Los Angeles Chargers

Projected Cap Space: $79.2 million

Draft Picks: 5

• 1st (No. 22)
• 2nd (No. 55)
• 3rd (No. 86)
• 4th (No. 123)
• 6th (No. 202)

Notable Free Agents: 

• OLB Khalil Mack
• OLB Odafe Oweh
• G Zion Johnson
• OL Jamaree Salyer
• OT Trey Pipkins
• WR Keenan Allen
• LB Denzel Perryman
• RB Najee Harris
• CB Benjamin St-Juste
• DT Otito Ogbonnia
• S Tony Jefferson
• OT Trevor Penning
• OT Austin Deculus (RFA)
• C Andre James
• DL Da’Shawn Hand
• TE Tyler Conklin
• QB Trey Lance

Top Three Needs

1 – Interior Offensive Line

The loss of both tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt ultimately was too big a blow for the Chargers to recover from. Even though they made the playoffs, they were bounced in a non-competitive loss to the Patriots. Both players should be back and healthy in 2026, which is good news, but the Chargers still need to dedicate resources to the front five. 

Center has been a problem spot for a couple of seasons now. With new OC Mike McDaniel arriving with more of a zone-rushing element, Bozeman is not a viable player in the scheme anymore. An upgrade here is mandatory, and there have already been connections between the Chargers and pending Ravens free agent C Tyler Linderbaum. 

Guard is a potential problem spot too. Veteran G Mekhi Becton took a step back and is a potential cut candidate. Johnson is a pending free agent, though the Chargers have enough money to not be outbid for anyone they want this year. At least one new player will likely be needed here. The Chargers also need to ensure their depth is strong across all five spots, as that was exposed in 2025 as well. 

2 – Edge Rusher

Retaining either Oweh or Mack would go most of the way toward addressing this need for the Chargers. Oweh should be the bigger priority since he’s younger, but because the Chargers are unlikely to use the franchise tag, they’ll have to fend off other suitors once the tampering period begins. 

If he walks, there will be more emphasis on retaining Mack, who seems open to playing for at least another season. It would also make edge rusher more of a long-term need for the Chargers. After a breakout season, OLB Tuli Tuipulotu is a strong extension candidate this offseason. If it’s not Oweh running across from him long-term, the Chargers need to find another answer. 

If both Oweh and Mack come back, the Chargers are in a great spot with rotational rushers behind them. 

3 – Wide Receiver

Secondary was a consideration here, as the 34-year-old Jefferson played over 60 percent of the snaps and is a pending free agent. At cornerback, the Chargers lack big names, but overall, the whole group plays better than the sum of its parts. 

Receiver might sneakily be a bigger consideration. The starting trio of Allen, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston all had their moments last season, to the point where second-rounder Tre’ Harris had a tough time finding looks. But as a group, the limitations were exposed. Allen was best-suited to the slot and led the team in targets and catches. Unfortunately, that’s not necessarily a good thing at this stage of his career. It would not be surprising if the Chargers moved on to try and get more dynamic, barring injuries changing the calculus.

McConkey was less effective than his outstanding rookie year, partially because Allen sucked up snaps from the slot where he’s at his best. He also battled injuries and was worse in contested catch situations. Getting more out of him will be one of McDaniel’s top priorities. 

As for Johnston, he’s come a long way from a disastrous rookie season and actually led the Chargers in receiving touchdowns each of the past two seasons with eight. He’s big, fast and powerful, and the Chargers have done a better job deploying him in situations that take advantage of his strengths and minimize his weaknesses. Those are still there, though, especially his hands. Los Angeles has to decide on his fifth-year option in May, worth $18 million guaranteed for the 2027 season. 

If they decline it, that could make receiver much more of a need than it appears right now. 

One Big Question

How does OC Mike McDaniel maximize QB Justin Herbert?

Herbert has become one of the more polarizing quarterbacks in football right now, which is funny considering how happy he would personally be to be anonymous. Tape grinders and self-professed “ball-knowers” love him and regularly include him with the elite of the elite in QB rankings pieces. His blend of size, speed, accuracy and effortless arm strength is like catnip to a certain segment of the population, and the statistical start to his career has been prolific. Herbert is second all-time in passing yards in a quarterback’s first six seasons, narrowly behind Peyton Manning. 

Yet in the talk show universe, Herbert is a popular target for takes, most centered around his lackluster win/loss record (52-43) or his lack of a playoff victory through six seasons. It hasn’t helped that Herbert has been unusually bad in the postseason. His playoff debut in 2022 was one of the largest collapses in NFL history, with Los Angeles holding a 27-0 lead against the Jaguars at one point. In 2024, he threw four interceptions in a blowout loss to the Texans, and this past postseason, he may have played even worse against the Patriots. 

The truth about Herbert is probably somewhere in the middle here. It’s important, though, that there are zero doubts about him in Los Angeles. Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh raves about him every chance he gets and consistently talks about everyone else on the team needing to elevate to the same level that Herbert is at. 

Enter McDaniel. Longtime Harbaugh confidante Greg Roman called one of the pass-heaviest offenses he’d ever called in his career last year, and Harbaugh still left the playoff loss feeling like he needed to move on from Roman to maximize Herbert and the passing offense. McDaniel has a lot to prove himself after a stretch with the Dolphins that started off hot but ended in disappointment. 

How it all looks is going to be fascinating. The Chargers are built a lot differently than the Dolphins, who McDaniel crafted around speed and the quick release of QB Tua Tagovailoa. He doesn’t have the same speed to work with at the skill positions but he does have a more talented quarterback and a better offensive line. Expectations are already high, too. In early betting lines, the Chargers — not the reigning AFC West champion Broncos or the five Super Bowls in the last seven years Chiefs — were favored to win the division. 

No pressure…