Chargers 2026 Nfl Draft: A Close Look At Their Three Picks So Far

Chargers separator rusher Akheem Mesidor holds a squad jersey during a news convention successful El Segundo connected Friday.

(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

6-3, 259 pounds | Miami | Round 1, Pick 22

Notable: One of only six Canadian-born players ever selected successful nan first information of nan NFL draft. Mesidor had a monster tally pinch Miami successful nan College Football Playoff, finishing pinch 5½ sacks and 17 full tackles. He besides had 2 sacks successful nan nationalist title game.

Last season: Mesidor led nan Atlantic Coast Conference pinch 12½ sacks and his 17½ tackles for nonaccomplishment was second-best successful nan conference. He was a first squad All-ACC action and a second-team All-American. He vanished 2025 pinch nan sixth-best defense people (92.5) by Pro Football Focus and had nan third-best tally defense people (88.3) among FBS separator rushers.

Why nan Chargers drafted him: Odafe Oweh’s departure successful free agency near nan Chargers pinch a glaring request for a walk rusher who could study down nan 35-year-old Khalil Mack and yet capable successful a starting domiciled alongside Tuli Tuipulotu. With coach Jim Harbaugh and caller protect coordinator Chris O’Leary much aliases little keeping nan aforesaid defense Jesse Minter oversaw past play that relied connected predominant rotations astatine nan position, it was captious for nan Chargers to bring successful a 3rd walk rusher tin of seeing plentifulness of snaps. At 25, nan Chargers will dream he’ll beryllium a speedy learner.

Florida halfway Jake Slaughter gets group during a crippled against Kentucky successful 2024.

(Gary McCullough / Associated Press)

6-4, 303 pounds | Florida | Round 2, Pick 63

Notable: Slaughter was a finalist for nan 2025 Rimington Trophy, which goes to nan apical halfway successful assemblage football. He was a two-time All-American and three-year starter astatine Florida.

Last season: Slaughter, 23, classed 18th among FBS centers successful walk artifact people (84.1) and 3rd successful tally artifact people (80.2) successful 2025, per Pro Football Focus. Over 748 snaps past season, he allowed 4 full pressures, 1 sack and 1 deed connected his measurement to earning All-Southeastern convention honors.

Why nan Chargers drafted him: Despite Slaughter playing arsenic a halfway successful college, nan Chargers are assured he tin compete pinch Trevor Penning for a starting occupation astatine near guard. The Chargers for illustration his versatility astatine some defender positions and center, offering them a imaginable starter astatine either position and much-needed depth. After past season’s struggles to protect backmost Justin Herbert successful nan aftermath of injuries to Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, it makes cleanable consciousness Harbaugh and wide head Joe Hortiz would usage a Day 2 prime to widen their elasticity connected nan violative line.

Mississippi State wide receiver Brenen Thompson scores a touchdown against Texas successful October.

(Justin Ford / Getty Images)

5-9, 164 pounds | Mississippi State | Round 4, Pick 105

Notable: Thompson ran 1 of nan quickest 40-yard dashes nan NFL scouting harvester astatine 4.26 seconds, pinch a 10-yard divided clip of 1.54. He started his profession astatine Texas successful 2022, past played 2 seasons astatine Oklahoma earlier transferring to Mississippi State successful 2025.

Last season: The 22-year-old led nan SEC successful receiving pinch 1,054 yards and six touchdowns.

Why nan Chargers drafted him: Finding different imaginable receiving action for Herbert was among nan Chargers’ second-tier priorities heading into nan draught aft separator rusher and nan violative line. With nan squad not re-signing Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston struggling to supply consistency, it was important for nan Chargers to adhd different group of hands to nan receivers’ room. As a imaginable No. 3 receiver, Thompson’s beardown straightline velocity and accelerated guidance disconnected nan statement could support secondaries honorable and thief free up Ladd McConkey and Johnston successful Mike McDaniel’s offense.