Top 10 Los Angeles Chargers Players Going Into the 2026-27 NFL Season

The Chargers are once again looking to prove themselves and take that next step forward. Everyone loves to crown them offseason champions, but it hasn't translated to as much success in the regular season or postseason, for that matter.

The Chargers are good, but they're not in the top echelon of teams quite yet. They're just sort of there. I think they'll have the potential to make a deep run, but until they do, they're always that hypothetical IF team. Will this be the year the narrative changes?

The Top Ten

Justin Herbert

Justin Patrick Herbert (born March 10, 1998) is an American football quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL).
He played college football for the Oregon Ducks, winning the 2019 Pac-12 Championship, and was selected by the Chargers as the sixth overall pick... read more

Justin Herbert is the face of the franchise and is generally considered a good quarterback. How good? Well, that depends on who you ask. On paper, yes, he's a good quarterback, arguably top 10 in the league. He has 2 Pro Bowls, but that's about it.
Statistically, he is good, but he's always been this "social media quarterback." In other words, everyone thinks he's so good, but in reality, he has no meaningful results and hasn't even won a playoff game. I think Mike McDaniel and Jim Harbaugh can get the most out of him, but at some point, he has to show up in the playoffs to shake the narrative.
Joe Alt

Alt has been an elite young offensive tackle for the Chargers. In just 2 seasons, he has already established himself as one of the top offensive tackles in the entire league. He made the PFWA All-Rookie team in 2024 and made a Pro Bowl in 2025. As long as he stays healthy, he'll be a cornerstone for the Chargers offensive line for a decade.
Derwin James

Derwin James is an interesting case. He had a solid rookie season in 2018, then missed most of his second year and third season. Fortunately, since his return in 2021, he has been able to recapture that potential he showed as a rookie. He has 5 Pro Bowls and multiple All-Pro honors.
He's a very versatile player and has elite coverage and run support. PFF gave him an 81.2 grade in 2025, ranking in the top 10 across the league at his position.
Rashawn Slater

Slater is excellent and one of the top left tackles in the NFL as long as he's healthy. However, that seems to be his one fatal flaw. He missed most of the 2022 season with injuries and then missed the entire 2025 season with a torn patellar tendon.
When he is on the field, he's excellent as a pass protector. He has 2 Pro Bowls and a Second Team All-Pro to his name so far. The Chargers need him to be at his best if they want to make a deep run.
Tuli Tuipulotu

Tuli is an emerging star and has been a very solid linebacker for the Chargers. He had a great 2025 season with 13 sacks, ranking 6th in the league, and 20 tackles for loss, with 49 total tackles and 35 solo tackles.
He earned a Pro Bowl bid in 2025 as well. Tuli has a physical and relentless play style and has really become a staple on the Chargers defense.
Daiyan Henley

Henley continues to be a rising star for the Chargers defense. He spent his rookie season on special teams before carving out a true starting role in 2024, and he exploded with 147 total tackles in 2024. He followed that up with a solid 2025 season with 103 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions, all career highs.
It's clear he's becoming a true stud on the Chargers defense. Being very versatile, he excels in both pass defense and run defense. He's become a true leader on the defensive side of the ball with high expectations in 2026.
Omarion Hampton

Omarion Hampton is a promising young running back for the Chargers, finishing with 545 yards and 4 touchdowns, also 192 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown.
He showed flashes of his potential, and I think everyone is expecting him to have a breakout season in year 2. With Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator and getting the majority of the carries, I think we could really see his potential in full bloom.
Khalil Mack

Khalil Mack is an American football outside linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers. He entered the NFL as the fifth overall pick in the 2014 draft and has earned multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections. In March 2026, he re-signed with the Chargers on a one-year, $18 million deal.

Khalil Mack is one of those guys who has been steady and consistent throughout his career. He's an elite edge defender, and he's a potential Hall of Fame player. Even at 35, he still continues to play at a high level.
Granted, he isn't the same as he once was in the late 2010s, but he's still a core part of the Chargers defense, bringing veteran experience. His resume speaks for itself with 9 Pro Bowls, 4 First Team All-Pros, a Second Team All-Pro, and 2016 Defensive Player of the Year. There's really nothing else he has left to prove.
Ladd McConkey

Ladd McConkey is an interesting player. He is a two-time national champion in college who has had mixed results in the NFL. His first season, he looked good with 1,149 yards and 7 touchdowns. The promise and potential were there, but then 2025 was a setback for him with only 789 yards.
He was sharing receptions with Keenan Allen, but the scheme wasn't exactly working for both guys, and Ladd had a significant drop-off. But I think his third year, he'll be the top guy in the Chargers wide receiver room and should see a boost back to where he was as a rookie.
Donte Jackson

Jackson is a decent veteran cornerback. He finished with 4 interceptions and 12 passes defended in 2025, leading the Chargers secondary in both categories. The Chargers signed him on a 2-year, 13 million dollar deal, and honestly, they got a steal with how he's played so far. He's shown he can be a true leader in that secondary.
He's honestly an underrated, hidden gem that doesn't get near enough credit. It wouldn't surprise me if he sticks around after 2026.