Chargers Stock Report: Who’s Rising and Who’s Falling After a 0‑5 Start

The Los Angeles Chargers haven’t exactly been lighting up the scoreboard this season – 0‑5 after five weeks feels like a dark cloud hanging over SoFi Stadium. Still, even in a slump you can spot a few flickers of promise and a couple of dimming lights.

Riser #1 – Kimani Vidal

Let’s start with the guy who actually gave fans something to cheer about on Sunday – running back Kimani Vidal. With the top five wideouts sidelined and the offensive line stretched thin, Vidal stepped up like a kid on a trampoline, bouncing around for eight carries, piling up 57 yards and, yes, finding the end zone. He also threw some solid blocks on Justin Herbert’s scrambles, which, honestly, is the kind of gritty work that slowly earns a coach’s trust.

Faller #1 – Oronde Gadsden II

On the flip side, rookie‑turned‑sophomore tight end Oronde Gadsden II looks like he’s lost his spark. Last season he was a quiet weapon, but this year he’s barely on the radar – one target all game, even though the Chargers were practically naked at receiver. If you asked most fans, they’d say he’s fading fast.

Riser #2 – Charlie Kolar

Charlie Kolar came back from a forearm injury and immediately made his presence felt. He snagged three receptions for 37 yards – the most on the team – and even pulled off a key block in the running game. Sure, he slipped a ball and fumbled after a big catch, but that’s a learning curve, not a career verdict.

Faller #2 – Keaton Mitchell

Running back Keaton Mitchell is still getting a lot of looks, yet the numbers tell a different story. Six carries for a meager 11 yards (that’s just 1.8 yards per attempt) and three catches for 18 yards isn’t exactly what you hoped for when you drafted him for his explosive runs. The Chargers brought him in to break off big gains, and so far, those gains haven’t materialized.

Riser #3 – Akheem Mesidor

And then there’s Akheem Mesidor, the 2026 first‑round pick playing on the edge. He’s already racking up sacks, forced fumbles, and led the team with eight tackles in Week 5. If the Chargers need a cornerstone for the future, Mesidor might just be the guy they can build around for 2027 and beyond.

Bottom line: the Chargers are still searching for a spark, but at least a handful of players are turning heads. Whether they can translate those flashes into wins remains to be seen, but the story isn’t over yet.