The Los Angeles Chargers have done a solid job this offseason of filling their needs on the margins of the offense. Although there are questions surrounding their left guard spot and Cole Strange's viability as a starting right guard, their signings of Keaton Mitchell and Charlie Kolar should be major boons to the style of offense they want to implement.
If Mike McDaniel can truly harness the weapons the Chargers have available, we could be in for a major turnaround in 2026.
But as the first wave of free agency comes to an end, Los Angeles still has a major question to answer about the construction of their receiving corps. Quentin Johnston's fifth-year option must be decided upon this offseason, and it remains possible that he's traded away. Keenan Allen also remains a free agent.
Beyond that, Ladd McConkey, Tre' Harris, and Keandre Lambert-Smith constitute the meat of Los Angeles's receiving weapons. Even if Allen is brought back, there could be a surprising door opened for the Chargers in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
It's not the most likely scenario, but it's worth keeping an eye on wide receiver for the Chargers with their selection at 22nd overall.
Chargers could spring for an offensive weapon in the first round in back-to-back drafts
In 2025, Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers gave the league a bit of a shock in springing for Omarion Hampton at 22nd overall. Although Hampton missed much of his rookie season with an ankle injury, his presence will soon pay major dividends for the team.
In a deep wide receiver class, there is the potential for Los Angeles to take the same path in 2026.
Vincent Bonsignore of the New York Post, for example, has the Chargers selecting Denzel Boston out of Washington in his most recent mock draft. As a bulky X-receiver with excellent ball skills, Boston would be a perfect replacement for Johnston's skill-set. But the options for Los Angeles extend far beyond that.
The 2026 draft class has at least five receivers with a first-round grade. Carnell Tate will likely be a lottery pick, and Makai Lemon will go well before the Chargers are able to select him. But beyond that, things are up in the air.
Boston, Jordan Tyson, and Omar Cooper Jr. are all highly-touted receiver prospects who could go near the end of the first round. Even players such as Germie Bernard and Chris Brazzell II would not be major reaches in that range if a team has an immediate use for their skill-set.
In all likelihood, the Chargers will go for an offensive guard or a defensive lineman in the first round. But if Olaivavega Ioane is off the board and Los Angeles feels they can fill out their defensive depth on Day 2, selecting an explosive receiver is not entirely out of the realm of possibility.