It's the calm before the storm ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Not only will there be 250 new players in the NFL courtesy of April's showcase, but teams like the LA Chargers will utilize the post-draft landscape to bring in even more talent.
It's common for there to be another wave of free-agent signings after the draft. Free agents no longer count toward the compensatory formula and teams have a better idea of remaining roster needs depending on who falls to them in the draft.
With $48.6 million in cap space, the second-most in the NFL, the Chargers are in a prime position to be impact players in free agency after the draft. And without even knowing who will fall to the Chargers in the draft, we have an idea on who the Bolts may be eyeing in free agency.
3 free agents the Chargers may sign after the 2026 NFL Draft:
Keenan Allen
It's a bit odd that the NFL Draft is right around the corner and Keenan Allen remains unsigned. This is the same song and dance the Chargers did last year with Allen, except this time, he has already proven he can still have an impact catching passes from Justin Herbert.
What makes the entire situation weirder is that GM Joe Hortiz has outright said the Chargers want to bring Allen back this offseason. Perhaps things changed when the team hired Mike McDaniel? Maybe the two sides are too far apart on money?
Regardless, Allen has made it clear he only wants to play in Los Angeles, making this delay even stranger. The Chargers could just be holding out just in case an impact receiver falls to them in the draft. If not, at that point the Bolts could potentially pivot to re-signing Allen.
It's a strange situation that theoretically should have had a resolution by now. It should, hopefully, resolve itself after the draft.
Darren Waller
Darren Waller returned to the NFL after a multi-year hiatus and put up legitimate numbers for McDaniel's Miami Dolphins. The veteran tight end came back and caught four touchdown passes in his first three games back.
Tight end is quietly still a roster need for the Chargers and Waller would be the perfect option to button up the position. Los Angeles already has its main pass catcher in Oronde Gadsden II, it already has its blocking specialist in Charlie Kolar, now it just needs the secondary pass-catching option.
It makes all the sense in the world for Waller to follow McDaniel to LA. He already knows the offensive system and would get to compete for a Super Bowl while living in sunny Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the Chargers can fill out the room with a low-stakes, one-year deal.
Unlike Allen, Waller does factor into the comp formula. It makes perfect sense why the Chargers are potentially waiting to bring him in.
Rasul Douglas
Cornerback is another position that is getting slightly overlooked as a need for the Bolts. To be fair, it's easy to overlook the position as a need when you have young studs like Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart leading the way. But still, the Chargers need one more impactful guy in coverage.
This is a case of the Chargers waiting to see what they will get in the NF Draft. There is no need to sign a veteran cornerback if the right player falls to the Chargers early in the draft. That being said, the Chargers still need to have a backup plan and Douglas is the right guy.
The veteran wideout is still more than serviceable in coverage, earning a 72.6 grade from Pro Football Focus last season. Douglas almost primarily plays on the outside, which is exactly what the Chargers need in the team's cornerback rotation.
Benjamin St-Juste revived his career in Los Angeles and the Chargers are yet to replace him. It makes sense to see what is available in the draft as long as the Bolts can actually land Douglas if the right corner doesn't come via the draft.
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