OC to use hot hand approach at RB
New Chargers OC Mike McDaniel said Monday he'll likely use a "hot hand" approach in the backfield this season, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
"Bad news, fantasy owners," McDaniel said regarding the roles for Hampton, Kimani Vidal and Keaton Mitchell. "Good news is I see all three of those guys producing at a very high level. Bad news is I can't tell you which games those are." Hampton is being drafted in the second round of best-ball drafts currently, which appears to be a rich price for a player involved in what could be a convoluted backfield in 2026. Hampton wasn't handpicked by McDaniel, and the team signed Mitchell to a two-year, $9.25 million deal at McDaniel's request during the offseason. Vidal has the trust of coach Jim Harbaugh after what he did in Hampton's place last season. There are a lot of mouths to feed in this offense as a whole, making Hampton a high-risk, potentially-high-reward fantasy pick.
More Los Angeles Chargers Fantasy Football News
Keaton Mitchell
Will have role on game days
Chargers OC Mike McDaniel said Monday that Mitchell will have an offensive role on game days this season, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.
Omarion Hampton
Praised by McDaniel for recent growth
Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that Hampton has arguably shown "the most growth of any player" since the start of the offseason, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.
Ladd McConkey
Will be full go for camp
McConkey (hamstring) said he'll be "full go" for the start of training camp Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Cameron Dicker
Gearing up for fifth season
Dicker is entering his fifth NFL campaign, his fourth as the Chargers' undisputed starting kicker.
Quentin Johnston
Expects more YAC in new scheme
Johnston said at mandatory minicamp that he's excited for new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's scheme and expects to be "set up for the yards after catch," Omar Navarro of the Chargers' official site reports.
Omarion Hampton
Excited for McDaniel's system
Hampton said Wednesday that he and the other Chargers running backs are excited to play for offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, NFL.com's Bobby Kownack reports.
Ladd McConkey
Dealing with strained hamstring
McConkey said Tuesday that he's tending to a left hamstring strain, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.
Ladd McConkey
Limited to individual drills
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Tuesday that McConkey (undisclosed) is "working through something" and will be limited to individual drills at mandatory minicamp, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.
Justin Herbert
Focused on improving footwork
Herbert said Tuesday that a priority during OTAs has been to overhaul his footwork under the direction of new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, Kris Rhim of ESPN reports.
Tre' Harris
Looking at expanded role in 2026
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday that Harris is "clearly" part of the team's top three wide receivers alongside Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston at OTAs, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.