Official 2026 Chargers Roster Discussion | Roster Build | Free Agency

[Boltinloudguy]

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.

I predict Andre James winning the starting C position. Making Zion and Boze battling it out for LG. I think Zion wins and Boze will be your backup for all 3 positions, with Salyer and Taylor as the backups.

[jamrock]

I like the positions Hortiz selected. It was obvious we were desperate for weapons at RB, WR and TE and needed Edge with Mack and Dupree aging and some IDL with Poona and Fox gone. He addressed all of that. It remains to be seen whether the players he selected at those positions will be effective but I give him big props for attacking the positions

[dmac_bolt]

Here’s a handy compilation of your entire 205 LAC draft class. Some thoughts as I see more, think more

1. Hampton is actually much more than a north south runner. He jumps outside quite smoothly when he sees it. But if there’s a north path, he takes it hard and fast - as every coach from pop warner and on yelled at every RB they ever had. This guy is gonna push Harris to the bench before long
2. Harris - this dude is pro-ready. The number of routes where he sets up the DB to stagger lunge stumble just fooled out of his cleats is very impressive, it’s what stood out to me in Ladd’s tape last year. He plays a man’s WR, he’ll bully smaller DBs and take their lunch money. Gonna be good!
3. Caldwell - this video shows last 2 years and you see the difference. Someone mentioned this year coaches asked him to bulk up so Harmon could do his work, and he did - much bigger and more inside. But 2 yrs ago you see a lot more 3T work and he’s a dawg. Gonna be a solid DL team member
4. Kennard - dude gets around fast. Key will be his ability to hold an edge. I like him a lot
5. L-S - much more impressed than I was when he was drafted. He’s got skills. Needs to work on setting up DBs to get open but he surprises how well he wins contested catches and how good his hands are while he’s getting hit and harrassed. Flashes that fast speed on several YACs in this clip, I want to see that blaze before he gets the ball too
6. Taylor - He looks ok, not sure special, but moving inside to OG likely helps him. I hear he needs more recovery time, idunno if we see him this year much?
7. Micken - a fucking baller. Dude is born for Safety
8. Bridges - this one intrigues me. 2/3 of his clips here are run support, very little in coverage and really don’t see much to know he’s actually a great cover CB. Its great he likes to hit and plays run with vigor, but I come away not knowing if he can cover NFL receivers. TBD

I love our 2025 class - more than last year’s. Yeah, i do.

[Jack Burton]

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...

I think thats there plan. Last year the Raiders lost their o line coach to the NYG. That’s when they went to crap. They kept moving folks around and it never worked. Nobody gelled. Jackson Powers Johnson was playing guard, and he’s a C. So they tried moving folks around and then injuries happened. I wouldn’t put too much stock in last year there.
James has been good since he was at UCLA prior to that mess last year. I don’t think they are worried. I think they like where they are at with James and Becton and Bozeman as depth at G-C. I bet they sign Will Hernandez in FA in the coming days.

[Jack Burton]

Here’s a handy compilation of your entire 205 LAC draft class. Some thoughts as I see more, think more

1. Hampton is actually much more than a north south runner. He jumps outside quite smoothly when he sees it. But if there’s a north path, he takes it hard and fast - as every coach from pop warner and on yelled at every RB they ever had. This guy is gonna push Harris to the bench before long
2. Harris - this dude is pro-ready. The number of routes where he sets up the DB to stagger lunge stumble just fooled out of his cleats is very impressive, it’s what stood out to me in Ladd’s tape last year. He plays a man’s WR, he’ll bully smaller DBs and take their lunch money. Gonna be good!
3. Caldwell - this video shows last 2 years and you see the difference. Someone mentioned this year coaches asked him to bulk up so Harmon could do his work, and he did - much bigger and more inside. But 2 yrs ago you see a lot more 3T work and he’s a dawg. Gonna be a solid DL team member
4. Kennard - dude gets around fast. Key will be his ability to hold an edge. I like him a lot
5. L-S - much more impressed than I was when he was drafted. He’s got skills. Needs to work on setting up DBs to get open but he surprises how well he wins contested catches and how good his hands are while he’s getting hit and harrassed. Flashes that fast speed on several YACs in this clip, I want to see that blaze before he gets the ball too
6. Taylor - He looks ok, not sure special, but moving inside to OG likely helps him. I hear he needs more recovery time, idunno if we see him this year much?
7. Micken - a fucking baller. Dude is born for Safety
8. Bridges - this one intrigues me. 2/3 of his clips here are run support, very little in coverage and really don’t see much to know he’s actually a great cover CB. Its great he likes to hit and plays run with vigor, but I come away not knowing if he can cover NFL receivers. TBD

I love our 2025 class - more than last year’s. Yeah, i do.

What’s so great is they addressed the offensive woes with awesome upgrades and yet right in the middle of the draft got Poona 2.0 in Caldwell and another EDGE guy with Kennard to go into that good rotation. Those were the two spots of real need on the defense and they hit them out of the park. They nailed every position of need and added another playmaker in Mickens late.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Here’s a handy compilation of your entire 205 LAC draft class. Some thoughts as I see more, think more

1. Hampton is actually much more than a north south runner. He jumps outside quite smoothly when he sees it. But if there’s a north path, he takes it hard and fast - as every coach from pop warner and on yelled at every RB they ever had. This guy is gonna push Harris to the bench before long
2. Harris - this dude is pro-ready. The number of routes where he sets up the DB to stagger lunge stumble just fooled out of his cleats is very impressive, it’s what stood out to me in Ladd’s tape last year. He plays a man’s WR, he’ll bully smaller DBs and take their lunch money. Gonna be good!
3. Caldwell - this video shows last 2 years and you see the difference. Someone mentioned this year coaches asked him to bulk up so Harmon could do his work, and he did - much bigger and more inside. But 2 yrs ago you see a lot more 3T work and he’s a dawg. Gonna be a solid DL team member
4. Kennard - dude gets around fast. Key will be his ability to hold an edge. I like him a lot
5. L-S - much more impressed than I was when he was drafted. He’s got skills. Needs to work on setting up DBs to get open but he surprises how well he wins contested catches and how good his hands are while he’s getting hit and harrassed. Flashes that fast speed on several YACs in this clip, I want to see that blaze before he gets the ball too
6. Taylor - He looks ok, not sure special, but moving inside to OG likely helps him. I hear he needs more recovery time, idunno if we see him this year much?
7. Micken - a fucking baller. Dude is born for Safety
8. Bridges - this one intrigues me. 2/3 of his clips here are run support, very little in coverage and really don’t see much to know he’s actually a great cover CB. Its great he likes to hit and plays run with vigor, but I come away not knowing if he can cover NFL receivers. TBD

I love our 2025 class - more than last year’s. Yeah, i do.

I love it all...Taylor is the one underwhelming pick....but its 6th round and the Chargers brain trust knows the trenches better than i do

[dmac_bolt]

What’s so great is they addressed the offensive woes with awesome upgrades and yet right in the middle of the draft got Poona 2.0 in Caldwell and another EDGE guy with Kennard to go into that good rotation. Those were the two spots of real need on the defense and they hit them out of the park. They nailed every position of need and added another playmaker in Mickens late.

I come away thinking the class will be much better than the soon to come “expert” grades that look for sizzle and names give it. These are legit football players at key places that improves our team. I only see 2 Qs but who knows. Herbie’s stable sure has a LOT more firepower.

1. Will Taylor develop into anything? we may not learn until 2026. James needs to come thru and settle Zion down
2. Can Bridges cover NFl receivers? beats me

Late day 3 uncertains are the norm, nothing unusual. But higher up I think Joe and Co nailed it. Mickins could be our late day 3 steal. A great draft gets 4 or more good players, we could come out with 6?

[richpjr]

[richpjr]

[Jack Burton]

I come away thinking the class will be much better than the soon to come “expert” grades that look for sizzle and names give it. These are legit football players at key places that improves our team. I only see 2 Qs but who knows. Herbie’s stable sure has a LOT more firepower.

1. Will Taylor develop into anything? we may not learn until 2026. James needs to come thru and settle Zion down
2. Can Bridges cover NFl receivers? beats me

Late day 3 uncertains are the norm, nothing unusual. But higher up I think Joe and Co nailed it. Mickins could be our late day 3 steal. A great draft gets 4 or more good players, we could come out with 6?

Yeah, those late Q’s don’t pan out and it’s no big loss. That’s where you take those Q’s.
I also like that all the players are in big time programs. And no projects. Just roster building at a high level in this draft.

[Leslie Grossman]

Initial roster prediction Edit: Not my depth chart, photo copied
IMG_4814.jpg

[AK47]

No interior LB drafted. I hope this means Junior Colson's recovery is positive. Dude was a top 3 LB prospect from last year and was doing well in training camp.