MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

One of the Chargers’ biggest concerns coming into the draft was that Akheem Mesidor wouldn’t be around when they made their pick at number 22 in the first round. When the former Miami standout was there the Chargers jumped on him convinced that they had their guy.

Mesidor is an elite pass rusher who had 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for a loss last season. Mesidor, 6’3″- 259, played some of his best ball in the playoffs and seems to have a motor that doesn’t stop. He was on the Chargers’ radar since the opening game of the season when he had 1.5 sacks in a victory over Notre Dame.

The Chargers were also impressed with him at the 2026 NFL Combine and had a formal interview with him. General Manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh can see Mesidor fitting right in with edge rushers Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu.

Harbaugh said in an interview that Mesidor could not only spell either one of the edge rushers but at times they may have all three in the game at the same time, in effect “tripling” him. Mesidor will fill a key role that was left vacant when Odafe Oweh, who was a capable third edge rusher in ’25, departed for free agency.

The rest of the Chargers 2026 draft:

2nd Round: 63 overall – Jake Slaughter, C, Florida: Slaughter is a center but the Chargers feel he can play guard as well as they attempt to bolster the interior offensive line. The Chargers signed center Tyler Biadasz to a three-year deal and they also inked Cole Strange to play right guard which leaves Slaughter to compete with Trevor Penning at left guard. With tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater returning from injury the Chargers have a good core of young offensive linemen. Slaughter adds depth at center and guard.

4th Round: 105 overall – Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State: Thompson led the SEC with 1,054 receiving yards, the first Mississippi State player to do that in program history. Thompson showed blazing speed at the Combine, where he had the fastest time at 4.26 seconds. Thompson went to Texas for his freshman year and then moved on to Oklahoma before going to Mississippi State. he finished his collegiate career with 40 career games, 23 starts, with 84 receptions for 1,557 yards and 10 touchdowns. Thompson joins a receiver room that includes key players Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Tre’ Harris.

4th Round: 117 overall- Travis Burke, OT, Memphis: Travis Burke will definitely stand out at the Chargers training camp. Why? Because he’s 6″8″. Burke has played both right and left tackle which will allow the Chargers to plug him in at either spot in case of injury and he can compete at both spots. Another addition for the offensive line.

4th Round: 131 overall – Genesis Smith, S, Arizona: Smith will add some youth at safety. Last season he had 14 pass break ups and allowed only two touchdowns as a primary defender. Elijah Molden, at 27, is currently the youngest of the safeties group with at least 500 defensive snaps. Smith should be able to see some time.

5th Round: 145 overall – Nick Barrett, DT, South Carolina: The Chargers lost Da’Shawn Hand to free agency opening up a need on the interior defensive line. Barrett can fill that void. Barrett led South Carolina defensive linemen with 47 tackles last season and also recorded two sacks. Barrett is considered more of a run stuffer than a pass rusher which should be just what the Chargers need.

6th Round: 202 overall – Logan Taylor, OG, Boston College: With the selection of Taylor it’s the first time the Chargers have drafted three offensive linemen since 2017. GM Joe Hortiz made it clear that the focus was protecting quarterback Justin Herbert and adding depth and youth to the group. Taylor was a three-year starter at Boston College after transferring from Virginia and started 46 games in his college career. He’ll be a welcome addition to the Chargers front O-line.

6th Round: 206 overall – Alex Harkey, OG, Oregon: Yes, another offensive lineman. The Chargers had not drafted four offensive linemen since 1991. Harkey had 26 starts – all at right tackle – at Oregon and Texas State. He also played at Colorado before transferring to Texas State. The competition at offensive line in camp is going to be interesting to say the least.