The Los Angeles Chargers had a strong showing in the 2026 NFL Draft, executing a series of draft-day trades that netted ample late-round capital and filling a number of roster needs in the process.
But their UDFA class should not go unnoticed. One of the primary aims of this offseason should have been providing new defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary with ample depth to try to replicate Jesse Minter's dominance. With the additions of Nadame Tucker and Lander Barton after the Draft, they may have given him two new pieces to work with. Tucker played under O'Leary at Western Michigan, and Barton has the pedigree to crack the roster as an additional inside linebacker alongside Junior Colson.
But Los Angeles' most intriguing UDFA pickup is one who likely won't even play a snap in 2026. Isaiah World, the offensive tackle out of Oregon, tore his ACL in the College Football Playoffs. Still, Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic had him ranked as the Chargers' best fit from their UDFA class. Here's what he had to say:
"World (6-5, 323, with 34 1/2-inch arms) has the traits of a top-100 player, and he delivers a bunch of explosion out of his stance. He played four years at Nevada before one in the Big Ten. His technique is erratic, but if anyone can spin a project like World into gold, it’s Jim Harbaugh (and new offensive line coach Butch Barry)." Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic
While it might be unfair to put these kinds of expectations on an undrafted player coming into the league with a serious injury, Baumgardner's assessment is correct. World has the traits to be a serious weapon for the Chargers moving forward, and there will be a spotlight on him even if he sits out his rookie season.
Isaiah World has all of the traits to be a massively underrated pickup for the Chargers
There are concerns that must be acknowledged about World's long-term health outlook and his ability to compete for an NFL roster spot when he does eventually get healthy. They're the reason he went undrafted in the first place.
But we have a full four years of data on World, including one season at one of the best programs in college football. Across 380 pass-blocking snaps with the Ducks in 2025, World allowed just 11 pressures and one sack, per Pro Football Focus. He's got the size and the physical tools to be a serious anchor at the NFL level, but there are inconsistencies in his technique and footwork that will need to be addressed.
It's likely that the Chargers retain World on the roster in some fashion but use his rookie campaign as a sort of 'redshirt' year.
On a similar note, the Chargers' new offensive line coach, Butch Barry, has much to prove in 2026. He did a solid job with the talent he had at his disposal in Miami, but he'll essentially be working with an entirely new offensive line compared to what Los Angeles put on the field in 2025. There will be some kinks to be ironed out, but he should be the right man for the job under Mike McDaniel's scheme.
If this regime endures more than one season in Los Angeles (which is highly likely), World will be in prime position to resume his development during his second season.
The Chargers also added another lengthy tackle in Travis Burke out of Memphis in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. The hope is that he will be able to compete with Trey Pipkins III for the swing tackle spot out of the gate.
But even while that battle is ongoing, and Los Angeles plays out the 2026 season without World active, it's clear there will be a spotlight on the young tackle, whether those expectations come fairly or not.
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