Omar Navarro
The New League Year is almost here, as movement around the NFL has already begun.
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 early February.
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.
Dane Brugler,The Athletic- CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Last updated: March 4, 2026
This is a value pick for the Chargers. McCoy, now more than a year removed from ACL surgery, didn't work out at the combine and remains a wild card in this class. There might be a discount sticker on his tag come draft weekend.
Second round (No. 55): GChase Bisontis, Texas A&M
Nick Baumgardner,The AthleticIOL Vega Ioane, Penn State
Last updated: March 9, 2026
The Chargers just dropped Mekhi Becton after a disappointing 2025 campaign, and Jim Harbaugh's run game is always in need of more hammers. And Ioane is the best interior hammer in the draft. This would be a steal at No. 22.
Bucky Brooks,FOX Sports- DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Last updated: March 9, 2026
The addition of a disruptive interior defender could help the Chargers' edge rushers face more one-on-one matchups. McDonald's violent hands and energetic approach could create problems for blockers at the line of scrimmage.
Max Chadwick,Pro Football Focus- IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Last updated: March 9, 2026
The Chargers' offensive line, marred by injuries, was the league's worst front this season. While the return of tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt will improve the unit, Los Angeles also fielded the lowest-graded interior in the NFL. Enter Ioane, who allowed no sacks or hits across his 311 pass-blocking snaps in 2025.
Second round (No. 55):WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia
Third round (No. 86):DL Domonique Orange, Iowa State
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz,USA Today- CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Last updated: March 10, 2026
Even after the Bolts signed center Tyler Biadasz prior to free agency, the interior line still looks like the team's biggest potential pain point. But with Ioane off the board and a fairly precipitous drop at the position after him, Los Angeles shouldn't force the issue on the first day of the draft. Instead, the Chargers can give new defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary a corner who's well-versed in press-man coverage in Terrell.
Charles Davis,NFL.com- G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Last updated: March 5, 2026
Ioane might be picked much earlier in Round 1, so the Chargers should be thrilled if he's still available. He's exactly what they need up front: a hammer on the interior.
Geoff Schwartz,FOX Sports- DT Caleb Banks, Florida
Last updated: March 5, 2026
I'm curious what the Chargers would do here if they felt an offensive lineman was the pick. I'm sure they'd love it if Proctor was still available. But with no offensive lineman, they take a defensive tackle they desperately need. Banks is a big boy and takes up a ton of space with power and strength.
Christian D'Andrea,For The Win- LB CJ Allen, Georgia
Last updated: March 6, 2026
That's Allen, who can be the trustworthy star in the middle of Jim Harbaugh's solar system. He can handle pass rushing duties as well as lock down the middle of the field in coverage or against the run. He's not huge at 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, but he moves quickly and fluidity, rarely crossing himself up and sticking to receivers in coverage.
Tom Fornelli,CBS Sports- OL Spencer Fano, Utah
Last updated: March 5, 2026
Spencer Fano takes a tumble compared to where I had him in my last mock, but it's not because I like him less. It's because teams seem rattled about arm length at OT after watching Will Campbell get wrecked in the Super Bowl. Fano could be best suited as a guard in the NFL, and that's where I think the Chargers would put him.
Danny Kelly,The Ringer- OL Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Last updated: March 4, 2026
The Chargers' offensive line was devastated by injuries in 2025, and last offseason's signing of Mekhi Becton didn't play out as hoped. This team needs reinforcements in the trenches. Proctor is a mountain of a man who could line up wherever he's needed in L.A., but most likely fits best at one of the guard spots. He brings the power to move people off the line and should help provide a cleaner pocket for Justin Herbert going forward.
