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We're less than a week out from the 2026 NFL Draft. The Chargers still hold five of their picks, but recent comments from general manager Joe Hortiz seem to suggest that LA will try to move around the board to add a few more bites at the apple.
With that in mind, let's examine one prospect for every round of the draft at wide receiver.
Hortiz was adamant earlier this week that the Chargers have not and are not exploring trading wide receiver Quentin Johnston, but it still seems unlikely that Johnston's fifth-year option will be picked up for the 2027 season. That would make the 2022 first-rounder a pending free agent and could lead the Chargers to look for a long-term replacement. Boston can win outside or inside and is one of the best contested catch receivers in this year's class and could step into the X role as a sophomore if Johnston departs in free agency.
Stribling, who spent his elementary school years in San Diego, has been a late riser in this year's pre-draft process. Widely mocked as a Day 3 prospect until recently, the former Washington State and Oklahoma State receiver is the No. 67 player on The Athletic's big board compiled by Dane Brugler. Another big-bodied catcher with strong ball skills, he profiles as more of a secondary or tertiary option long-term, which would mesh well with Ladd McConkey and Tre' Harris already entrenched on the depth chart.
Burks hasn't been a returner since 2022, but his size and quickness (4.30 40-yard dash) profile as someone who could push Derius Davis both as a special teams and offensive player after Davis' struggles with injury and performance in 2025. Burks is lethal after the catch and crisp on double moves, which gives him a three-level value on offense that Davis has yet to develop. He'd be a worthy pivot if Zachariah Branch (Georgia) or Brenen Thompson (Mississippi State) go off the board earlier in the draft.
One of only four FBS receivers with an average depth of target under 3.5 yards, Law's tape shows a pure gadget player who will need to develop his route-running acumen to stick in the NFL. His 4.45 speed and short-area quickness suggest that he could develop into more of a deep threat in addition to his success on underneath routes. He's played gunner and returned kicks and punts, so he could also push Davis if he lands in LA.
A one-year high school football player due to a growth spurt from 5'8" to 6'5" between junior and senior year of high school, Caldwell spent three seasons at Lindenwood before transferring up to Cincinnati for his senior year. He ran a 4.31 40-yard dash at that size - a ridiculous combination of size and speed - but is still developing his ability. His production at Cincinnati was cut in half after a 1,000-yard season at Lindenwood, and he struggles to make contested catches despite his frame. Even so, his physical traits are undeniable, and LA has the depth to accommodate a developmental flier of his caliber.
Wetjen has barely played wide receiver in college - he has 23 career receptions for 197 yards in six seasons between Iowa Western Community College and Iowa. But he's the first back-to-back winner of the Jet Award, given to the nation's best return specialist, and was the only FBS player to record both a kick and punt return touchdown in 2025. His week at the East-West Shrine Bowl - where the Chargers had a hefty scouting presence - shows that he has untapped ability as a pure receiver.
A two-time team captain and known grinder through injuries, Roberts has to win more with craftiness than with athleticism. A 4.56 40-yard dash won't pop off the page, but the 25-year-old Roberts led BYU in receiving in 2023 and 2024 and was a third-team all-conference selection in 2025. He profiles as a possession target who will need to grind out reps on special teams to stick around, but his 6'3", 204 lb frame will likely be enough to get him in the building.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: 1 wide receiver in every round for the Chargers
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With that in mind, let's examine one prospect for every round of the draft at wide receiver.
Round 1: Denzel Boston, Washington
Hortiz was adamant earlier this week that the Chargers have not and are not exploring trading wide receiver Quentin Johnston, but it still seems unlikely that Johnston's fifth-year option will be picked up for the 2027 season. That would make the 2022 first-rounder a pending free agent and could lead the Chargers to look for a long-term replacement. Boston can win outside or inside and is one of the best contested catch receivers in this year's class and could step into the X role as a sophomore if Johnston departs in free agency.
Round 2: De'Zhaun Stribling, Mississippi
Stribling, who spent his elementary school years in San Diego, has been a late riser in this year's pre-draft process. Widely mocked as a Day 3 prospect until recently, the former Washington State and Oklahoma State receiver is the No. 67 player on The Athletic's big board compiled by Dane Brugler. Another big-bodied catcher with strong ball skills, he profiles as more of a secondary or tertiary option long-term, which would mesh well with Ladd McConkey and Tre' Harris already entrenched on the depth chart.
Round 3: Deion Burks, Oklahoma
Burks hasn't been a returner since 2022, but his size and quickness (4.30 40-yard dash) profile as someone who could push Derius Davis both as a special teams and offensive player after Davis' struggles with injury and performance in 2025. Burks is lethal after the catch and crisp on double moves, which gives him a three-level value on offense that Davis has yet to develop. He'd be a worthy pivot if Zachariah Branch (Georgia) or Brenen Thompson (Mississippi State) go off the board earlier in the draft.
Round 4: Kendrick Law, Kentucky
One of only four FBS receivers with an average depth of target under 3.5 yards, Law's tape shows a pure gadget player who will need to develop his route-running acumen to stick in the NFL. His 4.45 speed and short-area quickness suggest that he could develop into more of a deep threat in addition to his success on underneath routes. He's played gunner and returned kicks and punts, so he could also push Davis if he lands in LA.
Round 5: Jeff Caldwell, Cincinnati
A one-year high school football player due to a growth spurt from 5'8" to 6'5" between junior and senior year of high school, Caldwell spent three seasons at Lindenwood before transferring up to Cincinnati for his senior year. He ran a 4.31 40-yard dash at that size - a ridiculous combination of size and speed - but is still developing his ability. His production at Cincinnati was cut in half after a 1,000-yard season at Lindenwood, and he struggles to make contested catches despite his frame. Even so, his physical traits are undeniable, and LA has the depth to accommodate a developmental flier of his caliber.
Round 6: Kaden Wetjen, Iowa
Wetjen has barely played wide receiver in college - he has 23 career receptions for 197 yards in six seasons between Iowa Western Community College and Iowa. But he's the first back-to-back winner of the Jet Award, given to the nation's best return specialist, and was the only FBS player to record both a kick and punt return touchdown in 2025. His week at the East-West Shrine Bowl - where the Chargers had a hefty scouting presence - shows that he has untapped ability as a pure receiver.
Round 7: Chase Roberts, BYU
A two-time team captain and known grinder through injuries, Roberts has to win more with craftiness than with athleticism. A 4.56 40-yard dash won't pop off the page, but the 25-year-old Roberts led BYU in receiving in 2023 and 2024 and was a third-team all-conference selection in 2025. He profiles as a possession target who will need to grind out reps on special teams to stick around, but his 6'3", 204 lb frame will likely be enough to get him in the building.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: 1 wide receiver in every round for the Chargers
Continue reading...
