2026 NFL Draft: Why the Chargers selected DT Nick Barrett

The fifth round has been the money round for the Chargers under GM Joe Hortiz, with cornerback Tarheeb Still and tight end Oronde Gadsden II contributing right away from that round as rookies in 2024 and 2025.

The Chargers added to their defensive line rotation with their fifth-rounder this year, selecting South Carolina defensive tackle Nick Barrett with the 145th overall selection.

Barrett will play nose and 1-technique for the Chargers after playing 1 and 2i for South Carolina in 2025, his lone season as a starter. The former Gamecock spent his first four seasons as a reserve player before breaking through with 42 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and a pass deflection. Barrett was also a team captain and had a 17-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown this season.

With good size at 6'2", 312 lbs, Barrett has powerful hands to control his blocker when only one man comes at him and keeps his gap clogged more often than not. The strength and conditioning MVP at South Carolina in 2025, Barrett is also a decent lateral mover to track zone blocks and has long levers to push blockers off his frame.

His lack of experience - he has less than 1,000 defensive snaps in his career - and poor pass-rush ability drove him down the board. Barrett only had 14 pressures in his college career across 51 games, in large part because he is a bit slow to react to the snap. But as a potential replacement for Otito Ogbonnia as a rotational defensive tackle, Barrett's high motor in limited run will give the Chargers a bit of a boost in run defense. Moving Teair Tart and Jamaree Caldwell out to 3-technique more often to leverage their pass-rush ability may be in the cards, given the Barrett selection and LA's earlier free-agent signing of Dalvin Tomlinson.