Los Angeles

Chargers

“If McDaniel can build a top-five offense, Hampton will be an essential part in that process,” Popper writes while noting that he “has a chance to be one of the best running backs in the league. That is not hyperbole.” It seems some of you have already caught on as Hampton is being drafted ahead of backs like Saquon Barkley, Kenneth Walker, and Derrick Henry as a top 10 RB by ADP. Assuming he can avoid the injuries that derailed his rookie season, Hampton has a chance to finish as one of the best backs in fantasy football this season.

We’ve had blurbs about a bounceback season for McConkey, but given how McConkey was behind Keenan Allen in targets last year and only 18 targets ahead of Quentin Johnston, this quote jumped off the page. McConkey managed 884 yards in the final 10 games of his rookie season, along with 197 more yards in the playoffs — the offense may be too deep to get him that level of production again, but he’s certainly shown he’s capable of great things as the No. 1 option. The offseason hype has already priced him right around WR20, so fantasy managers are already expecting a big year from McConkey despite last year’s dud.

“Time will tell,” Tuipulotu said when asked about contract negotiations. Popper writes that the Chargers and Tuipulotu are in active contract extensions. The star EDGE had a career-best 13 sacks in 2025 and it would behoove the Chargers to lock him up before he hits free agency after the season.

New Chargers OC Mike McDaniel reduced Herbert’s throwing frequency in spring practices in an effort to keep Herbert’s arm fresh later in the season. Herbert is instead focused on adjusting his shotgun footwork according to McDaniel’s unorthodox, yet often successful preferences. According to Rhim, this led to Herbert and his receivers frequently being “just out of sync on timing” in team drills. That said, Rhim believes that this is " an expected part of implementing a new offense but something that will need to improve during training camp.” We agree. This is not overly concerning, but it will be worthwhile to follow up on Herbert’s connection with his pass catchers.

Harris figures to be Los Angeles’ third receiver this year, but he played a majority of his snaps on run downs last year and could gain extra playing time over Ladd McConkey if he clearly is the best option in that area. There are still a few veteran free agent land mines in the way of Harris having fantasy value, but the Chargers seem to be trending towards a bigger, more run-focused outfit with the additions of David Njoku and Charlie Kolar. Harris should be an interesting sleeper this year.

It will be very hard for Thompson to return fantasy value, but he sure is fun. When the Chargers drafted Thompson, OC Mike McDaniel hopped on the phone to tell Thompson that he is “going to do elite stuff” in the NFL. Thompson (5'9/164) clocked a 4.26-second 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine, and GM Joe Hortiz compared Thompson’s size, height and speed combination to WRs Tyreek Hill and DeSean Jackson. Chargers WRs Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston appear to hold the Nos. 1 and 2 spots on the depth chart, and the team likes WR Tre’ Harris’ blocking abilities. Keep an eye on Thompson in training camp, but note that it is very hard for rotational players — assuming he earns a rotational role — to contribute in fantasy.

Huge, if true. For his part, Hampton seemed unfamiliar with Davis’ game but vowed to “check out his highlights.” This might seem like a silly summer storyline — and, to be clear, it is — but it does at least serve to highlight that Hampton remains comfortably ahead of free agent addition Keaton Mitchell, who has taken up lots of digital ink this offseason. McDaniel’s comparison means very little, but you don’t throw out the name Terrell Davis for a back you aren’t planning to be one of the cornerstones of the offense. Currently being drafted in the low-end RB1 range, Hampton’s ADP is sky high considering his limited rookie accomplishments, but he could end up being in the right place at the right time with McDaniel’s proven fantasy system coming to Los Angeles.

McConkey echoed Jim Harbaugh’s message that he doesn’t view it as a significant concern. It is at least a mild one considering it’s costing McConkey reps in a new offense, and could grow into a bigger one if he’s sidelined longer than the internal estimate. That said, most players recover from hamstring strains in weeks instead of months and there’s no reason to believe McConkey won’t be ready for camp.

Reporters haven’t spotted McConkey at recent practices, though Harbaugh said he will participate in individual drills today. This is likely just a minor injury and Harbaugh has said it “isn’t a big concern.” We’ll keep an eye on this but it probably shouldn’t impact his best ball position much from what we know now.

McDaniel runs a fantasy-friendly scheme, particularly for wide receivers. His play designs setup players to run for extra yardage after the catch. His frequent use of fullbacks, and moderate use of two-tight end sets, reduces the wide receiver position’s target competition quality. We can expect whichever Chargers wide receivers are on the field to produce efficiently. If Johnston can secure a dominant snap share as the WR2, he can easily return value on his current WR43 ADP in best ball.