#136 overall · LAC · 121.4 projected half-PPR pts · -24.4 Draft Value
Los Angeles Chargers — 2026 Fantasy Outlook
The case for drafting him
The Los Angeles Chargers defense has been one of the more consistent pass-rush units in recent memory. Sacks have landed at 48, 45, and 45 across the last three seasons, a three-year average of 46 per year. The interception numbers have actually climbed: 9 in 2023, 15 in 2024, and 19 in 2025, with a three-year average of 14.3. That kind of takeaway trajectory is the foundation of DST fantasy value, and the 2025 season added a safety on top of it. Points allowed dropped from 398 in 2023 to 301 in 2024 before settling at 340 in 2025, with the three-year average sitting at 346.3. In 2024, seven of their games saw opponents held to 14-20 points, and only one game allowed 35 or more. The unit has shown it can produce big-play weeks.
What the model projects
The projection is 121.4 half-PPR fantasy points for the 2026 season. The draft value is -24.4, meaning the projection sits below the replacement-level baseline for the DST position in a 12-team half-PPR format. The Chargers rank DST10 at the position and #136 overall, placing them in Tier 9. Their bye week falls in Week 7.
| Sacks | INT | FF | FR | TD | Saf | PA | PA 0 | PA 1-6 | PA 7-13 | PA 14-20 | PA 21-27 | PA 28-34 | PA 35+ | Half-PPR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 48 | 9 | 15 | 12 | 1 | — | 398 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 127.0 |
| 2024 | 45 | 15 | 8 | 6 | 1 | — | 301 | — | 1 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 130.0 |
| 2025 | 45 | 19 | 10 | 4 | — | 1 | 340 | — | — | 4 | 7 | 4 | — | 2 | 118.0 |
| 3-yr avg | 46 | 14.3 | 11 | 7.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 346.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 105.0 |
The range of outcomes
The three-year history gives a clear picture of the variance this unit carries. Sacks have been stable, ranging from 45 to 48 across all three seasons. Interceptions are the wilder variable: 9 in 2023, 15 in 2024, 19 in 2025. Fumbles forced have ranged from 8 to 15, and fumbles recovered from 4 to 12. Points allowed per game is the other lever: in 2023, three games allowed 35 or more points; in 2024, that number dropped to one. A season where the takeaway pace holds near the 2025 level and the defense limits high-scoring games pushes the ceiling. A season where fumble recoveries stay near the 2025 floor of 4 and points allowed creep back toward 2023 levels pulls the floor down. The projection at 121.4 points reflects a unit that is capable but not a lock for weekly relevance.
How to draft him
The Chargers DST is not being drafted consistently enough across platforms to carry a market ADP, so there is no draft-slot anchor to work from. At DST10 and #136 overall with a negative draft value, this is a late-round or streaming-tier option. The Week 7 bye is worth noting when building your roster: plan for a replacement that week. If you are targeting a set-and-forget DST, the projection and draft value suggest the Chargers are not that unit. If you are comfortable streaming the position, they are a reasonable matchup-based option given the pass-rush consistency and improving interception numbers.
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Questions drafters ask
The model projects 121.4 points and a draft value of -24.4, which places them below replacement level for the DST position in a 12-team half-PPR format. They rank DST10 and #136 overall in Tier 9. That profile fits a streaming option rather than a locked-in starter you spend a meaningful pick on.
Very consistent by the numbers: 48 sacks in 2023, 45 in 2024, and 45 in 2025, for a three-year average of 46. That is one of the more stable sack totals in the recent historical record provided.
The interception trend is the clearest upside signal: 9 in 2023, 15 in 2024, 19 in 2025, averaging 14.3 over three years. In 2024, opponents were held to 14-20 points in seven games and 35-plus in only one. A season where that takeaway pace holds and the defense limits high-scoring games represents the ceiling for this unit.
The Chargers are on bye in Week 7. Since the model projects them as a below-replacement-level DST at -24.4 draft value, having a streaming plan for that week is straightforward: you will likely be managing the position week-to-week regardless.
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Beyond the numbers
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