The Los Angeles Chargers continued their roster build on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft with a pair of selections that addressed two very different needs: explosive speed on offense and rotational depth on defense. With the 117th overall pick in the fourth round, general manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh went for the home run swing, selecting Mississippi State wide receiver Brenen Thompson. Just 32 picks later in the fifth round, they added some beef up front, taking defensive tackle Nick Barrett out of a Power Five program.
These are the kinds of picks that define a draft class. Sure, the early rounds get the headlines, but the middle rounds are where championships are built--or where roster holes are filled with value that pays dividends for years. Let's break down what each player brings to the Chargers and how they fit into the team's immediate and long-term plans.
Brenen Thompson: The Blazing Fast Weapon Justin Herbert Needed
If you watched the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this past February, you saw the moment that launched Brenen Thompson into the national conversation. The Mississippi State wideout posted a jaw-dropping 4.26-second 40-yard dash, the fastest time of any receiver at the combine and among the fastest recorded in the event's history. That time confirmed what SEC defensive backs already knew: Thompson is a legitimate track-level burner who can take the top off any defense.
But speed alone doesn't get you 1,054 receiving yards in the SEC. That's what Thompson did in 2025, leading the conference in receiving yards and establishing himself as a true No. 1 option in the Bulldogs' offense. He wasn't just a deep threat who ran go routes; Thompson showed the ability to separate on crossing routes, work the intermediate part of the field, and make defenders miss after the catch. His route running improved dramatically over his college career, evolving from a one-trick pony into a complete receiver.
For the Chargers, this pick is a direct response to what Justin Herbert needs to take this offense to the next level. Last season, Los Angeles had solid production from its pass-catchers, but the offense lacked a true vertical threat who could consistently stretch the field and force safeties to respect the deep ball. Thompson instantly provides that element. Defensive coordinators will now have to account for a receiver who can turn a quick slant into a 75-yard touchdown with a single missed tackle.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh has always valued a strong running game and play-action passing, and Thompson's presence makes play-action significantly more dangerous. When the Chargers run effectively and then fake the handoff, safeties will have to hesitate for just a split second--and that's all Thompson needs to get behind them. The combination of Herbert's arm strength and Thompson's raw speed could become one of the league's most explosive deep-ball pairings.
There is a level of polish that will need to develop. Thompson isn't a big-bodied receiver (listed around 5-foot-10), so he won't win many contested catches against press-man corners. He'll need to refine his release package to consistently beat jam coverage at the line. But the Chargers' offensive coordinator, Mike McDaniel, should be able to scheme him into space, using motion and stack releases to get him free releases off the line. In a system that emphasizes getting the ball to playmakers quickly, Thompson's skill set is perfectly aligned.
The fourth-round value here is excellent. Thompson was projected by some analysts as a late Day 2 pick after his combine performance and his production. For the Chargers to land him in the fourth round suggests either concerns about his size or medicals, or simply that other teams prioritized other positions. Either way, Los Angeles got a player with a first-round athletic profile in the middle of Day 3. That's how you build a deep, dynamic roster.
Nick Barrett: A Quietly Productive Addition to the Defensive Line
The Chargers' defensive line needed bodies. After some departures in free agency and a shift in scheme philosophy under the new defensive staff, adding versatile interior linemen was a priority on Day 3. In Nick Barrett, the Chargers get a player who embodies the word "steady."
Barrett finished his college career with 51 games played and 12 starts, appearing in 72 tackles. That's not a flashy stat line for a defensive tackle, but context matters. Barrett was often part of a deep rotation, splitting snaps and contributing on special teams. He's a player who understands his role and executes it consistently. He's not going to rack up double-digit sacks or dominate the stat sheet, but he's the kind of run-stuffing, gap-plugging interior presence that keeps linebackers clean and allows edge rushers to work.
At his best, Barrett generates push in the middle, holds his ground against double teams, and occupies blockers so that the second-level defenders can flow to the ball. In a division that features strong running games, having a rotational defensive tackle who can log 20-25 snaps per game and not be a liability is a genuine asset.
The 2026 Chargers defense under defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary is expected to emphasize versatility and scheme diversity. Barrett fits that mold. He projects as a rotational piece who can play both one-technique and three-technique alignments depending on down and distance. He won't be asked to be a star, but he doesn't need to be. If he can be a reliable, coachable player who does his job within the system, that's a win in the fifth round.
There's legitimate reason to believe Barrett can outplay his draft slot. Many late-round defensive tackles who come from programs with strong coaching and development trajectories end up becoming starters within a year or two. Barrett has the work ethic and the football IQ to stick around. He won't make highlight reels, but he'll make the kind of gritty, unnoticed plays that win games in November and December.
Day 3 Philosophy and the Bigger Picture
These two picks tell us a lot about how the Chargers view the 2026 NFL Draft and their overall roster construction. The Brenen Thompson selection is an aggressive, upside-driven move. It's the kind of pick that says "we're not just trying to get by; we're trying to build something special." When you have a franchise quarterback on a massive contract, you need to find cheap, impactful weapons in the draft. Thompson is exactly that kind of swing.
The Nick Barrett pick is the opposite end of the spectrum--a steady, dependable interior lineman who fills a clear need without any bells or whistles. It's a safe pick, but that's not a bad thing on Day 3. Every championship roster needs guys like Barrett who can step in when starters need rest and not have a noticeable drop-off.
Taken together, the Chargers' 2026 draft class is shaping up to have a strong mix of high-upside playmakers and lunch-pail role players. With Herbert under center, the offense now has the vertical element it lacked. With Barrett joining the defensive line rotation, the defense has another reliable piece to lean on.
The Bresee and Mack attack up front, the speed on the perimeter, and the steady leadership of Harbaugh and Hortiz: the Chargers are building something that looks a lot like a contender. Thompson and Barrett may be Day 3 picks, but they could be the kind of players who make a difference when the games matter most. For a team that watched the postseason from home last year, every pick matters. These two certainly do.
