Jim Harbaugh
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Jim Harbaugh is preparing for the success of the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Los Angeles Chargers will be on the clock in the 2026 NFL Draft in less than three weeks.
The Chargers have five total selections to work with. Despite already heavily addressing the position during free agency, many believe that offensive line is still their top roster need, particularly at guard.
Not far behind that on Los Angeles’ list is an edge rusher after losing Odafe Oweh to the Washington Commanders. One underrated aspect to the draft is teams taking players that fill future needs, even if they’re already set at the position for the upcoming season.
Safety Named ‘Surprising Need’ for Los Angeles Chargers in 2026 NFL Draft
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report recently tagged each team with one surprising need to address during the draft. He chose running back for the Chargers, and believes they could select one as early as the first round. Here are some options he named specifically:
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren- Toledo
Dillon Thieneman- Oregon
Jalon Kilgore- South Carolina
From Ballentine: The Chargers have primary needs on both the offensive and defensive lines. So it will be widely assumed that a Jim Harbaugh-coached team is going to go after those needs aggressively in the draft. However, there’s a creeping need at safety that could wind up on the board in the first round. Derwin James has just one year left on his contract. Tony Jefferson is 34 years old and Elijah Molden took a step back last season. That could make the Chargers a sneaky home for either Emmanuel McNeil-Warren or Dillon Thieneman in the first round.
Neither are graded as highly as Caleb Downs, but both carry first-round grades. New defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary has served as a safeties coach before so he could love the versatility that Thieneman brings to the table. ‘Dillon Theineman’s versatile skillset is being underrated as a true three-down impact defender in the NFL. He can line up anywhere, triggers downhill in a hurry, and gives the coaching staff his all whenever he’s on the field. The effort shows up in every phase,’ B/R scout Daniel Harms noted in his scouting report. He’s the kind of player who could have the Chargers breaking their typical lineman-first philosophy.”
Examining the Current State of Chargers’ Safety Position
Derwin James Los Angeles Chargers Drake Maye
GettyChargers S Derwin James
James is still playing at an elite level, as he was named to the Pro Bowl and a Second-Team All-Pro in 2025. However, as he enters the final year of his deal and turns 30 years old in August, the Chargers have to decide if they want to commit another huge contract to him, especially considering his lengthy injury history.
Molden also has some injury concerns dating back to his days with the Tennessee Titans. He had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee earlier this offseason. As Ballentine pointed out, age is an issue for Jefferson, and Los Angeles has to be prepared for a potential drop off in quality of play. Depth players such as RJ Mickens and Kendall Williamson have very limited NFL experience.