NFL draft: Chargers select Mississippi State WR Brenen Thompson in 4th round
EL SEGUNDO - The Chargers addressed their biggest needs in the first two days of the NFL draft, made trades that netted them additional selections and then seemed to be playing with the house's money on the third and final day Saturday, bolstering their roster at several positions.
"As much fun as (Friday) was, (Saturday) was more fun," Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said after making the last of his eight selections. Coach Jim Harbaugh called the final day "an epic day." Added assistant GM Chad Alexander: "We really improved the team this weekend. We couldn't be happier."
The Chargers picked University of Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor with their first-round selection Thursday, an additional pass rusher beyond Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu. Then they selected Florida center Jake Slaughter with their second-round pick Friday, adding depth to their offensive line.
Two trades Friday set the Chargers up with seven selections for the third and final day of the draft. They began Saturday with three picks in the fourth round, one in the fifth and three in the sixth, quite a haul considering they went into the draft with only five picks, two on the final day.
With the first of their fourth-round picks the Chargers took Mississippi State wide receiver Brenen Thompson, whose speed fits seamlessly into the game plan of new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Thompson clocked a 4.26-second time for his 40-yard dash at the draft combine.
It's said to be the third-fastest 40 time by a wide receiver in combine history.
McDaniel was so excited about the prospect of adding Thompson to his offense for next season and beyond that the Chargers' social media team captured him telling everyone in the draft room that "In this formula, if you can find a way to get Brenen Thompson, I will take my shirt off in here."
"If you're not fired up, you're dead," McDaniel told the room moments later. "No pulse."
In the end, McDaniel kept his shirt on, according to Hortiz.
"It's God-given," Thompson said of his speed during a video conference call with reporters. "I've always been fast my whole life. I'm so excited. It's a perfect fit. I'm excited to get with McDaniel and get to work. I'd say I'm explosive as a route runner. I think I'm going to fit in perfectly."
Thompson compares favorably to former Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson, a Long Beach Poly High School alum, as much for his stature as well as his speed. Thompson was listed at 5-foot-9 and 164 pounds at the draft combine, making him one of the slightest players in the draft.
Next, the Chargers traded up to select Memphis tackle Travis Burke with the 117th pick, sending the 123rd and 204th picks to the Houston Texans. Burke was officially listed at 6-foot-9 and 325 pounds at the draft combine, making him the tallest Chargers player on the roster.
"Just a massive human being," Alexander said of Burke. "Huge."
The Chargers completed their fourth-round selections by taking University of Arizona safety Genesis Smith with the 131st overall pick. They used their lone pick in the fifth round to take South Carolina defensive tackle Nick Barrett (145th), ending a run of four straight offensive picks.
In the sixth round, the Chargers selected Boston College guard Logan Taylor with the 202nd pick and then took University of Oregon guard Alex Harkey with the 206th selection. The Chargers did not have a pick in the seventh and final round, and they didn't make a move to acquire one.
"There was one bad trade offer," Hortiz said. "But, like, no. We would have had to move off one of our sixth-round picks and then you go back too far (into the seventh round) and it just wasn't worth it. We had players we liked, so let's just take the players we liked (in the sixth)."
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This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 9:54 AM.