Omar Navarro

The Chargers have turned their attention to the 2026 offseason.

The Bolts head into the2026 NFL Draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh, with five selections starting with No. 22 overall.

Take a look at who draft analysts have the Chargers selecting in the draft as of mid-January.

The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed below represent those of individual authors and do not represent the opinions or policies of the Chargers' organization, front office staff, coaches and executives.

Nate Tice & Charles McDonald,Yahoo SportsDT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

Last updated: January 19, 2026

Another quality defensive tackle in this year's class, and it's exactly what the Chargers need (besides health). Even if defensive coordinator Jesse Minter leaves, it's a good bet the Chargers won't verge too far from his scheme, and they've lacked the beef on the inside to hold up against the better run teams in the NFL. McDonald would do just that: eat double-teams for his faster teammates to make plays and create more third-and-longs to help put the screws on passing games.

Gordon McGuinness,Pro Football FocusG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Last updated: January 19, 2026

Ioane is the best pure guard in this class, having logged an elite 90.9 PFF pass-blocking grade on true pass sets in 2025. He would immediately upgrade the unit and provide more protection for quarterback Justin Herbert.

Dane Brugler,The AthleticCB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

Last updated: January 15, 2026

Cisse should be one of the "winners" at the combine, thanks to his explosive testing potential. The 6-foot, 190-pound corner shows an easy transition out of his pedal and has no trouble staying hip to hip with receivers, up and down the field.

The Chargers have a crowded cornerback room, but a lack of consistency could make the position an early target on draft weekend.

Josh Edwards,CBS SportsIOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Last updated: January 19, 2026

Vega Ioane is a powerful guard who embodies what Jim Harbaugh wants from the position. TruMedia credited him with zero sacks and four pressures allowed this season, both among the best marks in college football.

FOX Sports Research,FOX SportsEDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma

Last updated: January 20, 2026

Thomas is one of three SEC players to have recorded over 15 sacks and three forced fumbles in the last two seasons, and has demonstrated elite speed off the edge. While he's a bit undersized at 6-2, he's an ideal fit for a Chargers defense that needs a speed-rusher.

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz,USA TodayDT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

Last updated: January 19, 2026

Adding McDonald would mark a massive step toward better commanding the line of scrimmage, as defenses have to spend considerable attention and resources to ensure he doesn't bully his way into the backfield.

Vinnie Iyer,Sporting NewsDT Caleb Banks, Florida

Last updated: January 19, 2026

The Chargers need to beef up both lines for Jim Harbaugh but defense can come first, hoping that they can just get healthy at offensive tackle. Banks is very quick and nimble for his big frame to disrupt a lot of plays.

Ryan Wilson,CBS SportsLB CJ Allen, Georgia

Last updated: January 14, 2026

Allen is a consistent problem for offensive linemen trying to block him because of his combination of speed, quickness and power. He has a nose for the ball, rarely takes false steps, and is a reliable, physical tackler who limits yards after contact all over the field. He can more than hold his own in coverage vs. TEs and slot receivers, and he brings juice as a blitzer, too.

Mike Renner,CBS SportsDL Caleb Banks, Florida

Last updated: January 7, 2026

Caleb Banks might be the biggest wild card in the draft class. He's a fifth-year defensive tackle who's averaged fewer than 200 snaps per season for his career and played only 96 this fall with a foot injury. The high-end reps he has for a 6-foot-6, 330-pounder, though, are jaw-dropping.

Jordan Reid,ESPNOT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

Last updated: January 6, 2026

I've talked with multiple scouts about Proctor in recent weeks, and opinions on the 6-foot-7, 366-pound lineman remain all over the place. Many believe he'll be picked in the top 25 because of his size and flashes of improved play, and several referred to Proctor's upside as a guard. That's where he would play with the Chargers, who should have bookend tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt healthy and ready to go next season. Proctor fits the Chargers' mentality as a tough, physical blocker who could help the interior protection of quarterback Justin Herbert.

Danny Kelly,The RingerDT A'Mauri Washington, Oregon

Last updated: January 6, 2026

The Chargers bolster their interior defensive line with a high-upside prospect in Washington, who has just one year of starting experience but possesses a rare combination of size and athleticism. The Ducks standout is a mountain of a man (listed at 6-foot-3, 330 pounds) with very quick feet and an explosive first step. He overwhelms blockers against the run and flashes the ability to shoot into the pocket as a pass rusher.

Nick Baumgardner,The AthleticDT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

Last updated: January 5, 2026

McDonald was a big-time riser this season as a stout performer versus both the run and pass. His athleticism would be very exciting in the middle of Jesse Minter's defense.

BR NFL Draft Scouting Dept.,Bleacher ReportIOL Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

Last updated: January 5, 2026

Slater and Alt's eventual returns should only be the tip of the iceberg. The Chargers can keep adding to their front five and become the bully they really want to be under Jim Harbaugh's direction.

A team isn't going to find many offensive line prospects bigger and more physical than the 6'7" 360-ish-pound Kadyn Proctor.

Rob Rang,Fox SportsG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Last updated: January 5, 2026

Even if you believe (as I do) that season-ending injuries to offensive linemen Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater are more bad luck than body breakdowns, we all know what Jim Harbaugh believes: The offensive line is always the priority. Ioane might be the perfect combination of following Harbaugh's vision and protecting Justin Herbert. The 6-foot-4, 328-pound Ioane is a human block of granite, wedging himself into the turf in pass protection and rolling downhill through opponents in the running game.