Obviously, the injury to Tyler Biadasz is the primary concern on every fan of the Los Angeles Chargers' minds right now.
If he's down for the season, the landscape of this rookie class has changed pretty dramatically. Slaughter will need to take over as the team's starting center, and a fresh roster spot may suddenly have opened up for Alex Harkey and Logan Taylor to compete for.
But until we know what the true extent of Biadasz's injury is, all of this is just projection. Let's focus on what we know currently heading into the matchup with the San Francisco 49ers— it's time to check in with the rookies as we round out Week 3 of training camp.
1. Akheem Mesidor, EDGE
Mesidor has consistently impressed with his work ethic and on-field intensity during training camp, and that picture hasn't changed much heading into this second preseason matchup. He played just nine snaps in the Chargers' preseason opener against the Houston Texans, and although Jim Harbaugh complimented him on his effort, he didn't put up a pressure in that limited workload.
While the roster battle between Nadame Tucker, Kyle Kennard, and Bud Dupree takes shape behind him, expect Mesidor to continue to establish himself as the complementary pass rusher the Chargers need.
Verdict: Stock Up
2. Jake Slaughter, G
Even before the injury to Biadasz, Slaughter's trajectory seemed to be pointing up. Although he started the Chargers' preseason opener at center, he quickly acquitted himself when he shifted over to left guard. He held his own against a pair of strong defensive tackles in Kayden McDonald and Dominic Bailey, allowing just one pressure on 31 pass-blocking snaps.
It was still too soon to tell whether Slaughter could win out in the left guard competition. But even if Biadasz ends up missing a limited amount of time, the second-round selection is almost certainly cemented as a Week 1 starter for Los Angeles now.
Verdict: Buy Now
3. Brenen Thompson, WR
Thompson didn't show out in the Chargers' preseason opener, posting just two receptions for 30 yards on six targets. But he's steadily impressed during camp with his speed and quick acclimation to the offense, and he did flash some steadiness at the catch point with a contested grab in the first quarter of the Texans matchup.
Thompson has always been a roster lock, and the solidifed departure of Keenan Allen means that there will certainly be some work out of the slot for him this season. We'll wait to see what he can accomplish in the Chargers' second preseason matchup, but it's reasonable to expect him to get some extended reps over the remainder of camp.
Verdict: Hold Steady
4. Travis Burke, OT
Burke was one of the most significant risers of the Chargers' first preseason game, and he's continued to carry that momentum into the second week of camp. He allowed two pressures on 30 pass-blocking snaps, but he put the full range of his athleticism and footwork on display, logging a series of solid reps against a Texans pass rush that, even with its starters out, certainly had teeth.
Trey Pipkins III is cemented as the Chargers' swing tackle for 2026, but the selection of Burke in the fourth round is looking better every day.
Verdict: Stock Up
5. Genesis Smith, S
In one sense, the picture we have of Smith hasn't changed since the last time we checked in on the rookies. We don't have a very clear idea of where the position battle for the third safety spot—being waged between Smith, RJ Mickens, and Tony Jefferson—currently lies.
But Smith flashed his ball-hawking abilities with a near-miraculous interception in the end zone against the Texans, and he'll have the chance to do so again against San Francisco. His tackling has also looked vastly improved since the start of training camp, and he's continuing to ease any concerns about his physicality that he carried with him into the league. His stock is up, but we'll need to wait and see if he's able to supplant Mickens and Jefferson on the depth chart.
Verdict: Stock Up
6. Nick Barrett, DT
It's not as though Barrett has been sub-par in training camp. He's provided exactly what the Chargers expected him to— and he's established himself as a potentially versatile rotational piece along the defensive line.
But the rest of his counterparts—including Jamaree Caldwell, Justin Eboigbe, and Teair Tart—continue to impress on a daily basis in their 11-on-11 reps. If both Eboigbe and Caldwell are slated for larger roles under Chris O'Leary, it's hard to envision a path to significant snaps for Barrett in his rookie campaign.
Verdict: Stock Down
7. Logan Taylor, OG/OT
Although Logan Taylor played a significant portion of his college career at tackle, he was expected to kick inside to guard at the NFL level as a result of his lack of pure lateral athleticism. The selection of both him and Alex Harkey in the sixth round made sense in that context— even if both ultimately ended up on the practice squad, they would provide the Chargers with much needed depth on the interior.
But Taylor has taken ample reps at tackle during training camp, and he saw all of his snaps on the right side during the Chargers' preseason opener, allowing just one pressure on 33 pass-blocking opportunities and looking solid in the run game. Does flexibility between tackle and guard increase Taylor's chances of making the roster? That remains to be seen.
But he's started to acquit himself as a tackle in Mike McDaniel's blocking scheme, and that's a positive development for the Day 3 pick.
Verdict: Stock Up (?)
8. Alex Harkey, OG
Harkey's stock exists essentially in a converse relationship with Taylor's. Even if we assume Biadasz is out for the season, Los Angeles still has 13 linemen competing for what will ultimately be just nine or 10 roster spots.
Harkey saw some limited run in the Chargers' preseason opener, and he performed relatively well. But if Taylor has established himself as a more versatile option, it's hard to see how Harkey ultimately fits onto the 53-man roster.
Verdict: Stock Down
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