Sports

Chargers 2026 Roster Prediction vFinal

2026-08-28 NFL Chargers

This post completes my prediction of the 2026 Chargers roster after viewing the final preseason game last night. I have intentionally not read Daniel Popper's final prediction in The Athletic, as I am trying to limit other influences. That said:

TL;DR some of this projection has been influenced by others.

Locks and Virtual Locks (49)

Players in bold are the virtual locks, to distinguish from the true locks.

Special Teams (4)

To be clear, Scott and Dicker have both been poor this preseason. Let's hope the focus returns when the regular season starts. Also, Dicker did not finish the last preseason game but it sounds as if he is not seriously injured.

Defensive Line (9)

I left Dupree off this list for my last 2 predictions, more from hope than reality. The reality is no one has separated themselves from the pack of OLB candidates and Dupree has been given the veteran treatment this preseason (did not play much and played strictly with the first team). Dupree is now a virtual lock and I don't see anyone else making the roster. I assume the top choices for the practice squad will be Nadame Tucker and Andre Carter II if they clear waivers. For Kyle Kennard, see injured list below.

Linebacker (5)

Marlowe Wax had another excellent preseason and is a key special teams player who deserves defensive snaps if others get injured (or suspended, since Perryman is on a short leash). I like Junior Colson, but I just can't find a roster spot for him and expect he will be traded or cut.

Defensive Back (9)

I would be shocked if Mickens doesn't make the roster. Williamson is in the same position as Wax. Also, as I wrote in the last post, I think he could be the heir apparent to Tony Jefferson. I also have more on the cornerback position below.

Offensive Line (8)

Spomer had an excellent camp and preseason. With Biadasz being lost for the season, the Chargers need a backup center. Some on X are holding out hope for a veteran alternative. Last year the Chargers rostered a player who could not get playing time on the worst OL in the league; I find it hard to believe a viable alternative will magically appear this year. More on the final OL spots below.

Tight End (3)

Running Back (4)

There has been a great battle for practice squad running back spots. It will be interesting to see whom the Chargers choose and who gets claimed by other teams from the threesome of Jaret Patterson, Amar Johnson, and Gregory Desrosiers. For now, though, I have the Chargers stashing Patterson on the injured list (eligible to return).

Wide Receiver (6)

As with Dupree, I hoped the Chargers would move on from Davis. For the same reasons as Dupree, I now accept he will make the roster.

Quarterback (1)

For more on the second quarterback, see below.

Injured List

These players do not count against the 53-player roster and are not eligible to be claimed by another team.

Eligible to come back

All of these players are injured to some degree. It's possible that Branson Taylor is more injured than I know and is a candidate for the out for the season list. Both of these moves free up roster space for 2 more selections. If Keaton Mitchell is put on the Injured List, the Chargers would then choose from the practice squad threesome noted in the running back section above.

Out for the season

The first two are for sure out for the season. The injury to Campbell last night looks serious, which is a real shame. Campbell was continuing his development this offseason and I think the Chargers would prefer to keep him rather than cut him with an injury settlement. Putting Kennard on the injured list allows the Chargers to give him a second redshirt year without him being on the active roster.

Final Roster Spot Notes

Backup Quarterback (1)

The pick: TBD trade candidate

I wrote at length on this in the prior post. My pick here is a trade for someone in the next few days, so TBD. The Steelers and Browns in particular have excess players, though none are great options. In future years, the Chargers need to draft a real backup QB in rounds 3 to 5; Herbert has never had a good backup QB.

If a trade does not happen prior to cut down day, I would expect DJ Uiagalelei to get the nod. The Chargers could then cut him after rosters are set, replace him with another post-cut QB, and then add DJ to the practice squad. I don't see how the Chargers could keep Trey Lance after this offseason, which means keeping Lance is probably what will happen.

Cornerback (2)

The pick: Nikko Reed and Avery Smith

These picks are the toughest call. Perhaps Junior Colson gets one of these spots? Perhaps it's Rodney Shelley over one of these two?

Offensive Line (1)

The pick: Logan Taylor

I think Logan Taylor has done enough this offseason and shown versatility between tackle and guard (yes, I did see him get beat badly last night). I think the Chargers will choose the draft pick and upside over Trevor Penning. With the injuries to Biadasz and Taylor, the Chargers now have a way to keep all of their young players and not roster 10 offensive linemen to start the season.

Players traded

The pick: Junior Colson and Trevor Penning

If they don't get traded, then I have them not making the roster. I think both have value for teams in need, particularly for a 7th round pick.

Overall

Added since initial prediction: Jacob Spomer, Derius Davis, Bud Dupree, Kendall Williamson, Avery Smith

Removed since initial prediction: Tyler Biadasz, Dalevon Campbell, Kyle Kennard, Nadame Tucker, Trevor Penning

Final Roster Position Count