Omar Navarro
The Chargers selected Arizona safety Genesis Smith in the fourth round (No. 131 overall) in the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler, who had him as a Top 10 safety prospect, offered the following breakdown of Smith:
He has a natural center-field skill set because of his ability to read the quarterback and range toward the football. Similar in ways to Callen Bullock, he has starter-level upside if he makes the necessary improvements.
The selection of Smith gives the Chargers another secondary piece for 2026 and beyond, as Smith now joins a room spearheaded by All-Pro Derwin James, Jr. and the likes of Elijah Molden, Tony Jefferson and RJ Mickens.
The 21-year-old Smith is listed at 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds.
Smith is coming off a year as a Third-Team All-Big 12 selection after leading the Wildcats with two forced fumbles in 2025.
The safety had a track record of production in his 37 career games at Arizona with five interceptions, 14 passes defensed and four forced fumbles.
