Mandatory minicamp is underway for the Los Angeles Chargers, which means the team is putting the finishing touches on their offseason program before going on break until training camp. One of the best parts about this spring period is seeing the rookies get acclimated to the NFL, and getting excited about their futures.
While it’s still pretty early, the Chargers definitely have some rookies who are generating excitement. One of those rookies is safety Genesis Smith, and the young defensive back already has people talking.
On Wednesday, Chargers’ new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary raved about Smith, saying the at the safety has natural ball skills and quarterback-like anticipation. That has already helped the safety take the ball away in practice, and Los Angeles believes these skills will help Smith emerge as a playmaker during the season.
Chargers DC Chris O’Leary on S Genesis Smith: “The ball skills, the anticipation, he’s a natural.”
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) June 17, 2026
“QB anticipation-there’s a feel and a nuance…he’s had some flashes for us.”
Smith had an interception on Trey Lance yesterday.
Chargers rookie safety Genesis Smith is already impressing
Smith was a fourth-round pick in the 2026 Draft, and he was L.A.’s third pick of the fourth round and the team’s fifth-overall selection of the draft. If he can emerge as a contributor from day one, that would be incredible value for a player who was selected with the 131st pick.
There seems to be a belief internally that Smith can immediately be a playmaker, and others outside the Chargers’ building share that belief as well. In a recent CBS Sports piece, NFL writer Josh Edwards listed Smith as one of 10 rookies in the AFC who could surprise fans in 2026.
Edwards explained that Smith is competing with Tony Jefferson and Elijah Molden, and has a good chance to emerge as the team’s starter at free safety, next to Derwin James. If the rookie safety can continue to make plays like he already has, the likelihood of that happening will be really high.
Genesis Smith played his college career at Arizona, playing just three seasons. In those three years, the safety recorded five interceptions and four forced fumbles, while adding 164 tackles, and 14 pass deflections. Those numbers came in 37 total games.
The young safety will now try to develop into a day-one contributor for the Chargers and emerge as a defensive playmaker.
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