RADIO
Omarion Hampton Showing Major Growth in Year 2
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton has made noticeable strides since the spring, according to offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Speaking to Alex Insdorf, McDaniel said Hampton may have shown more growth than any player on the roster during the five-week break before camp. The next step is getting the 6-foot, 220-pound back to keep his feet moving and use his size against defenders who do not want to tackle him. A pair of ankle injuries limited Hampton to nine games as a rookie, but he still rushed for 545 yards and four touchdowns while adding 32 catches for 192 yards and another score. He enters Year 2 as the clear lead back in an offense expected to lean heavily on the run. RotoBaller ranks Hampton as the RB11, and McDaniel's comments only strengthen his case as a low-end RB1 with room for more.
Source: Alex Insdorf
Source: Alex Insdorf
Tre' Harris Has Matchup-Nightmare Potential
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre' Harris drew strong praise from offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who called him "absolutely starving to improve" and a potential "matchup nightmare," according to Alex Insdorf. McDaniel pointed to Harris' unusual combination of receiver speed and a physical playing style that rivals some tight ends. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Harris caught 30 passes for 324 yards and one touchdown as a rookie, but he showed more late in the year, producing 187 yards over the final six games. Harris still has to earn steady targets alongside Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston, so the comments alone do not guarantee a second-year breakout. Still, his size, physicality, and late-season progress give McDaniel plenty to work with. Harris remains more of a deep-league sleeper than a dependable redraft starter, but his role is worth watching closely throughout the preseason.
Source: Alex Insdorf
Source: Alex Insdorf
Chargers Not Expected to Add Veteran Wide Receiver
The Los Angeles Chargers are not expected to add a veteran wide receiver at this stage of the offseason, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. That would leave Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Tre' Harris as the leading options in a young receiver room. McConkey led the team with 789 receiving yards and scored six touchdowns in 2025, while Johnston set career highs with 51 catches and 735 yards and led the Chargers with eight receiving scores. Harris added 30 receptions for 324 yards and one touchdown as a rookie. General manager Joe Hortiz said in May that the door was not closed on another reunion with free agent Keenan Allen, who led Los Angeles with 81 catches last season, but Graziano's report suggests the team is prepared to move forward without another veteran addition. The news keeps the path open for Harris to earn more work behind McConkey and Johnston, though the Chargers could still change course if injuries or camp performance create a need.
Source: NFL Daily News
Source: NFL Daily News
Justin Herbert Exceeding Mike McDaniel's Expectations
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has impressed new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel even more than expected, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. McDaniel praised Herbert's rare combination of size, arm strength and field vision, saying the quarterback can play with anticipation and reach areas of the field that most passers cannot. He also called Herbert the team's hardest worker, which has helped the rest of the offense buy into the changes being installed. One of those adjustments has Herbert lining up with his left foot forward in the shotgun, allowing him to get the ball out sooner and better match his throws to the timing of the routes. Herbert completed 66.4% of his passes for 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 16 games last season, while adding a career-high 498 rushing yards. Positive summer reviews do not guarantee a jump in fantasy production, but the early fit between Herbert and McDaniel is encouraging.
Source: Dan Graziano
Source: Dan Graziano
Chargers Have a Role Planned for Keaton Mitchell
In signing speedy running back Keaton Mitchell to a two-year deal, the Los Angeles Chargers provided offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel with a unique weapon that could find a significant role in 2026. McDaniel recently told ESPN's Dan Graziano, "He's as dynamic as they come with the ball in his hands in space," going on to say, "He's a matchup issue for every defense. I think he has a lot of pass-game value that he hasn't been able to really represent in his career, but it's showing so far in camp. He's a playmaker that I'm very excited about." Mitchell is likely to work as the Chargers' primary change-of-pace back behind presumed starter Omarion Hampton, with last year's leading rusher Kimani Vidal serving as more of a direct handcuff, more capable of handling a full workload if called upon. While any fantasy viability for Vidal is injury-dependent, Mitchell should see his own standalone value and is a high-upside swing as RotoBaller's RB42.
Source: Dan Graziano
Source: Dan Graziano
David Njoku Helping to Unlock Chargers Offense
The Los Angeles Chargers' new-look offense is thriving in the early days of training camp, and one of the reasons, as pointed out by Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, is the addition of tight end David Njoku and the improvements made to the position as a whole. Veteran Charlie Kolar was an early free agent signing, and as expected, he has been used primarily as an inline blocking tight end throughout the early days of training camp. With Njoku signing later in the process, there were questions about how his usage would impact second-year player Oronde Gadsden II, and Breer mentions that the former first-round pick of the Browns was brought in to play the F or "move" tight end position. A split between Njoku and Gadsden in that role could make both difficult to consistently trust for fantasy production, making any information coming out of camp all the more important. While that situation has pushed the veteran down to TE24 by current ADP, Gadsden is going around TE18, still in a range where some of the other available options appear to provide more certainty but a lower ceiling.
Source: Albert Breer
Source: Albert Breer
Keaton Mitchell Projected to Win the Chargers' RB2 Job
The Los Angeles Chargers are projected to have one of the most improved offensive units for 2026, and a player the coaching staff is reportedly high on is running back Keaton Mitchell, who joined the team on a two-year deal and is battling with third-year player Kimani Vidal for the primary backup role behind 2025 first-round pick Omarion Hampton. Appearing on The Athletic Football Show, Chargers beat reporter Daniel Popper expressed a belief that Mitchell has the edge over Vidal, who led the team in rushing attempts and yards with Hampton sidelined for much of his 2025 rookie season. Mitchell offers explosiveness and an ability to stress the edges of a defense, and he could see work in a change-of-pace capacity throughout the year. At only 5'8" and 191 pounds, however, he's unlikely to hold anything close to an every-down role should Hampton again be forced to miss time, with Vidal the more likely option to step in at that point. At RotoBaller's RB42, Mitchell should hold enough standalone value to make him a worthy selection in the late rounds of 2026 drafts, while Vidal factors more as an in-season waiver add as RotoBaller's RB74.
Source: The Athletic Football Show
Source: The Athletic Football Show
Oronde Gadsden to be Phased Out of Chargers Offense
After a standout rookie season in 2025, Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden has been pushed to the side by the team's recent additions to the tight end room. Gadsden hauled in 49 of 69 targets for 664 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games last season as a rookie. However, the team added former Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar to a three-year, $24.3 million contract and former Pro-Bowler David Njoku as well. In training camp, footage has shown Gadsden catching passes from fourth-string quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, while Kolar and Njoku work with the first team. If this trend continues, fantasy managers will need to pump the brakes on a second-year breakout for the former Syracuse tight end.
Source: Kris Rhim - ESPN
Source: Kris Rhim - ESPN
Charlie Kolar Could be a Big Factor in 2026
Los Angeles Chargers' new tight end, Charlie Kolar, is expected to be a major factor in the team's tight end room in 2026. Kolar signed a three-year, $24.3 million contract with the Chargers, marking one of the team's first free-agent moves, well before the addition of former Browns tight end David Njoku. Quarterback Justin Herbert praised both Kolar and Njoku, saying, "I think it's really cool to have Charlie [Kolar] and David [Njoku]." He added that he expects Kolar to have a very good year and is excited to get him the ball. Kolar and Njoku joined Oronde Gadsden II, who had a tremendous rookie season as a receiver but struggled as a blocker. From a fantasy perspective, targeting any tight end in this offense seems risky.
Source: Alex Insdorf - Bolt Beat
Source: Alex Insdorf - Bolt Beat
Ladd McConkey is a Full-Go for Training Camp
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (hamstring) told ESPN's Kris Rhim he is a "full-go" for training camp, which begins on Wednesday. McConkey was considered questionable for the start of training camp due to a strained hamstring he suffered during offseason workouts in the spring. The 24-year-old is coming off a disappointing sophomore season, but he is a trendy breakout candidate among fantasy analysts due to his talent being utilized by new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. McConkey also went on to say, "I feel like this is probably the most talented roster I've been on since I've been here. Now we just gotta go do it." With McConkey at full health, the Chargers are looking to finally deliver on sky-high expectations within the organization in 2026.
Source: Kris Rhim
Source: Kris Rhim
Quentin Johnston Looking to Prove he Can be Consistent Outside Threat
ESPN's Kris Rhim writes that Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston enters training camp this summer "looking to prove that he can be a consistent outside threat." The Chargers showed that they believe in the former first-rounder's long-term potential by picking up his fifth-year, $18 million option. The 24-year-old former TCU wideout struggled with drops and creating separation as a rookie, but he has led the team in touchdowns (16 combined) in each of the past two seasons. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel likes Johnston's potential, too, comparing him to former Houston Texan Andre Johnson and former Atlanta Falcon Julio Jones because of his size (6-foot-3, 208 pounds) and yards-after-the-catch ability. McDaniel could unlock even more from Johnston and make him a weekly threat in L.A.'s offense, making him a very intriguing WR4/flex target with upside in upcoming 2026 fantasy drafts. RotoBaller currently has Johnston ranked as the No. 47 fantasy WR as he heads into his fourth season.
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Cameron Dicker Could See Fewer Field-Goal Opportunities in 2026
A Pro Bowler in 2025, Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker's 38 made field goals were the third most in the league, allowing him to finish as the No. 4 fantasy kicker in a middle-of-the-road offense. With better health and the arrival of coordinator Mike McDaniel leading to projected offensive improvements in Los Angeles, Dicker is one player for whom this news could be seen as a double-edged sword. Better offensive efficiency will obviously increase overall scoring opportunities, but only the Saints and Jets converted fewer of their red zone trips into touchdowns than the Chargers in 2025, making Dicker one of only four kickers to attempt 40+ field goals, a number that could drop on the heels of more successful touchdown drives. Dicker's 93.5% career conversion rate on field goals is the highest of all time by a substantial margin, so it's best not to overthink his selection, and he remains a safe bet to accumulate points, heading into 2026 as RotoBaller's fifth-ranked kicker.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Omarion Hampton Is a Breakout Bet, Not a Bargain
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton turned nine rookie games into 737 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns, enough to keep the breakout buzz alive after two ankle injuries disrupted his season. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry and caught 32 passes, so the appeal is not tied only to early-down volume. The runway also looks cleaner in Year 2. Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal are the main backs behind him, while Mike McDaniel is moving the offense toward an outside-zone scheme. The fit is exciting. The price has already caught up. RotoBaller ranks Hampton 21st overall in dynasty and 19th in PPR redraft, where he is the RB11. Managers are paying for a healthy season and a larger workload, not finding a hidden sleeper. The ankle history keeps him from being risk-free, but Round 2 remains a fair place to bet on the breakout.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ladd McConkey an Appealing Dynasty Buy-Low Candidate Ahead of 2026
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey put together an underwhelming 2025 season, recording 66 catches for 789 yards and six touchdowns on 106 targets across 16 games. After finishing as the WR12 in PPR scoring in 2024, McConkey fell all the way to WR30 last season. However, there are reasons to believe the 24-year-old will bounce back in 2026. For one, Los Angeles hired Mike McDaniel as its new play-caller for 2026, which should help open up the offense and maximize McConkey's talent. Secondly, former Chargers wideout Keenan Allen currently remains unsigned. Allen led the team in targets in 2025 and also forced McConkey out of his natural position in the slot. As long as Allen does not end up back in Los Angeles, McConkey should be in line to set a new career-high in targets this year. In dynasty leagues where his stock is down, McConkey profiles as a prime buy-low target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tre' Harris Worth a Look in Deeper Redraft Leagues
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre' Harris had a quiet rookie year, but he gave the team a little more to think about down the stretch. Harris caught 30 passes for 324 yards and one touchdown on 43 targets. He produced 187 of those yards over the final six games, and 18 of his 30 catches moved the chains. The 2025 second-round pick also played well as a blocker, which helped him stay involved even when the ball was not coming his way. Now there is fresh encouragement from Mike McDaniel. The Chargers offensive coordinator said Harris showed more burst than he expected during the offseason program. The opportunity is still messy. Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston are coming off productive seasons, and fourth-round rookie Brenen Thompson brings more speed to the room. Harris has to force his way into a steady role before he matters in most leagues. RotoBaller has him at WR81. That keeps him off the standard-league priority list, but the late finish, draft capital, and offseason praise make him worth a look in deeper redraft formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
