- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,150,716
- Reaction score
- 59
The Chargers are looking to make a deep playoff run in 2026 with Jim Harbaugh in his third season as head coach and Mike McDaniel as the new offensive coordinator.
If the Bolts want to succeed in the postseason, there's still some work to be done following the first wave of free agency. The front office will still have to find a starting guard, edge rusher, and defensive tackle in order to look like a true contender.
Chargers Wire has rounded up the latest 2026 NFL mock drafts, where experts believe the Chargers will draft a guard or a defensive need with the No. 22 overall pick.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: "Even with Khalil Mack back for another season, it's time to plan for a future that won't include the 35-year-old. Parker would keep the Bolts' pass rush well stocked after Odafe Oweh's departure and give Jim Harbaugh a refined eventual replacement for Mack."
Vic Tafur: "His teammates and coaches will be in for a treat, as not only can Ioane push defensive tackles around, but he is also an accomplished baker."
Field Yates: "In this year's deep safety class, McNeil-Warren has a strong shot to be the third one off the board in the first round. He is extremely fluid and long, with great play vision and natural disruption skills. He forced three fumbles in 2025, while recording 12 pass breakups and five interceptions over the past three seasons.
"The Chargers have needs at edge and guard to address in the draft, but safety is a sneaky area where they need to get younger. Derwin James Jr. will be a 30-year-old free agent next offseason."
Charles Davis: "The Chargers have been remaking their interior offensive line. Ioane would be a nice, nasty additional piece."
Josh Edwards: "Vega Ioane this late into the first round would be considered one of the best values. Ioane lacks positional versatility, but the Chargers only need him to play guard. He has a physical play style which should be endearing to head coach Jim Harbaugh."
Ben Arthur: "The Chargers would love to get offensive line help here, but a blue-chip defensive tackle could be viewed as more valuable than the fifth- or sixth-best O-lineman in the back half of the first round. A unanimous first-team All-American, McDonald had 65 tackles (nine for loss), three sacks and two forced fumbles en route to being named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year."
Luke Easterling: "Getting both of their starting tackles back from season-ending injuries will be a huge help, but the Chargers still need to upgrade the interior of their offensive line to ensure Justin Herbert remains well-protected in 2026 and beyond. Proctor is one of the most intriguing prospects in this class, thanks to his rare combination of size, power and athleticism, but his development will take patience. After playing tackle for the Tide, Proctor might be best suited to slide inside at the next level, where his strength and movement skills could make him an All-Pro down the road."
Jacob Infante: Arguably, the top guard in the 2026 NFL Draft went right before the Los Angeles Chargers in this mock, robbing them of a chance to make a needed upgrade along the interior offensive line. However, with Khalil Mack in the tail end of his career, it would make a lot of sense to invest along the defensive line to find his successor.
With a starting opportunity now in his reach at Texas A&M, Cashius Howell lived up to the hype in 2025. He finished the regular season with an SEC-leading 11.5 sacks, and he’s displayed tremendous acceleration and flexibility off the edge. Howell’s arms aren’t incredibly long, but there’s a lot there to be excited about with him on tape.
Gavino Borquez: "The Chargers re-signed Khalil Mack to a one-year deal. However, this position group still needs more juice, and they have to be thinking about the long haul with a running mate to play opposite Tuli Tuipulotu, given that this could be Mack’s final year. Parker is a physical edge rusher who can get after the quarterback and do the dirty work against the run. He finished with 21.5 sacks at Clemson."
Curt Popejoy: "The Chargers secondary is solid but not spectacular at any cornerback spot and there is always room to upgrade. Terrell was the star of the Clemson secondary last season and fits perfectly in a modern NFL defense."
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Chargers address key roster needs
Continue reading...
If the Bolts want to succeed in the postseason, there's still some work to be done following the first wave of free agency. The front office will still have to find a starting guard, edge rusher, and defensive tackle in order to look like a true contender.
Chargers Wire has rounded up the latest 2026 NFL mock drafts, where experts believe the Chargers will draft a guard or a defensive need with the No. 22 overall pick.
USA Today: T.J. Parker, DE/OLB, Clemson
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: "Even with Khalil Mack back for another season, it's time to plan for a future that won't include the 35-year-old. Parker would keep the Bolts' pass rush well stocked after Odafe Oweh's departure and give Jim Harbaugh a refined eventual replacement for Mack."
The Athletic: Vega Ioane, G, Penn State
Vic Tafur: "His teammates and coaches will be in for a treat, as not only can Ioane push defensive tackles around, but he is also an accomplished baker."
ESPN: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Field Yates: "In this year's deep safety class, McNeil-Warren has a strong shot to be the third one off the board in the first round. He is extremely fluid and long, with great play vision and natural disruption skills. He forced three fumbles in 2025, while recording 12 pass breakups and five interceptions over the past three seasons.
"The Chargers have needs at edge and guard to address in the draft, but safety is a sneaky area where they need to get younger. Derwin James Jr. will be a 30-year-old free agent next offseason."
NFL.com: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
Charles Davis: "The Chargers have been remaking their interior offensive line. Ioane would be a nice, nasty additional piece."
CBS Sports: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
Josh Edwards: "Vega Ioane this late into the first round would be considered one of the best values. Ioane lacks positional versatility, but the Chargers only need him to play guard. He has a physical play style which should be endearing to head coach Jim Harbaugh."
FOX Sports: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Ben Arthur: "The Chargers would love to get offensive line help here, but a blue-chip defensive tackle could be viewed as more valuable than the fifth- or sixth-best O-lineman in the back half of the first round. A unanimous first-team All-American, McDonald had 65 tackles (nine for loss), three sacks and two forced fumbles en route to being named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year."
Athlon Sports: Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama
Luke Easterling: "Getting both of their starting tackles back from season-ending injuries will be a huge help, but the Chargers still need to upgrade the interior of their offensive line to ensure Justin Herbert remains well-protected in 2026 and beyond. Proctor is one of the most intriguing prospects in this class, thanks to his rare combination of size, power and athleticism, but his development will take patience. After playing tackle for the Tide, Proctor might be best suited to slide inside at the next level, where his strength and movement skills could make him an All-Pro down the road."
Pro Football Sports Network: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Jacob Infante: Arguably, the top guard in the 2026 NFL Draft went right before the Los Angeles Chargers in this mock, robbing them of a chance to make a needed upgrade along the interior offensive line. However, with Khalil Mack in the tail end of his career, it would make a lot of sense to invest along the defensive line to find his successor.
With a starting opportunity now in his reach at Texas A&M, Cashius Howell lived up to the hype in 2025. He finished the regular season with an SEC-leading 11.5 sacks, and he’s displayed tremendous acceleration and flexibility off the edge. Howell’s arms aren’t incredibly long, but there’s a lot there to be excited about with him on tape.
Touchdown Wire: TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Gavino Borquez: "The Chargers re-signed Khalil Mack to a one-year deal. However, this position group still needs more juice, and they have to be thinking about the long haul with a running mate to play opposite Tuli Tuipulotu, given that this could be Mack’s final year. Parker is a physical edge rusher who can get after the quarterback and do the dirty work against the run. He finished with 21.5 sacks at Clemson."
Draft Wire: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Curt Popejoy: "The Chargers secondary is solid but not spectacular at any cornerback spot and there is always room to upgrade. Terrell was the star of the Clemson secondary last season and fits perfectly in a modern NFL defense."
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Chargers address key roster needs
Continue reading...
