RADIO
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
Kimani Vidal an Underrated Insurance Running Back
While excitement continues to build around the Los Angeles Chargers' offense, an often overlooked player has become third-year running back Kimani Vidal. Omarion Hampton flashed enough in an injury-shortened rookie season to show why he was a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and Keaton Mitchell's game-breaking speed makes his fit in a Mike McDaniel offense easy to envision, but it was Vidal who led the team in carries and rushing yards a season ago, and he could still serve an important role moving forward. While Mitchell has more standalone fantasy value as the likely change-of-pace back, he is ill-equipped to handle a full workload should Hampton miss time again in his second season, making Vidal more of the true handcuff in this offense. At RotoBaller's RB74, he is not a player who needs to be targeted in fantasy drafts, but Vidal should still be viewed as one of the league's more valuable insurance backs, especially with the Chargers expected to field a much healthier offensive line in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brenen Thompson is Intriguing Dynasty League Stash
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Brenen Thompson might be able to carve out a consistent role for himself right away. The Chargers selected Thompson in the fourth-round of this year's draft. The Mississippi State product led the SEC in receiving yards and put on a show during the NFL Combine. Thompson could immediately push Tre' Harris for the third wideout role in this offense. Due to a lack of reps, Thompson will probably begin the season behind Harris, but it might not last too long. If Thompson proves himself, he could factor into the weekly gameplan in Los Angeles. He's not an ideal option in redraft formats, but Thompson is someone worth considering as a stash option in dynasty leagues.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Keaton Mitchell Could be Low-Cost Trade Target
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell could be primed for a breakout campaign in 2026. Due to injuries and Derrick Henry, Mitchell wasn't able to fully unleash his skillset during his time in Baltimore. The 24-year-old has now moved on and signed a two-year deal with the Chargers this offseason. Mitchell has a clearer path to carries with Omarion Hampton as the only other legitimate threat on the roster. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel wasn't afraid to pound the ball with De'Von Achane in Miami. He has a few viable options in Hampton, Mitchell, and Kimani Vidal in Los Angeles. If Mitchell can prove he's healthy, there's a good chance he becomes the change-of-pace back behind Hampton. His fantasy value is likely only going to rise, so fantasy managers should target him now as a low-cost option before the season begins.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Justin Herbert Well-Positioned for a Fantasy Resurgence
Los Angeles Chargers seventh-year veteran Justin Herbert has become one of the most polarizing quarterbacks in the league in recent years, but for those who have always believed in his talent, the situation he now finds himself in makes him an obvious target in 2026 drafts. 2025 first-round pick Omarion Hampton comes into the year at full health after missing eight games as a rookie, as does an offensive line that played poorly enough through its own injury struggles to earn Herbert a token MVP vote. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel brings excitement into the building, and a heavy investment at both fullback and tight end should lead to more big-play opportunities through heavy play-action usage. Unable to crack the top nine since his QB2 finish of 2021, Herbert is well-positioned to rejoin the fantasy elite, and at RotoBaller's QB8, he can still be found in the middle rounds of single-quarterback drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
