2 hidden gems on Chargers’ 2026 roster you need to know

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2 hidden gems on Chargers’ 2026 roster you need to know

Chris Spiering, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Mon, Jun 1, 2026 ·

4 min read

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The Los Angeles Chargers are coming off back-to-back 11-win seasons and a first-round exit in the playoffs. Head coach Jim Harbaugh has helped build a winning team in Los Angeles , but they are still trying to help Justin Herbert get his first playoff win . The roster is definitely good enough to help him get over the hump.

The Chargers have key weapons all over the field. These players are known to make big plays time and time again. Sometimes, however, a player who is not expected to make an impact excels and becomes a key factor for the entire season. Here are two Chargers' hidden gems that could become stars in 2026 and beyond.

Tre Harris

Bolts' second-year receiver Tre Harris will take a major step forward in 2026. His stats don't tell the entire story of how impactful Harris really was in his rookie year last season. The Ole Miss product proved to be a valuable run blocker. His time playing with Keenan Allen certainly helped with that. Allen has been known to be one of the best run blocking receivers since he came into the league, not just a wizard on third down.

In his rookie year, Harris was featured in many different personnel packages when the Chargers' primary focus was to run the ball. He served as a valuable backup to Allen and Quentin Johnston . It is unclear if Allen will return to the Bolts this season, and if he does not, then Harris will become the top run-blocking receiver on the roster. You will see him involved a lot in those sets.

His 30 receptions on 43 targets for 324 yards and one touchdown are respectable stats for a rookie in a crowded room. Could you imagine what the room would have looked like if Mike Williams hadn't retired before the season? Either way, the Chargers drafted Harris in the second round to be a valuable asset for Herbert. 18 of his 30 receptions were for first downs. Keenan Allen 2.0?

Look for the 24-year-old to make big plays in 2026.

As things stand right now, Harris is WR3 behind Johnston and Ladd McConkey . Current rookie and 4th round pick, Brenen Thompson, is a very fast receiver who will be in the slot. It's unclear if he or KeAndre Lambert-Smith will be WR4.

Keaton Mitchell

There is a world where Keaton Mitchell touches the ball more than any other player not named Omarion Hampton in 2026. Mitchell will be RB2 or RB3 after signing with the Baltimore Ravens . Mitchell follows Joe Hortiz to LA and goes from one Harbaugh to another. When healthy, Mitchell has proven to be a very good running back. Though Kimani Vidal could be the RB2 to start after a great 2025 season.

Hampton will be the starting running back after being selected in the first round last year. He had a breakout game before his injury that saw him miss almost half the season. Make no mistake, Hampton is the best RB on this roster by far, but Mitchell can make a huge impact both as a runner and as a receiver.

In 2023, Mitchell carried the ball 47 times for 396 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 8.4 yards per carry. After a scary injury in 2024, he missed most of that year and some of 2025. He still averaged 5.8 yards per carry in 2025 with 59 carries for 341 yards.

The former Raven averages 6.3 yards per carry for his career and has a good chance to keep that going in this system. Mike McDaniel , the Bolts' OC, will create some elite packages for Mitchell. He averages 9.7 yards per catch for his career as well.

Mitchell has a chance to get his career going after recovering from an injury and playing in a system that fits him well. Let's see how the Chargers utilize both of these potentially rising stars.

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