The NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis is more than just a showcase of athletic testing. For NFL front offices, it is a critical week filled with interviews, medical evaluations, and relationship-building that can significantly influence draft strategy. For the Los Angeles Chargers, the 2026 edition serves as a foundational step in constructing the next iteration of their roster.
According to reporting from the SI.com Chargers staff, the team is actively working the halls of Lucas Oil Stadium and nearby Indianapolis venues to conduct both formal and informal meetings with a broad array of prospects. This tracker offers a near real-time window into the players who have captured the attention of General Manager Joe Hortiz, Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, and their scouting personnel.
While these meetings are not guarantees of draft selection, they are powerful indicators of the team's positional priorities, areas of focus, and the player profiles they highly value. Typically, a formal interview lasts roughly 15-20 minutes and provides teams an opportunity to assess a prospect's football IQ, character, and background in depth. More casual or informal meetings--often held in hotel lobbies or around the convention center--can be equally valuable for gauging a player's personality and motivation.
Why the Combine Meetings Matter for the Chargers
Following a significant roster overhaul in the 2025 offseason, the Chargers enter 2026 with organizational directives aimed at building a sustainable winner. This draft represents the next phase: adding young, cost-controlled talent that complements a core shaped around Jim Harbaugh's physical and disciplined team philosophy.
Tracking these Combine meetings helps connect the dots. Are the Chargers concentrating on trench players, signaling a push to dominate the line of scrimmage? Are there multiple meetings with defensive backs, hinting at a need for secondary depth? Or perhaps they are gathering intelligence on quarterback prospects--a common strategy regardless of immediate positional need. The emerging patterns from these meetings provide early clues into the front office's strategic planning.
Reported Meetings (Updated Live)
The following list, compiled from real-time reports by SI.com Chargers staff, serves as a living document of the Chargers' activity during the Combine, offering insight into their evolving draft board:
Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington: Reported formal meeting. McMillan is a polished route-runner noted for reliable hands and success in a pro-style offense. With the Chargers potentially seeking a long-term complement to their outside receiving threats, a savvy slot receiver like McMillan fits well.
Mason Graham, DT, Michigan: Informal meeting reported. Graham, a powerful defensive tackle from Coach Harbaugh's alma mater, embodies the tough, run-stopping interior presence the Chargers desire. His familiarity with the program's culture and system makes him a natural fit, exemplifying the "Michigan Man" connection.
Will Campbell, OT, LSU: The Chargers reportedly held a formal interview with Campbell, an imposing left tackle prospect. Protecting quarterback Justin Herbert remains the team's top priority, and Campbell represents a high-ceiling, athletic tackle the Chargers have history investing in. This meeting aligns with best-player-available due diligence.
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia: Informal meeting reportedly occurred. Starks offers versatility as a rangy, intelligent safety capable of deep coverage and box support. As the Chargers' defense evolves, adding dynamic playmakers in the secondary remains a key consideration.
Carson Beck, QB, Georgia: Reported formal meeting. This should not be interpreted as dissatisfaction with Justin Herbert, who remains the starter. Interviewing top-tier QB prospects like Beck is standard for most teams, aiding in prospect evaluation and preparing for possible draft-day scenarios including trades involving quarterbacks.
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State: Informal meeting noted. With a running back room in flux, Henderson's blend of explosive speed and receiving skills makes him an intriguing option. In today's pass-oriented offenses, a dynamic back who can produce mismatches is highly valued.
Reading Between the Lines: Early Patterns
Several early themes are emerging from the Chargers' initial Combine meetings:
The Michigan Man Connection: The informal meeting with Mason Graham highlights Coach Harbaugh's trust in players who have performed in the Michigan system. This suggests preference for athletes comfortable in physical, disciplined schemes linked to Harbaugh's roots.
Focus on the Trenches: Meetings with both a defensive tackle (Graham) and offensive tackle (Campbell) reinforce the organization's ongoing philosophy of winning at the line of scrimmage to control games. Size, strength, and physicality along the trenches continue to be a priority.
Due Diligence on Premium Positions: Interviewing prospects like Carson Beck (QB) and Campbell (OT) reflects prudent front office practice. The Chargers are preparing for all draft contingencies by gathering intel on elite talent at premium positions, even if their ultimate draft targets lie elsewhere.
What's Next?
This tracker will be updated continuously throughout the Combine week. Keep an eye out for meetings involving cornerbacks, edge rushers, and interior offensive linemen, all of which could be priority positions in the Chargers' draft portfolio.
Remember, a meeting represents just one piece of a larger puzzle. It will be followed by private workouts, top-30 visits to the Chargers' facility in El Segundo, and exhaustive film study. Nonetheless, this real-time list offers the first concrete evidence of the prospects who have made the team's short list.
As the sun sets over Indianapolis each evening, GM Joe Hortiz, Coach Jim Harbaugh, and their scouting staff compare notes and refine their draft board, zeroing in on the young players they believe can help propel the Chargers forward.
Stay tuned here for live updates as SI.com Chargers staff continue to report on meetings throughout the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.