3 Chargers Fantasy Football Players to Target - and 2 to Watch

The Los Angeles Chargers could be one of the NFL's most important offenses for fantasy football in 2026.

That doesn't necessarily mean every Chargers skill-position player is destined for a breakout. In fact, figuring out which players are positioned to benefit most from the team's new-look offense could be the key to finding value on draft day.

The biggest change is the arrival of Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator. McDaniel brings an offense built around motion, spacing and creating advantageous matchups — exactly the type of system that can turn talented players into fantasy difference-makers.

The Chargers also have a healthier offensive line, with Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt anchoring the unit, and an emerging group of weapons around Justin Herbert.

Here are the players fantasy managers should know.

The former first-round pick's rookie season was disrupted by a significant ankle injury, but his production before the injury showed why the Chargers invested heavily in him. Hampton played more than 50% of the offensive snaps in only seven games, yet averaged 16.2 fantasy points in those contests.

That's the number fantasy managers should remember.

Hampton also showed that he can contribute as a receiver, giving him an important path to fantasy production even when the rushing lanes aren't there.

Now he enters Year 2 with the potential to become the focal point of an offense designed by McDaniel.

The departure of Najee Harris should help consolidate the backfield workload, while a healthier offensive line could create more opportunities for Hampton to operate efficiently. Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal will have roles, but Hampton has the clearest path to becoming the Chargers' featured back.

His current consensus ADP sits around 14th overall, putting him in the second round of many fantasy drafts.

That might sound expensive for a player coming off an injury-shortened rookie season. But if Hampton stays healthy, his combination of rushing volume, receiving ability and offensive environment gives him a legitimate chance to finish among the top running backs in fantasy. 

VERDICT: Hampton has the clearest path to a massive workload in the Chargers' offense and possesses the receiving ability to remain productive in any game script. His injury history adds some risk, but the upside is too significant to ignore at his current draft cost.

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Ladd McConkey: The dynasty stash

McConkey's 2025 numbers may have fantasy managers hesitating.

They shouldn't.

After exploding onto the scene with 82 receptions for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024, McConkey slipped to 66 receptions for 789 yards and six touchdowns last season.

The important part? The talent didn't disappear.

McConkey remains one of Herbert's most trusted targets, and his skill set should fit extremely well in McDaniel's offense. His ability to work from the slot, move around the formation and generate yards after the catch makes him particularly well suited for a scheme that emphasizes creating space.

The Chargers also have plenty of questions behind him.

Quentin Johnston, Tre Harris, Oronde Gadsden II and David Njoku will all command targets, but McConkey is the most established option in the passing game.

If he moves closer to his 2024 production, his fantasy value could rise considerably.

This is a classic buy-low opportunity: you're drafting the player you expect McConkey to become rather than simply paying for last year's numbers.

VERDICT: McConkey is an ideal bounce-back candidate after his production dipped from his 2024 breakout season. With a strong connection to Justin Herbert and a potentially favorable role in Mike McDaniel's offense, McConkey has a legitimate chance to return to WR1 territory.

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Justin Herbert: The quarterback value nobody should ignore

Herbert doesn't have to throw for 5,000 yards to be a fantasy star.

In 2025, he produced 3,727 passing yards and 26 touchdowns, while adding an impressive 498 rushing yards.

That rushing production is a major part of his fantasy appeal.

Herbert can accumulate points without relying exclusively on touchdown passes, and the Chargers' new offensive structure could create even more opportunities for efficient passing.

The potential downside is volume. With Hampton potentially emerging as a true workhorse and McDaniel bringing a run-oriented philosophy to Los Angeles, Herbert may not be asked to throw 40 times every week.

But fantasy managers don't need that kind of volume if Herbert is efficient and continues contributing on the ground.

He's currently valued around the QB7-QB10 range, which creates an attractive draft-day proposition. You're paying for a quarterback who is generally viewed as a mid-to-low QB1 while betting on the possibility that the new offense unlocks a higher ceiling.

VERDICT: Herbert's combination of passing production and rushing ability gives him one of the safer fantasy floors among quarterbacks outside the elite tier. If McDaniel's offense creates more explosive plays, Herbert has the upside to finish well above his current QB7-QB10 range.

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Njoku is the most interesting Chargers tight end for immediate redraft purposes, but he's also one of the hardest players to project.

His athleticism and red-zone ability give him obvious fantasy appeal, particularly in an offense that should create opportunities for tight ends. The problem is competition.

Charlie Kolar and Oronde Gadsden II are also expected to be involved, meaning Njoku may not receive the consistent target volume necessary to become a weekly difference-maker.

That makes him more attractive as a late-round selection than an early investment.

If the Chargers consolidate the tight end targets around Njoku, he could quickly become a weekly starter. If the workload is split three ways, he'll be much more touchdown-dependent.

VERDICT: Njoku has the talent and red-zone ability to become a useful fantasy tight end, but competition for snaps and targets creates too much uncertainty to make him a priority pick. He's worth targeting late, particularly if the Chargers establish him as their primary receiving tight end.

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If Njoku is the safer short-term bet, Gadsden is the player with the more intriguing long-term ceiling.

Gadsden has the receiving ability to develop into a significant part of the Chargers' offense, and McDaniel's scheme could create some fascinating opportunities for him.

The problem is patience.

With Njoku and Kolar competing for snaps and targets, Gadsden may not immediately produce enough to become a reliable fantasy starter. That makes him a more compelling dynasty asset than a redraft target.

Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should keep him on the radar, particularly if his role expands early in the season.

VERDICT: Gadsden is an intriguing option thanks to his receiving upside and potential fit in McDaniel's offense. His immediate fantasy value is limited by the Chargers' crowded tight end room, but an expanded role could make him a breakout candidate down the road.