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Kimani Vidal Could Be Sliding Down the Running Back Depth Chart in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal played a surprisingly prominent role in his team's offense in 2025, recording 779 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 171 touches across 13 games (10 starts). After opening the year on the practice squad in Los Angeles, Vidal was thrust into a starting role after Chargers' backs Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris (Achilles) were both forced onto Injured Reserve, Hampton by an ankle injury and Harris with a torn Achilles tendon. However, Vidal's role with the Chargers could be significantly diminished in 2026. Hampton should enter training camp fully healthy and profiles as the team's clear lead back. Los Angeles also signed former Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell to a two-year contract in free agency, which could signify that Mitchell has the edge on Vidal for the team's RB2 role. Vidal could still be worth rostering in deep dynasty formats as a depth piece, but his stock is fading given his murky playing time outlook in Los Angeles.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chargers Unlikely to Trade Quentin Johnston?
The Los Angeles Chargers haven't publicly indicated that they are willing to part ways with wide receiver Quentin Johnston, and internally, they "believe in him," according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. The former first-rounder in 2023 struggled with drops and looked like a potential bust when general manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh showed up in 2024. But instead of giving up on Johnston, they leaned into him and gave him a bigger role, which led to a breakout season with 55 catches, 711 yards, and eight touchdowns in 15 games played. He has led the team in touchdowns (eight) in each of the last two seasons and had a career-high 735 receiving yards in 2025. Even with Keenan Allen being a free agent, the Chargers have a log-jam at receiver after drafting both Tre' Harris and Keandre Lambert-Smith last year. Johnston's fifth-year option is due on May 1, which is projected to be at $18 million. If Johnston stays in L.A., he could be the clear WR2 for the Chargers in 2026 if Allen doesn't return. Despite being boom or bust the last two years, Johnston has become a much more intriguing deep threat in fantasy.
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Ladd McConkey Could Bounce Back in Mike McDaniel's Offense
The Athletic's Daniel Popper thinks that Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey could have a bounce-back season in 2026 in offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's offense. Popper also believes that for McConkey to bounce back, the Chargers need to avoid re-signing veteran Keenan Allen, who led the team in targets and catches in 2025. McConkey and Allen both thrive in similar areas of the field, so in the absence of Allen in McDaniel's offense, McConkey could become a fantasy football stud again. Popper sees McDaniel maximizing McConkey's "shiftiness and yards-after-the-catch ability" with pre-snap motion and linebacker manipulation. The 24-year-old former second-rounder in 2024 out of Georgia caught 82 of 112 targets for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games in his rookie season, but he fell to a 66-789-6 line in 16 games in 2025. With more targets and a focus on the offense under McDaniel, McConkey definitely can become a strong WR2 for fantasy managers going into his third year in the NFL.
Source: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
Source: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
Quentin Johnston Expected to Handle More Targets in 2026?
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston had the best season of his young career in 2025, and he could make an even bigger impact with a potentially larger target share next year. Johnson finished his third NFL campaign with 51 catches, 735 yards, and eight touchdowns. This ended up being just four fewer catches and 24 more yards than his 2024 marks, as well as the same number of trips to the end zone. His 2025 stats resulted in a career-best WR34 finish. The 24-year-old continued to deal with some of the struggles that plagued him at the start of his career, including drops. However, he has started to show signs of turning the corner and being a productive fantasy option week in and week out. Now, Johnston could be headed for even more volume after teammate Keenan Allen hit free agency. Allen leaves behind a whopping 112 vacated targets that will likely be allocated to some combination of Johnston, Ladd McConkey, and Tre' Harris. We wouldn't be surprised to see Johnston get triple-digit targets in 2026, and if his hands become a little more reliable, he could push for 1,000 yards. All in all, he has top-30 receiver upside heading into his fourth NFL season, especially with Allen no longer stealing volume.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Derwin James Suffers Minor Injury
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James (undisclosed) suffered a minor injury earlier in the week before reporting to the Fanatics Flag Football Classic. As a precaution, six-time Pro Bowler Harrison Smith will step in to replace James. It's unclear what type of injury James is dealing with, but it doesn't sound like it will really affect his preparation this offseason as he gets ready for his eighth year in the NFL in 2026. The 29-year-old former 17th overall pick in 2018 out of Florida State has established himself as one of the best all-around safeties in the league. James has 100-plus total tackles in four of his seven seasons, and he racked up a healthy 94 tackles (50 solo), two sacks, six tackles for loss, eight QB hits, a career-high three interceptions, seven pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 16 regular-season starts in 2025 for the Bolts. He was the No. 20 fantasy defensive back in IDP scoring and should once again be a strong target at DH in the same formats in 2026 if he's fully healthy.
Source: Fanatics
Source: Fanatics
Will Justin Herbert Have Higher Fantasy Ceiling in New Offense?
Thankfully for fantasy managers, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert's playoff woes don't count. Herbert was named a Pro Bowler for the second time in his career in 2025, but he looked bad again in an ugly playoff loss to the New England Patriots. During the regular season, the 28-year-old completed 66.4% of his passes for 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 16 games to finish as the QB10 in overall fantasy points. He added a career-high 83 rushing attempts for 498 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The fact that L.A.'s offensive line was so banged up and ineffective led to Herbert taking off and running more than he ever has in his career. It helped him stay in the top-12 overall fantasy QBs. With a healthier offensive line in 2026 and with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel leading the offense, Herbert should be in better hands. He might even return to the 4,000-yard passing mark, which he hasn't reached since his third year in the league in 2022. Herbert's dynasty and redraft stock is on the rise, making him at least a low-end QB1 target in drafts later this year.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Ladd McConkey Has Terrific Opportunity to Bounce Back
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey had an underwhelming second season in the NFL. Rather than building on an exceptional rookie campaign, he took a step backward with 66 catches, 789 yards, and six touchdowns. He ranked as the WR30 overall in PPR leagues, dropping more than a dozen spots from his 2024 ranking as WR13. The exact reason for McConkey's regression is unclear, but we'd imagine the Chargers' league-worst offensive line played a role. McConkey excels in running medium routes downfield, getting open, and making plays, but if the big men up front didn't allow enough time for that to develop, the receiver would either get uncatchable targets or no targets at all. Los Angeles fortified its trenches this offseason with Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange, and they also freed up an additional 122 targets by letting Keenan Allen walk in free agency. These two factors -- as well as the hiring of smart-minded offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel -- could be exactly what McConkey needs to get back into the low-end WR1 or high-end WR2 conversation in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mike McDaniel to Maximize Oronde Gadsden's Skill Set?
The Athletic's Daniel Popper believes Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden will play in a role that "maximizes his receiving skill set" under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel in 2026. The Chargers signed tight end Charlie Kolar, who is an elite run blocker and an "ideal fit" in McDaniel's movement offense. He also has upside as a pass-catcher, but Gadsden will be the Bolts' clear top pass-catching TE after he impressed in his first year in the NFL in 2025 with 49 catches on 69 targets for 664 yards and three touchdowns in 15 regular-season games (seven starts). His numbers were good enough to make him the TE16 in half-PPR scoring as a rookie. Gadsden also ranked 14th at his position in yards per route run. He's an ascending player with a good fit in the offensive scheme as he heads into his second year in the league. For fantasy managers who wait at the TE position, Gadsden is a great late-round target with upside.
Source: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
Source: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
Keaton Mitchell Could "Thrive" in New Offensive Scheme in L.A.
The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes that new Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell's "acceleration and threatening speed to the edge will thrive" in new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's scheme in 2026. The Bolts drafted Omarion Hampton in the first round last year, but the 24-year-old Mitchell runs with explosiveness and has been compared to Miami's De'Von Achane, whom McDaniel coached with the Dolphins. Mitchell has averaged a healthy 6.3 yards per carry in his three years in the NFL with Baltimore, but injuries have kept him from reaching his true potential, as his 13 games played in 2025 were a career-high. In his 26 NFL games (two starts), Mitchell has 767 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 121 carries, adding 19 receptions for 184 more yards on 24 targets. Mitchell will be a handcuff for Hampton at the very least, but he could also absolutely carve out standalone value as an RB3/flex in fantasy in 2026 if he can stay on the field in L.A.
Source: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
Source: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
Omarion Hampton Has High Upside with New Offensive Coordinator
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton continues to trend upward ahead of the 2026 season. Hampton is coming off an impressive rookie campaign and should now benefit from playing in a system led by offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Under McDaniel's leadership last year, the Dolphins had the fourth-most rushing yards per carry, so we would expect Los Angeles to adopt a run-heavy system with similar success in 2026. Hampton had 380 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns through his first four games, but a midseason injury interrupted his progress and led to subpar results at the end of the year. Now that he's heading into his second season and is healthy, Hampton should take that next step forward and produce as a potential top-12 fantasy running back. He'll also benefit from having more protection in front of him, as the Chargers' league-worst offensive line added projected starters Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange this offseason.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Trey Lance Returns to the Chargers on a One-Year Deal
The Los Angeles Chargers have re-signed quarterback Trey Lance to a one-year deal worth up to $6.75 million, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Lance continues to operate in a depth role, as he has made just 16 appearances (six starts) since being drafted third overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. He backed up Justin Herbert in Los Angeles last year, making four appearances and one start. He finished the year 0-1 with a 47.4% completion rate, 226 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. He also rushed for 85 yards on the ground. Lance isn't a very flashy name, and the $6.75 million maximum value of his deal likely has a much lower base rate with plenty of playing time-based incentives. He's avoidable in all fantasy leagues as long as Herbert remains healthy, and even if the starter misses time, Lance wouldn't be a very appealing streamer.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Oronde Gadsden Has High-End Dynasty Upside After Promising Rookie Year
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden emerged as an exciting young pass-catcher as a rookie in 2025, recording 49 receptions for 664 yards and three touchdowns on 69 targets across 15 games. The 22-year-old established himself as the Chargers' primary receiving tight end by the middle of the season, pushing out veteran tight end Tyler Conklin. Conklin departed Los Angeles for the Detroit Lions in free agency, further clearing the way for Gadsden to dominate tight end snaps in 2026. Los Angeles signed former Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar for some depth at the position, but Kolar profiles as a blocking specialist with just 30 total receptions across 47 career NFL games. Based on what he showed as a rookie, Gadsden could easily grow into a high-volume role in the Los Angeles offense. His stock in dynasty formats should be rising heading into 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Keaton Mitchell Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are signing free-agent running back Keaton Mitchell to a two-year, $9.5 million deal that includes $5 million guaranteed, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Mitchell spent the first three seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, compiling 951 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on 140 touches. Injuries limited the 24-year-old to just 26 games played over three years, and he's also been stuck behind workhorse back Derrick Henry in Baltimore. However, Mitchell has been a highly efficient rusher when given the opportunity, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. In Los Angeles, Mitchell will likely be fighting with Kimani Vidal for the RB2 role behind 2025 first-round pick Omarion Hampton. Mitchell's speed and big-play ability will likely appeal to new Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. While Hampton still projects as the team's clear lead rusher, Mitchell's arrival could create a slight logjam for backfield touches in Los Angeles.
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Charlie Kolar Signs Three-Year Deal With Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have signed free-agent tight end Charlie Kolar to a three-year, $24.3 million deal that includes $17 million guaranteed, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. While Pelissero notes that this is the largest deal ever for a blocking tight end, we wouldn't be surprised to see Kolar step into more of a receiving role in Los Angeles. He showed flashes of pass-catching potential in Baltimore -- as much as he could while buried in the No. 3 tight end role behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. He had a career-high 10 catches for 142 yards in 2025, headlined by a two-game touchdown streak during the first half of the season. With the Bolts, he'll presumably operate as the No. 2 tight end behind Oronde Gadsden. Despite the new contract and bump up the depth chart, Kolar likely still faces an uphill battle to fantasy relevance in a Mike McDaniel system that hasn't leaned super heavily on its No. 2 tight end in the past.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Source: Tom Pelissero
Khalil Mack Returning to the Chargers for 2026
All-Pro edge rusher Khalil Mack has agreed to a one-year, fully guaranteed $18 million deal to return to the Los Angeles Chargers, taking one of the top potential free agents off the market, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. A Pro Bowler in his first three years with the team, Mack now enters his fifth season with the Bolts, his longest stay with one team as he enters year 13 of his brilliant career. While his pass-rush numbers have fallen precipitously since his career-high 17-sack campaign in 2023, the former fifth overall pick is still one of the league's most dominant edge-setters. Mack's 113 career sacks put him just outside the top 25 in NFL history, and he is likely to wear a gold jacket whenever he decides to walk away from the game.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
