The Los Angeles Chargers, despite the way their season has gone so far, have actually had a bit of a silver lining in their rookie class.
Akheem Mesidor has looked like the additional pass rush option Los Angeles needs alongside Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack. He's posted six total pressures and three sacks through three games. Genesis Smith, for his part, broke out with a two-interception performance against the Buffalo Bills, helping to hold down the safety room in the absence of Elijah Molden. Jake Slaughter, even, has looked solid relative to expectations when you consider what he's had to face in adjusting to the NFL level.
But the developments don't stop there, nor should our analysis.
While defensive tackle Nick Barrett's snap share has been limited through three weeks as he finds his niche behind Teair Tart, Justin Eboigbe, and Jamaree Caldwell, he's shown steady improvement in each of his NFL appearances. Los Angeles doesn't need Barrett to be an immediate draft hit, but he deserves his flowers for the way he's stepped into his role so far.
Nick Barrett may become a sneakily important contributor for the Chargers by the end of the season
Of all the swings the Chargers took in the 2026 NFL Draft, Barrett was perhaps the least intriguing. That's not a knock on his game in any sense of the term. It's simply that, with Tart, Eboigbe, and Caldwell in the fold, the selection Barrett seemed simply like a best player available swing. It didn't fill an immediate need, and Barrett wasn't the type of prospect that seemed like he would make an outsized impact as a rookie.
But with the way the defense as a whole has struggled to find its footing so far this season, it's been the interior defensive line that has delivered the most consistent performance across the first three weeks. While Barrett hasn't taken on an outsized role in that production, he's been a solid addition to that room.
After seeing just eight snaps (all of which came against the run) in Week 1, Barrett's snap share was elevated to 14 in Week 2 and 18 in Week 3. He posted a pressure in each of those latter two matchups, and he's flashed his staunch tackling abilities and steady, downhill athleticism whenever he's gotten the opportunity. He's also taken 17 snaps lined up over an opposing tackle this season, a solid sign that he's accomplishing whatever Chris O'Leary is looking for in his wide alignment-focused trenches attack.
For what it's worth, the Chargers have all three of Tart, Eboigbe, and Caldwell under team control through at least next season, with Tart and Caldwell under contract through 2028. Given the way each of those players has performed, especially in the pass rush, it's still hard to see a true path for Barrett to earn a starting opportunity before we reach the final season of his rookie contract.
But a draft-and-develop approach for any organization also extends to its depth pieces, especially on the defensive side of the ball. For a fifth-round selection, Barrett seems to be quietly establishing himself as a somewhat notable draft win for Los Angeles.
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