The NFL Draft is the best way to build a championship roster and the LA Chargers have struggled in that department before Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh came to town. While the team has had star players like Justin Herbert and Derwin James fall in its lap, it has also missed the mark in many other rounds, leading to unbalanced and thin rosters.
The first draft class under Hortiz and Harbaugh was received very well by the fanbase. It will take several years for the Chargers to truly reap the benefits of the draft class, but the early feedback has been great.
It is going to take more than one good draft class for the Chargers to rebuild under Harbaugh and Hortiz. Here is the ammunition the team currently in the future.
List of 2025 Chargers draft picks:
- Own first-round pick
- Own second-round pick
- Own third-round pick
- Own fourth-round pick
- Own fifth-round pick
- Own sixth-round pick
- New England Patriots sixth-round pick
- One of own, Browns, or Vikings seventh-round pick
The Chargers have the New England Patriots' sixth-round pick from the J.C. Jackson trade during the 2023 season. In return, the Chargers also shipped a seventh-round pick to the Patriots in the deal but it is unclear which selection the team is trading.
The Chargers also traded Dustin Hopkins to the Cleveland Browns for a 2025 seventh-round pick prior to the 2023 season. In addition to having its own seventh-round pick, Cleveland also owns the Minnesota Vikings' seventh-round pick.
Thus, the Chargers will be trading either their own, the Browns, or the Vikings' seventh-round pick to the Patriots. Regardless of which pick is traded, the team will still have one additional pick in the seventh round.
The Chargers are also currently projected to receive a fifth and two sixth-round compensatory picks from free agency in 2024.
List of 2026 Chargers draft picks:
- Own first-round pick
- Own second-round pick
- Own third-round pick
- Own fourth-round pick
- Own fifth-round pick
- Own sixth-round pick
- Own seventh-round pick
Prior to the 2024 season, the Chargers have not made any moves that will impact the 2026 draft class. That may change throughout the year, especially depending on whether or not the team is a buyer or seller at the deadline.
List of 2027 Chargers draft picks:
- Own first-round pick
- Own second-round pick
- Own third-round pick
- Own fourth-round pick
- Own fifth-round pick
- Own sixth-round pick
- Own seventh-round pick
As is the case with 2026, things are still business as usual for the Chargers with the 2027 NFL Draft. That will almost certainly change with time.