The most anticipated draft weekend in recent Chargers memory rolls into Day 3 this afternoon, and the Bolts still have plenty of work to do. After a whirlwind first two days in which general manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh made four selections--snagging a potential cornerstone at cornerback, an explosive wide receiver, a versatile offensive lineman, and a difference-making edge rusher--the team now enters the final stretch with six picks remaining.
That's right: six picks on Day 3. It's a deep pool of draft capital that gives Hortiz the flexibility to either stockpile depth, find a late-round gem, or package selections to move up for a player they have circled. Let's break down exactly what the Chargers have to work with, how they got here, and what positions could still be in play.
The Remaining Picks: A Complete Look
Per the team's official website, here's what the Chargers currently hold as they enter the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft:
- Round 4, Pick 113 (compensatory)
- Round 5, Pick 146 (from New England)
- Round 5, Pick 154 (their own, via trade with Carolina)
- Round 6, Pick 190 (their own)
- Round 7, Pick 223 (from Chicago)
- Round 7, Pick 234 (their own)
Six selections across four rounds. That's significant capital, especially for a team that entered the draft with needs along the defensive line, at tight end, and in the secondary.
Let's walk through the journey those picks have taken, because the Chargers' trade history leading up to this moment explains a lot about their current draft board.
How the Chargers Built Their Day 3 Cache
No team in the NFL loves stockpiling picks quite like the Chargers' front office, and Joe Hortiz has proven his willingness to move around the board to maximize value. The extra picks didn't come from nowhere, and they didn't come without cost.
The fifth-round selection at No. 146 (from New England) was part of the package the Chargers received when they sent standout safety Alohi Gilman to the Patriots last season. While losing Gilman was a blow to the secondary--he had become a dependable third safety and special teams ace--Hortiz clearly had his eyes on future draft flexibility. That pick, which falls near the top of the fifth round, gives the Chargers a chance to target a falling talent.
The fifth-rounder at No. 154 is technically the Chargers' original pick, but it took on a different number after the prior trade with Carolina. That selection was tied up in the deal that brought veteran receiver Elijah Moore to Los Angeles during the 2025 season. The Panthers sent Moore and a pick swap to the Chargers in exchange for a 2026 fourth-rounder and a conditional 2027 pick. As a result, the Chargers' own fifth-round slot slid back slightly but still represents solid value.
The two seventh-round picks--one from Chicago (No. 223) and the Chargers' own (No. 234)--are classic late-round lottery tickets. The Bears pick arrived via a minor trade-back that Hortiz executed during Day 2 of last year's draft, swapping seventh-rounders with Chicago while securing a future draft asset. It's the kind of small, often unseen transaction that fans rarely notice but that gives a personnel department more swings at finding the next Chris Harris Jr. or Austin Ekeler in the later rounds.
Day 3 Philosophy: What to Expect from Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh
If the first two days taught us anything about this iteration of the Chargers' front office, it's that they aren't afraid to zig while the league zags. In the first round, most mock drafts had the Chargers taking a defensive tackle or a tight end. Instead, they went with a cornerback - Shemar McQueen from Georgia - a pick that drew some initial surprise but one the team believes plugs a long-term hole left by the departure of Asante Samuel Jr.
Day 2 saw them dip into offensive skill positions, taking wide receiver Jaden Bailey from Texas in the second round and adding tackle/guard Kamari Waiters from Ohio State in the third. Then, in a move that delighted the defensive-minded Harbaugh, they grabbed an edge rusher in the third round with the pick acquired from the Mike Williams trade.
Now, on Day 3, the philosophy shifts. Rounds 4 through 7 are where rosters are built, not just stars. It's where you find your core special teamers, your developmental backups, and, on the best days, a player who outperforms his draft slot by a mile.
Hortiz has said repeatedly that he views the draft as a "scouting and selection exercise, not just a publicity event." For Day 3, that means the Chargers will be looking for:
- Football character and competitiveness -- Harbaugh demands high-effort players who love the game. Late-round picks with question marks but a work ethic are his type.
- Special teams value -- Day 3 picks almost always have to contribute on kick coverage, punt return units, or as gunners. The Chargers have emphasized special teams play under new special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken.
- Positional versatility -- Offensive linemen who can play multiple spots, defensive backs who can line up in the slot or at safety, and hybrid linebackers who cover ground all become more attractive as the board thins.
- Injury concerns or small-school potential -- The Chargers' medical staff is one of the best at projection. If a player dropped due to a past injury that has since healed, or if he dominated a lower level of competition, the Bolts are likely to take a flier.
Position Needs Still on the Board
While the Chargers addressed some of their biggest needs--cornerback, wide receiver, offensive line, and pass rush--there are still gaps on the roster that Day 3 can fill.
Tight end is arguably the most pressing remaining need. The team has a solid starter in Hayden Hurst, but he's entering his age-33 season and the depth behind him is thin. Donald Parham Jr. has flashed but hasn't stayed healthy, and Stone Smartt is still developing as a route runner. A fourth- or fifth-round tight end who can block and provide a red-zone target would be a natural fit.
Defensive tackle also remains on the wish list. While the Chargers have veteran Poona Ford and a developing player in Otito Ogbonnia, the interior defensive line lacks a true disruptor. The team didn't go after defensive tackle in the first two days, which suggests they may target a run-stuffer in the mid-rounds.
Safety depth is another area to watch. With Gilman gone, the Chargers have Derwin James Jr. and JT Woods as the top two, but depth is thin. A smart, physical safety who can play in the box or cover tight ends is a common Day 3 archetype.
Running back depth, while less pressing given the presence of Jaret Patterson and Amar Johnson, could also use a fresh pair of legs. Harbaugh loves a physical run game, and a fourth or fifth running back with special teams ability is never a wasted pick.
The Compensatory Pick Factor
It's worth noting that the Chargers' fourth-round pick at No. 113 is a compensatory selection. Comp picks are awarded for losing more or better free agents than you sign, and they cannot be traded. That means the Chargers have a guaranteed slot at a premium position in the fourth round that they absolutely cannot move--no trade-downs, no packaging up. That pick is locked in, and it will be used.
Compensatory picks in the fourth round historically have strong hit rates. Players like George Kittle, Dak Prescott, and Cooper Kupp were all taken in the fourth round or later. The Chargers' scouting department will have done its homework. Expect a starter-level player at a position of moderate need with that selection.
The View from War Room
Harbaugh isn't the type to sit back and let the draft come to him. He's active, engaged, and has strong opinions about the players he believes fit his program. Through two days, it was clear that he and Hortiz are tightly aligned on the type of player they want: tough, smart, competitive, and relentlessly physical.
Day 3 is where that ethos really shines. The fourth round is still considered prime talent by most evaluators, but by the fifth and sixth rounds, teams are rolling the dice on traits, upside, or sheer heart. Harbaugh's Michigan teams were famous for finding late-round contributors who became key cogs in their team. In Los Angeles, he's looking to replicate that model.
The war room will also be active with trade calls. If the Chargers see a player they love at, say, pick 100, they could easily package their two fifth-round picks to jump up 13 or 15 spots. Hortiz has shown he's willing to move both up and down. He traded down twice on Day 2 to accumulate picks. He'll likely keep his phone lines open all day.
Final Outlook
The 2026 NFL Draft has already been a success for the Chargers by most measures. They added a premium corner, a vertical wide receiver, an offensive line swingman, and a pass rusher with starting traits. But the difference between a good draft and a great one often comes down to what you find in the later rounds.
With six picks remaining--one in the fourth, two in the fifth, one in the sixth, and two in the seventh--the Chargers have the ammunition to add two or three contributors who could be on the 53-man roster in Week 1. Whether that's a tight end with pass-catching chops, a defensive tackle who clogs running lanes, or a safety who flies downhill and hits like a linebacker, the opportunity is there.
Day 3 kicks off at noon PT. Expect the Chargers to be active, strategic, and--most importantly--purposeful. This is the day where roster depth is forged, and for a team with legitimate playoff aspirations in a stacked AFC West, every add matters.
Stay locked on the Chargers' official channels for all the picks, and here's hoping the Bolts finish this draft weekend with a haul that pays dividends for years to come.
