The Chargers took eight players in the 2026 NFL Draft.
There are many who believe draft grades are foolish because if the player who received a “D” turns out to be an All-Pro, it doesn’t necessarily correlate with the letter grade given.
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So rather than going through all of that, why not hand out some awards in a different fashion?
Best value pick: OT Travis Burke
The Chargers landed a high-upside, long-armed tackle out of Memphis in the fourth round via trade-up. Burke brings elite size and length at 6-foot-9 and 315 pounds. He’s a solid athlete with the skillset to develop into a reliable swing tackle, giving L.A. valuable insurance and competition behind Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater.
At 25 years old, Mesidor was one of the oldest first-round picks in recent memory, but turn on his tape and the explosiveness jumps off the screen. He possesses a pro-ready first step, a diverse pass-rush arsenal, and the quickness to stress offensive linemen. The Chargers needed another refined element on the edge after losing Odafe Oweh in free agency, and Mesidor slides in as a natural third rusher and sub-package specialist alongside Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack.
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Best scheme fit: WR Brenen Thompson
Thompson is the ideal weapon for offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s scheme, which prioritizes pre-snap motion and yards-after-catch potential. Thompson’s ability to take the top off a defense or turn a quick screen into a touchdown adds a dynamic the team has lacked. In an offense built on timing and spacing, Thompson’s world-class acceleration makes him the ideal piece to stress opposing defenses.
Day 3 pick most likely to start: S Genesis Smith
The Chargers are going to utilize a lot of three-safety looks, with Derwin James Jr. playing closer to the line of scrimmage. Elijah Molden will be the other starter. Smith, the rookie out of Arizona, could be the deep-field safety in those sets. While he needs to work on his tackling consistency, Smith’s ball-hawking instincts and range make him a legitimate threat for the starting spot over Tony Jefferson and R.J. Mickens.
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Best draft-day phone call: Two-phone Jim Harbaugh
In quirky Harbaugh fashion, he was so excited to speak with the new player and their family that he forgot to hang up one phone while starting a FaceTime call on another.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 2026 Chargers draft class superlatives: Best scheme fit, value pick