LOS ANGELES -- The 2026 NFL draft wrapped up on Saturday after three days in Pittsburgh.
With their first pick, the Chargers selected edge rusher Akheem Mesidor at No. 22 overall.
Here's a look at the Chargers' selections and what you need to know about them:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 22 overall: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
My take: At 25, Mesidor is an older rookie, which is a part of why he was available at No. 22, but he has the talent to be a player who can contribute quickly. Edge was among the Chargers' biggest needs after Odafe Oweh's departure in free agency, and Mesidor projects to fill that void, giving the room a pass rusher with six years of college experience.
"I'm ready to play right now. I have the motor and relentless effort," Mesidor said after being selected. "I have been doubted my whole life. ... The age stuff is all out the window."
Will he start as a rookie?: No. Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu will be the Chargers' starters. Still, L.A. has historically rotated its edge rushers regularly, and that could remain even under first-year defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary. Mesidor will have to compete with Kyle Kennard, last year's fourth-round pick, and veteran Bud Dupree for the third spot in the room, but as a first-round pick, the expectation is that he would beat out both.
Key stat: He had an ACC-best 12.5 sacks in 2025, becoming the first Miami player to lead the ACC in sacks since Greg Rousseau in 2019. Oweh had 10.5 sacks in 13 games (including playoffs) with the Chargers last season, leaving a significant hole in this unit. Mesidor has shown he can be a productive and disruptive pass rusher, as evidenced by his dominance last season. With defenses likely focused on Tuipulotu and Mack, Mesidor should be able to thrive quickly in L.A.
Round 2, No. 63 overall: Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
My take: Finally, the Chargers have addressed the interior offensive line.
Slaughter is the first interior lineman selected within the first two days of the draft since Joe Hortiz became general manager in 2024. Slaughter's pick comes as a surprise, considering he hadn't played guard at all in college, but the Chargers clearly feel he will be able to play there as a pro. Los Angeles signed Tyler Biadasz to a three-year deal to be the team's starting center and signed Cole Strange to play right guard, which likely means Slaughter will be competing with Trevor Penning to start at left guard.
Key stat: The Chargers had a league-worst 54% pass block win rate last season. Quarterback Justin Herbert spent much of last season running away from defenders or on his backside, as the Chargers' offensive line served as a turnstile for opponents for most of last season. With Slaughter, they hope that Herbert will be better protected and upgrade one of the league's worst interior offensive lines over the past two seasons.
Round 4, No. 105 overall: Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
My take: A speedster for offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel! Thompson is an ideal fit for McDaniel's offense, which thrives on getting speedy players into space and upfield. He ran a 4.26 40-yard dash at the combine, tied for the fifth-fastest by any player on record. Thompson is small -- 5-foot-9, 164 pounds -- but had a breakout season in 2025, finishing with an SEC-leading 1,054 receiving yards (set the Mississippi State single-season record).
Round 4, No. 117 overall: Travis Burke, OT, Memphis
My take: The Chargers are investing in more protection for Justin Herbert.
Burke was the second-tallest player at the combine -- 6-foot-8 ¾ -- just a bit taller than current right tackle Joe Alt. Because of his history playing both left and right tackle, the Chargers could use Burke to be the team's swing tackle next season, but he can't be ruled out to compete at either guard spot. The Chargers used almost 30 offensive line combinations seven different tackles last year due to injury, so Burke could see significant time next season.
Round 4, No. 131 overall: Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
My take: Some much needed youth at safety. Among Chargers safeties who played at least 500 defensive snaps last season, Elijah Molden, 27, is the youngest among the group. The 21-year-old Smith and last year's sixth-round pick RJ Mickens, 24, who played 353 snaps last season, provide a youth movement. Since becoming a starter at Arizona in 2024, Smith has had 14 pass breakups, tied for fourth most in the Big 12, and has allowed only two touchdowns as a primary defender. Smith struggled as a tackler; his 34 missed tackles were the sixth-most in the Big 12.
Round 5, No. 145 overall: Nick Barrett, DT, South Carolina
My take: Interior defensive line was a need for the Chargers after losing Da'Shawn Hand in free agency, and Barrett is another depth piece who could help fill the void created by Hand's departure. Barrett led South Carolina defensive linemen with 47 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and two sacks in 2025. His 14 run stops were tied for 14th most among 180 qualified defensive linemen. The Chargers could use a pass-rushing defensive tackle in this group -- as Barrett is more of a run stuffer -- and could address that with their final few picks.
Round 6, No. 202 overall: Logan Taylor, OG, Boston College
My take: Another offensive lineman!? This is the first time the Chargers have drafted three O-linemen since 2017. It also ties their most in a single draft over the past 30 years. The investment in the line comes a season after quarterback Justin Herbert was constantly under duress, and the Chargers rotated through almost 30 O-line combinations. It's clear that GM Hortiz wanted to add depth and youth to this group.
Taylor was a three-year starter at Boston College after transferring from Virginia, and has at least 180 snaps in his career at each OL position except center. He started 46 games in his college career, and his 3,052 snaps since 2022, which ranks 15th in the FBS in that span.
Round 6, No. 206 overall: Alex Harkey, OG, Oregon
My take: GM Hortiz loves the offensive lineman in this draft. Hortiz has been adamant throughout the offseason that the O-line will be addressed. He said the Chargers "weren't done" addressing the position after free agency and said there were good linemen available after Day 1. Hortiz has followed through on his words, selecting four linemen, the most the Chargers have picked since 1991. Harkey has 26 starts all at right tackle. He allowed 29 pressures (6.6% pressure rate) in 2025 compared to 11 pressures in 2024 at Texas State (2.5% pressure rate).
In 2025, he struggled in two games against Indiana allowing 10 pressures (11.9% pressure rate) and three sacks in those matchups, compared to 5.4% pressure rate and three sacks across his 12 other games.