When the NFL Draft dust settles, the real gems are often found in the undrafted free agent market. For the Los Angeles Chargers, that hidden treasure might just be former Oregon offensive tackle Isaiah World.

While seven Oregon Ducks heard their names called during the 2026 NFL Draft, World slipped through the cracks—but don't let that fool you. The 6-foot-5, 323-pound tackle with 34 ½-inch arms brings the kind of raw power that gets offensive line coaches excited. His explosiveness out of his stance is something you simply can't teach.

Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic sees World as a potential steal for the Chargers, especially under the guidance of head coach Jim Harbaugh and new offensive line coach Butch Barry. "World has the traits of a top-100 player," Baumgardner noted. "His technique is erratic, but if anyone can spin a project like World into gold, it's Jim Harbaugh."

World's journey to the pros is a story of resilience. After four seasons at Nevada, he transferred to Oregon for his final collegiate year, where his massive frame initially had scouts projecting him as a first-round pick. On the left side of the Ducks' line, he was instrumental in building a top-20 rushing offense while keeping quarterback Dante Moore clean, allowing just one sack and 18 pressures in pass protection.

But football is a game of adjustments. World struggled against elite Big Ten pass rushers, particularly during Oregon's matchup with Indiana, where his anchor in pass protection was exposed. Then came the devastating blow: an ACL injury during the Peach Bowl against those same Hoosiers, sending his draft stock into freefall.

Here's where the Chargers story gets interesting. Los Angeles has been desperate to protect former Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert, who took a league-high 54 sacks in 2025—the second-most in the NFL. The return of Pro Bowl tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt from injury should help, but the Chargers are leaving nothing to chance. They used four of their eight draft picks on offensive linemen and now add a high-upside project in World.

For World, the path to the roster is clear: stay healthy, refine that technique, and let Harbaugh's coaching work its magic. If he does, this undrafted free agent could become the Chargers' best-kept secret.