We want to welcome back The Scouting Notebook.
The Scouting Notebook will feature prospects to watch during the college football slate. While some may think it’s too early to start talking about the 2026 NFL draft, there’s never a bad time to discuss the future of the Chargers.
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That said, here are the players to watch for in Week 1.
The Chargers could target a wide receiver early in next year’s draft, as Keenan Allen is not expected to play for long, and the jury is still out for Quentin Johnston. So, Los Angeles could use their early selection to find another starter alongside Ladd McConkey and Tre Harris. Tyson is a wideout who causes fits for opposing defenses after the catch, can catch the ball above the rim, and has upside as a blocker. He recorded 75 receptions for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns in his breakout season in 2024.
TE Jack Endries, Texas
The Chargers have yet to establish a long-term plan at the tight end position, so they could resort to the draft to address it. Endries, the California transfer, has strong hands, reliable route running, the ability to make big plays after the catch, and excellent blocking skills. In 2024, he had 56 receptions for 623 yards and two touchdowns. Heading into the 2025 season, Edries will be a reliable target for the highly anticipated Arch Manning.
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WR Antonio Williams, Clemson
Williams is set to be quarterback Cade Klubnik’s top option this season, and with some scouts bullish on Klubnik’s talent, the extra eyes could be beneficial for the 2024 first-team All-ACC honoree. The senior is a proficient separator and route runner who has rare body control that suggests a frame bigger than his 5’11” listing. He’s moved around the formation at Clemson and also has experience as a punt returner, so his value may not be as negatively impacted on the Chargers as other receivers who project best for the slot.
Defensive tackle is probably the deepest room on the Chargers this year, but all but Jamaree Caldwell and Justin Eboigbe are set to be free agents after the 2025 season. If Los Angeles wants to continue reformatting that room rather than going all-in on continuity, the redshirt senior Jackson has shown flashes of game-breaking NFL talent. With a marquee matchup against Alabama on Saturday, Jackson has his first of many opportunities to showcase improved consistency that could push him into the first round conversation.
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EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
The 6’3″, 275 lb Bain is a tale of two players on tape. Against Louisville last season and as a freshman, Bain looks like a potential top-10 pick. But plenty of other game tapes from last year show a player who still has a long way to go before he fully unlocks the talent at his disposal. If he shows more consistency and retains his flashes of power rush moves, he could quickly enter the conversation for the Chargers in the first round as they search for a long-term successor to Khalil Mack alongside Tuli Tuipulotu.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 2026 NFL draft: 5 potential Chargers targets to watch in Week 1