kaltenberger, G Branson Taylor, G Ben Cleveland




Defense (34):

DL (7): Teair Tart, Jamaree Caldwell, Dalvin Tomlinson, Justin Eboigbe, Nick Barrett [R5], TeRah Edwards, Josh Fuga

Edge rusher/OLB (6): Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Akheem Mesidor [R1], Bud Dupree, Kyle Kennard, Garmon Randolph

LB (7): Denzel Perryman, Daiyan Henley, Troy Dye, Marlowe Wax, Junior Colson, Del'Shawn Phillips, Emany Johnson

CB (8): Cam Hart, Tarheeb Still, Donte Jackson, Deane Leonard, Nikko Reed, Eric Rogers, Isas Waxter, Jordan Oladokun

Safety (6): Derwin James Jr., Elijah Molden, Tony Jefferson, R.J. Mickens, Kendall Williamson, Genesis Smith [R4C]




Specialists (4)

Kicker: Cameron Dicker

Punter: JK Scott

Long snapper: Josh Harris, Peter Bowden



Hope to find time to post but taking care of my mother, now 99 and living with Alzheimer's, doesn't leave much time. Still love this board.

Best wishes to you and your Mom - sending good thoughts

[cmplxgal]

Chargers have 92 players with the draft class and UDFAs-- they need to release two

There are a few interesting UFAs too.

You're both right; I forgot to check for the list of UDFAs they signed:

https://www.chargers.com/news/agree-to-terms-with-undrafted-free-agents-2026

18 players does indeed take them two over the roster limit of 90, but the drafted players aren't actually rostered until they sign their contracts.

[Bolt4Knob]

With the larger draft class - the Chargers should have about $27m of net cap space post draft. This takes into account the practice squad, in-season slush fund and paying the draft class

Off the top - $7m to extend Tuli. If he gets a $35m signing bonus over 5 years, thats $7m,

$20m left

Jonnu Smith or TE seems like a no-brainer

IDL - with Barrett - don't see it
OG - maybe - but I doubt it -- Hortiz went heavy OL and he had some interior depth. This could be a late training camp addition if these rookies are totally terrible
WR - I thought Juaun Jennings before the draft but with them drafting Thompson, don't see it
CB - Rasul Douglas, Tre'Davious White and Marshawn Lattimore -- all mentioned by Popper - could see one of these just for depth

I can see Jonnu Smith or TE -- pretty shortly before OTAs just because of need
but the others - maybe later in training camp as they see what they have

[Boltinloudguy]

With the larger draft class - the Chargers should have about $27m of net cap space post draft. This takes into account the practice squad, in-season slush fund and paying the draft class

Off the top - $7m to extend Tuli. If he gets a $35m signing bonus over 5 years, thats $7m,

$20m left

Jonnu Smith or TE seems like a no-brainer

IDL - with Barrett - don't see it
OG - maybe - but I doubt it -- Hortiz went heavy OL and he had some interior depth. This could be a late training camp addition if these rookies are totally terrible
WR - I thought Juaun Jennings before the draft but with them drafting Thompson, don't see it
CB - Rasul Douglas, Tre'Davious White and Marshawn Lattimore -- all mentioned by Popper - could see one of these just for depth

I can see Jonnu Smith or TE -- pretty shortly before OTAs just because of need
but the others - maybe later in training camp as they see what they have

Agreed on Jonny Smith, no brainer!

I think they are good with IDL and Oline as well. I think they carry 10 this year. Slater, Alt, Penning, Biadasz, Strange, Slaughter, Pip, Burke, Awosika and L. Taylor. I think Harkey could battle Awosika for that 10th spot. I am hoping if Harkey doesn’t make the team, they could get him to the PS.

If they could get Douglas or Lattimore for depth, that would be awesome.

[CanadianBoltFan]

I’m not seeing where a few vets are even going today. Need to see it all shake out.

To me, there is a clear spot at TE3 for Jonnu Smith

[Bolt4Knob]

To me, there is a clear spot at TE3 for Jonnu Smith

Based on this list - -it seems like Jonnu Smith would be the top candidate. Njoku is on the list too, Zach Ertz, Waller. But I think Jonnu Smith. Shoot they can sign him today - was released so don't even have to worry about the comp pick game.

• David Njoku
• Jonnu Smith
• Will Dissly
• Zach Ertz
• Darren Waller
• James Mitchell
• Taysom Hill
• Marcedes Lewis
• Nick Vannett
• Harrison Bryant
• Josiah Deguara
• Shane Zylstra
• John FitzPatrick
• Anthony Firkser
• Pharaoh Brown
• Donald Parham
• Jordan Akins
• C.J. Uzomah