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

[dmac_bolt]

Eboigbe as wasted pick? Hortiz said that he was a project. That's code for we don't expect much from him in his 1st year because he has some weaknesses that need to be fixed before he is pro ready, but we believe the ceiling is high for this player.

This is the year we find out of Joe and Co are actually superior scouts or, like TT, just are monkeys throwing darts. TT drafted many projects that after 4 years of dev were almost backup level talent. Everyone assumed coaches didn’t develop them, maybe or maybe that was their development.

If Eb blooms this year, it’s a hugely positive sign for our future …

[richpjr]

Everyone assumed coaches didn’t develop them, maybe or maybe that was their development.

I think it was shaky drafting and bad coaching.

[electricgold]

This is the year we find out of Joe and Co are actually superior scouts or, like TT, just are monkeys throwing darts. TT drafted many projects that after 4 years of dev were almost backup level talent. Everyone assumed coaches didn’t develop them, maybe or maybe that was their development.

If Eb blooms this year, it’s a hugely positive sign for our future …

So far post draft Joe has signed:

Nyheim Hines -RB
JaQuae Jackson-WR
Jordan Petaia-TE *. Pre draft
Kana'i Mauga-LB
Ryan Nelson-OL

Wonder if any of these players make us better? The post draft signings last season were a little more drastic so far!

[Boltjolt]

Day 7 Poppper report. Great reading about IDL, hopefully it isn't because our IOL just plain sucks....



EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers entered training camp believing they had improved the depth of their interior defensive line. As the physicality increased Thursday in the second padded practice of camp, that belief turned into reality.

The interior defensive linemen were the playmakers of Thursday’s practice. They created penetration and controlled the line of scrimmage in the run game. They were repeatedly in the backfield as pass rushers. And the disruption was not limited to one or two players. Six interior defensive linemen made impactful plays between run and pass situations.

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“There’s five, six, seven guys that can all play,” defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said. “They can all do the things that we want them to do.”

Teair Tart was the first interior defensive lineman to flash. Tart re-signed with the Chargers on a one-year deal this offseason, and he has a chance to graduate from a reliable rotation piece to a productive full-time starter. On the third play of 11-on-11, Tart pressured quarterback Justin Herbert while one-on-one with right guard Mekhi Becton.

In the next team period, the Chargers focused on the run game. They call these periods nine-on-seven. Offensive line, tight ends, fullbacks, running backs and quarterbacks against interior defensive linemen, edge rushers, inside linebackers and safeties. All running plays. On the first play of this period, quarterback DJ Uiagalelei handed off to Omarion Hampton. Tart surged through the line of scrimmage and squared up Hampton just after the exchange. The Chargers were not tackling to the ground, but it was clearly a tackle for loss.

“He’s really being pushed to the front of that group, which is awesome to see,” Minter said of Tart. “He’s got a great personality, and he wants to be really good. He’s working really hard. He’s doing a lot of extra to try to even enhance his play and enhance his conditioning.”
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Minter later added: “For the first time for him, (he is) in a place where he’s really comfortable, where he knows what we expect out of him. He knows the defense going into his second year, and really (is) able to let his ability shine. He’s very talented. He’s got a lot of ability.”

Second-year defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe was a difference-maker in the run game all practice. He stuffed running back Kimani Vidal in nine-on-seven. Later in 11-on-11, with the offense backed up close to its own goal line, Eboigbe came off the ball and drove tackle Ryan Nelson into the backfield. The penetration obstructed running back Hassan Haskins. Eboigbe earned some encouragement from defensive line coach Mike Elston after that play.

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Eboigbe then had a tackle for loss on a Vidal handoff closer to the end of practice. He also created penetration on a Jaret Patterson run up the middle.

Eboigbe, a 2024 fourth-round pick, only played 26 defensive snaps last season. But he put on weight in the offseason, and now that added mass is translating to far more power in the run game.

“The weight has helped him,” Minter said. “He’s been dominant in there at times in different techniques, and I think he’s just got confidence. … When you see that work translate to the field and to how he’s playing, that’s really gratifying for a player, where the hard work that they put in shows up and allows them to play better than they played the year before.”

Chargers’ second-year defensive end Justin Eboigbe has bulked up and looks ready for an increased role. (Kirby Lee / Imagn Images)

Third-year defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia appears to have substantially improved his get-off as a pass rusher. He had one of the most impressive wins of the one-on-one period in Tuesday’s padded practice in San Diego, torching rookie guard Branson Taylor on a swim move. In 11-on-11 on Thursday, Ogbonnia shot through the line and combined on a sack with edge rusher Bud Dupree. (Dupree had two sacks in practice.) After both Ogbonnia and Dupree halted their rushes to prevent contact, Taylor Heinicke attempted an ill-advised throw over the middle that was picked off by cornerback Donte Jackson.

In a later 11-on-11 period, Ogbonnia had a quick pressure on guard Jamaree Salyer that forced a throwaway from Heinicke.

“That’s another guy that can make a big jump,” Minter said of Ogbonnia.

The Chargers lost interior defensive linemen Poona Ford and Morgan Fox in free agency. They signed Da’Shawn Hand and Naquan Jones, and they drafted Jamaree Caldwell in the third round. Ogbonnia is entering his third season with the Chargers and second under Minter and coach Jim Harbaugh. The added competition has only fueled Ogbonnia.

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“He’s embraced it,” Minter said. “Just really the epitome of what you want.”

Caldwell had a pressure on a bull rush and also showed off his strong anchor on a run stuff later in practice. Jones had a shed-and-stuff on a third-and-3 handoff to running back Nyheim Hines. Christopher Hinton even joined the party with a shed-and-stuff of his own on a second-down Vidal rush.

“That group as a whole is big, physical and understanding how we want them to play,” Minter said. News and notes


• Chargers who did not practice Thursday: tackle Rashawn Slater, edge rusher Khalil Mack, safety Derwin James, cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, safety Tony Jefferson, cornerback Deane Leonard, running back Raheim Sanders, receiver Luke Grimm, tight end McCallan Castles, edge rusher Kylan Guidry, receiver Brenden Rice, receiver Jalen Reagor and edge rusher Garmon Randolph.

• Tight end Oronde Gadsden had a really encouraging block in the nine-on-seven period, sealing off the right edge on an outside run that cleared a big hole for Hines. Gadsden also had a third-down conversion reception from Herbert on an out route, beating safety Jaylen Jones. And the rookie caught an explosive pass off play action from Uiagalelei on an over route. Gadsden has proven at this point that he can be an impactful pass catcher at this level. What he shows as a blocker will dictate how much he plays this season. The block on the edge in the nine-on-seven period was a notable step forward.

• On that explosive pass to Gadsden, Vidal stepped up into a vacated gap and was stout in pass protection on a free rusher. Vidal struggled in pass protection as a rookie. On this play, he looked more comfortable, confident and capable in that phase.

• Linebacker Junior Colson had perhaps his best practice of camp so far. He had two run stuffs in the nine-on-seven period. Later in 11-on-11, Colson showed some savvy on a second-down blitz. He delayed his rush, pausing just long enough to fool the offense’s protection and get a free run on Heinicke. The pads will be on more regularly now, and Colson should provide some heated competition for Denzel Perryman, who has been the second linebacker next to Daiyan Henley with the first-team defense.

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“I’ve seen him playing really fast, him playing downhill, physical,” Minter said of Colson. “He made a bunch of plays today. I see him just getting his confidence growing, and part of it is also just the other players’ confidence in him is growing, which I think is cool to see. He’s playing great, and he’ll be right there. It’ll be fun to watch it shake out.”



• Henley continues to ascend as he enters his third season and second as a starter. He had a tackle for loss on the second play of the nine-on-seven period. On the next play, he beat tight end Will Dissly for a stuff on Patterson.

• Patterson had the first explosive run of camp for the Chargers offense. He gained the edge on a run to the outside right in 11-on-11 and took off down the sideline for a 30-yard gain.

• Rookie Stevo Klotz got some snaps at fullback with the third-team offense. The fullback job is still Scott Matlock’s to lose. Klotz also caught two passes in the two-minute drill from Uiagalelei — one on an out and one on a slant. The slant resulted in a third-down conversion that moved the offense firmly in field goal range.

• Undrafted rookie cornerback Nikko Reed picked off Uiagalelei in 11-on-11 and returned the interception for a touchdown. Reed has been a mainstay on the second-team defense and appears on track to lock up a practice squad spot. “He’s got a chance,” Minter said of Reed.

• The Chargers held a third-down seven-on-seven period in the red zone. Rookie receiver Tre’ Harris caught a 6-yard touchdown from Herbert on a crossing route, beating cornerback Cam Hart. Quentin Johnston caught a 4-yard touchdown from Herbert on an inside-breaking route, finding space between Perryman and safety Alohi Gilman in the back of the end zone. Tight end Tyler Conklin caught an 11-yard touchdown from quarterback Trey Lance, winning a jump ball against rookie defensive back Myles Purchase.

• Edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu was working with the first-team punt unit during special teams drills.

As much as that sounds great for us for the defense, it is equally not good for our IOL which still has Bozeman and Zion on it. I realize Slater wasnt present but just gives me flashback to Houston DL pushing our OL around.
Just think it was a big mistake to not address OC better than they have.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Yes, I meant I hope its not a reflection of our future starting OL in the regular season

Whats up with Slater, is he pulling a soft hold out, is he hurt - I haven’t heard boo but he hasn’t participated in several days …

We assume Tart flourishes, Tito blossoms and Egb bloooms etc based on what they do against our OL. If those 3 were beating the shit out of a pop warner squad, you wouldn’t assume they are great, right? Is it really a good measure, is my question. It shall remain unanswered for now …

Two excellent coaches, Minter and Elston, are very confident in and excited about this group...thats enough for me.

Let remember, Poona Ford was a nobody journeyman signed for cheap last year we all expected little out of until these coaches got him in their system. He should be thanking Minter for his payday

[dmac_bolt]

I don't think coach, Joe, and Minter let Ford go without feeling comfortable about their plan, Tart flashed last year and this year they plan to lean on him heavily like they did Ford, Otito and Egboibe have continued to develop, then they drafted Campbell and signed Jones and Hand...I think the have a plan and they earned my trust last year so I have no reason to doubt that the defense will be really good...

I think they wanted him, just not at the price he got elsewhere.

[CanadianBoltFan]

As much as that sounds great for us for the defense, it is equally not good for our IOL which still has Bozeman and Zion on it. I realize Slater wasnt present but just gives me flashback to Houston DL pushing our OL around.
Just think it was a big mistake to not address OC better than they have.

Yep, that is the one worry lingering around IOL..everything else is feeling good

[CanadianBoltFan]

I think they wanted him, just not at the price he got elsewhere.

Think thats true

[dmac_bolt]

Two excellent coaches, Minter and Elston, are very confident in and excited about this group...thats enough for me.

Let remember, Poona Ford was a nobody journeyman signed for cheap last year we all expected little out of until these coaches got him in their system. He should be thanking Minter for his payday

I thought most of us were pleased with the signing. Agree we may not have expected as much as we got, but many here expected he’d help solve a glaring hole in the roster so it at least wasn’t a focal point of weakness.

idunno, we’d have to replay the tape and thats not like me to do that lol…

[Chargers8491]

At this point they have 6 guys they like, they're all young, and 4 of them already have some decent experience under their belts, plus we've seen rookie WRs break out early before, there is no reason why Harris and KLS wouldn't be part of that group, matter of fact, guys like QJ that take three years to develop are kind of becoming the exception now...it's boom or bust almost all the time...I was reading that the Patriots might already be releasing Ja'lynn Polk and a few people on this forum that were down on the trade up for Ladd on draft day, some of these folks believed that NE got the better of the trade on draft day...

Agreed. With that said QJ needs to have a really good year this year if expects to stick around. Hortiz appears to be hitting on a lot of his draft picks, and they didn't draft QJ. I believe QJ will be fine but he really needs to take another big leap this year.

I don't know if you saw Ladd's presser, but he had a lot of great things to say about QJ.

[dmac_bolt]

Yep, that is the one worry lingering around IOL..everything else is feeling good

Defense progresses faster is true, as someone posted. We have to hope thats all it is because if every DT on your squad looks like an unblockable all-pro at the end of camp … uh …

I want to know whats up with Sitting Slater still. Awaiting TPB’s sleuth reporters to leap into action here and put my mind at ease.

[dmac_bolt]

Agreed. With that said QJ needs to have a really good year this year if expects to stick around. Hortiz appears to be hitting on a lot of his draft picks, and they didn't draft QJ. I believe QJ will be fine but he really needs to take another big leap this year.

I don't know if you saw Ladd's presser, but he had a lot of great things to say about QJ.

Teammates being teammates and coaches praising players … all par for the course. We’ve seen more stellar play clips from him this camp but we also have seen a few very basic mental lapses on tape. It seems like the rate is less but he’s gotta learn faster how to eliminate mental-caused drops completely because the mental part gets more magnified and pressurized in real games, and intensified the most when it matters the most in the biggest moments of the biggest games. Anti-clutch must be eradicated from his mind.

We all remember that critical 3rd down 5 yard wide open crossing route drop where Herbie put it right on his hands and piercing the 1 on his chest in the HOU game, that play was a difference maker and not in a good way. We saw that same drop just the other day on a clip - right in the middle of his chest, could not be handed to him in a better spot.

Cmon Q - get that pro level focus, mind of steel that is required, good sir, you can do it!