The Los Angeles Chargers, despite their relative lack of pure starpower, now have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL heading into 2026.
Their offense should be poised for a major resurgence under Mike McDaniel, and the weapons they've added this offseason will play a major part in that. On the defensive side of the ball, Chris O'Leary should be able to replicate much of Jesse Minter's zone-heavy dominance with his own, natural tweaks in the expression of the scheme, especially among the front seven.
Joe Hortiz has consistently tried to build out this roster in a sustainable manner. Perusing their depth chart, it's difficult to find anything that could be labeled as a serious hole.
As such, the Chargers' UDFA class has its work cut out for it in attempting to carve out roster spots this offseason. There are pieces like Nadame Tucker and Isaiah World who have real chances to stick. But even with over two months between now and the deadline for roster cuts on Aug 30, it's possible to predict which UDFAs will likely fall short in their battle for a roster spot.
Here are three players (although there are others) whose time with the team may already be running thin.
3 UDFAs that will face an almost impossible battle to make the Chargers' roster
Gregory Desrosiers, RB, Memphis
After redshirting his first two college seasons at Louisville, Desrosiers spent two seasons at Massachusetts and two seasons at Memphis, during which he found modest production. 2025 was his most productive season, which is why he likely was even on the league's UDFA radar in the first place. Across 10 games, Desrosiers took 99 rushing attempts for 563 yards and seven touchdowns. He also tacked on 32 receptions for 228 yards.
Desrosiers was described by The Athletic's Daniel Popper in his UDFA profiles as a player with 'awareness' and 'competitive toughness'. But coming in behind Omarion Hampton, Kimani Vidal, and Keaton Mitchell, Desrosiers has virtually no chance to be anything but a practice squad player as a rookie.
Even beyond that, though, he'll likely be surpassed on the depth chart by third-year running back Jaret Patterson. There's also room for a reunion with Hassan Haskins if he doesn't receive any concrete offers in training camp from other organizations.
Desrosiers is guaranteed just $10,000 on his current contract.
Jahmeer Carter, DT, Virginia
Carter had an impressive (and unusually lengthy) college career at the University of Virginia, playing six seasons and appearing in 10 or more games in five of them. He was never a highly productive member of that defense (his single-season high for solo tackles was 13), but he showed impressive strength and athleticism as his body continued to mature at the college level.
Older prospects usually get less leeway, though, and this could be especially true for Carter. With their additions of Dalvin Tomlinson and Nick Barrett on the interior defensive line this offseason, Los Angeles successfully replenished its depth. Beyond them, TeRah Edwards, Jacobian Guillory, and even former fullback Scott Matlock could be fighting for reps this offseason.
Carter is also guaranteed just $10,000 on his UDFA contract.
Rodney Shelley, CB, Georgia Tech
Shelley is a special case here, simply because the Chargers' current hole at the cornerback position leaves some variables that can't yet be accounted for. If Deane Leonard or Nikko Reed step into the regular defensive rotation or fellow UDFA Avery Smith takes over a role as the backup big nickel behind Derwin James, this situation could change pretty rapidly.
But as of now, it feels like Shelley is a long shot to make the roster. Shelley played almost all of his snaps at outside corner for Georgia Tech in 2025, and he ran a solid 4.45-second 40-yard-dash ahead of the Draft. But at just 5-10 and 182 pounds, he'd have to show quite a bit through OTAs and training camp to catch the eye of defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale.
From a surface-level projection of the depth chart, Shelley is likely the seventh or eighth cornerback on the Chargers' roster currently.
His guarantee for this season is just $5,000.
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