The LA Chargers made one wide receiver selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, taking Brenen Thompson out of Mississippi State. At 4.26 seconds, Thompson ran the fastest 40-yard dash at this year’s combine. While that speed will be what most people immediately notice, there appears to be more to his game than simply beating defensive backs over the top.
NFL legend Steve Smith did a deep dive on Thompson, and Chargers fans may really like what he had to say, including his NFL comparison.
Smith, of course, acknowledged Thompson’s blazing speed. But what should stand out is how he views him as an overall route runner. As a fourth-round pick, there is still work to be done, but the potential is clearly there. In Smith’s words, Thompson is “moldable,” which is exactly what teams look for in a player with his traits.
Smith compared Thompson to Tyreek Hill. That doesn’t mean Thompson is expected to come in and immediately perform at that level. Instead, it speaks to the type of role he could grow into. Early on, he can contribute as a gadget player, make an impact in specific situations, and gradually work his way up the depth chart. As he earns more opportunities, his role in the offense can expand.
Steve Smith compares Chargers' Brenen Thompson to Tyreek Hill
At just 5'9", Thompson is one of the smaller receivers in the league and easily the smallest receiver currently on the Chargers roster. For Smith, that isn’t a concern at all. His size has shaped his play style throughout his career, and it hasn’t stopped him from reaching this point.
Unlike quarterbacks, wide receivers don’t need height to see the field and understand what’s happening. Thompson has already shown the ability to play with that awareness. At this point, his development will come down to how far he can take his skill set at the next level.
One area Smith pointed out, but one that Mike McDaniel may look to expand, is Thompson’s limited usage in the screen game. For a receiver with his speed, you would expect more opportunities catching the ball at the line of scrimmage and working through the second level.
However, with a screen usage rate under three percent in college, it simply wasn’t a major part of his role. In McDaniel’s offense, that could change. Thompson may need to embrace more opportunities with the ball in space, where his speed can translate into explosive plays.
Not being heavily used that way in college actually highlights his versatility as a receiver, but adapting to what the Chargers need could unlock another layer of his game.
Thompson brings a level of speed that Chargers fans rarely get to see. If he can develop the rest of his game alongside it, there’s a real path for him to become a meaningful piece of the offense. As Smith’s breakdown suggests, there’s plenty to be excited about with what the Chargers added in the fourth round.
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