The first week of free agency has been underwhelming for the LA Chargers. While fans in the know knew not to expect top-of-the-market spending, the team's overall avoidance of even mid-market options in key areas was a bit surprising.
General manager Joe Hortiz is clearly betting on his coaching staff's vision to get the most out of the players he has signed thus far. He's also putting a lot of weight on the 2026 NFL Draft, which has to address the areas that the Chargers haven't addressed thus far in free agency.
A lot can and will change before the draft, especially if the Chargers make moves in areas of need. But after the first week of moves, here is our best guess on what the first four rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft could look like for the Chargers using Pro Football Focus' Mock Draft Simulator.
Chargers mock draft following first week of free agency:
Round 1, pick 22: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Chargers understandably let Odafe Oweh walk in free agency as he signed a four-year, $100 million contract with the Washington Commanders. As great as he was in his short time in LA, the Chargers are justified in not wanting to spend nine figures on him in free agency.
Los Angeles has an impending Tuli Tuipulotu extension to make and needs to find long-term, cost-controlled assets. Khalil Mack has returned for another season but it very well could be his last. Thus, edge rusher is a premier need.
Here, the Chargers find their third edge rusher and long-term Oweh replacement in Keldric Faulk. Faulk was an elite run defender on the edge for Auburn who is a developing pass rusher who still logged 30 pressures on PFF last season. He won't come in and be a 10-sack player, but he is someone who can play every down and can be kicked inside on passing downs when Mack is on the field.
The play here is to get someone malleable enough to make an impact in year one as a third edge rusher with the traits to develop into something greater. Faulk checks those boxes.
Ronud 2, pick 55: Caleb Tiernan, OT
Offensive tackle may seem like a wild pick here but there is great reasoning for it. Joe Hortiz told team reporters before free agency that there are several tackles they like in the NFL Draft to kick inside to guard. Tiernan is undoubtedly one of the tackles who will likely play guard in the NFL.
Tiernan was highly productive as a tackle for Northwestern but has the athletic makeup and traits of a guard, which pushes his draft stock down into the late second round.
The six-foot-eight offensive lineman would benefit a lot from playing next to either Rashawn Slater or Joe Alt and gives the Chargers another break glass in case of emergency option at tackle down the line if need be. The Chargers absolutely have to draft a lineman in the first two rounds, and Tiernan makes good sense here.
Round 3, pick 86: Anthony Hill Jr, LB
Hortiz picks the best player available more often than not and that's the logic behind this selection. Anthony Hill Jr. is a legitimately exciting linebacker prospect who has the potential to come in right away and make an impact on the right defense.
It also works out that the Chargers have a need for a third linebacker. Denzel Perryman will almost certainly leave the team this offseason, leaving Daiyan Henley and Junior Colson as the primary starting options. Del'Shawn Phillips is also on the roster after being re-signed, but he is so productive on special teams that he won't play much defense.
The 21-year-old Texas linebacker has NFL size and athleticism with promising film to boot. He would be a good pickup for the Chargers in the third round.
Round 4, pick 123: Bud Clark, S
Bud Clark is an older prospect, and that's a good thing here. Clark has played six seasons with TCU and gained experience that will almost certainly help his jump to the NFL. His long-term ceiling isn't as high as an older prospect, but he is much more ready to make an immediate impact than a 21-year-old fourth-round pick.
The Chargers need someone who can make an immediate impact and can be good over the next four years. This isn't a pick that is trying to find the next great safety for the next eight years. This is a pick meant to improve the team now and in the near future.
What makes Clark even more intriguing is his versatility. TCU used him as a safety, but there is real possibility with his athletic makeup that he can play cornerback in certain coverages and formations. That's exactly what defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary is looking for. View this as an addition to the secondary as a whole, not just at safety.